Zines, short for magazines, have a long and interesting history in Grand Rapids, Mich. The typically small-scale, homemade periodicals are popular in subcultures and counter-culture. Most definitions of zines include that they are typically small-circulation, self-published, and often inexpensive or free. Subject matter ranges from fanzines focused on a genre of music or pop culture to full story comic books and political tracts. After decades of existence, zines are no longer strictly counter-culture, but they originated as small-scale DIY efforts—many with an anti-authoritarian message.

The first zine is traced back to a 1930s title by the Science Correspondence Club in Chicago. It was called "The Comet," and it started a long-lasting trend of sci-fi related zines. Early zines were produced using mimeographs but the process was impractical for large-scale production. In the 1970s however Xerox and copy shops made producing zines easier and cheaper which led to an explosion of zine production, mostly in the punk music subculture.

In the 1990s, zines flourished again thanks to the punk music riot grrrl scene and home computers and printers. As an alternative to the male-driven punk world, riot grrrl encouraged girls and women to start their own band, make their own zine, and get their voices heard. These zines were about much more than music but were also about feminism and empowerment.

Today, there are zines on nearly every topic one could imagine. The feminist zine is still alive and well in Grand Rapids, Mich. zine's like "The Bandit Zine" while other zines focus on relationships, poetry, art, and general musings about life. With modern printers and graphic art computer programs, zines have become more complex and appear more professional.

Arnold, Chloe. A Brief History of Zines. November 19, 2016. Accessed June 25, 2018. http://mentalfloss.com/article/88911/brief-history-zines.