80’s Zine Archives: Preparation S #3
Issue number three of Preparation S is courtesy of the collection of Sonny Robertson of SPS fame. Preparation S is from Palestine, Texas, circa 1987. It’s all meticulously hand lettered, and almost every page is covered down to the last bit of white paper. This issue is mostly comprised of the “Staff” of Preparation S, except for a spread on Art and Steve Godoy, and a few other pics of Texas locals like future Zorlac pro Rob Mertz.
This zine was really Aaron Penland’s (AAAron) baby, and he has a good sense of humor. You’ve got to love the name “Preparation S.” I assume the “s” stands for skate. Issue three is subtitled “The Correctly Spelled Issue,” so I’m guessing they had two previous issues of “Preperation S.” Some of my favorite bits of Preparation S are Larry from Humans Against Skaters, and the multiple page photo spread of skate photos from magazines with the Preparation S crew expertly cut out and overlaid in place of the pros. And this was well before photoshop days too. All the photo credits say Swank or Brittain, and to be sure, some of the faked photos were appropriately credited, but then you get to the crappy launch ramp photos and curbs on their back patios and the credits still say Swank and Brittain… That’s a nice touch. There’s also a letter for the editor of Gulf Coast Skate Review telling Preparation S to spend more time putting together the next issue so it won’t look so crappy. I find it hard to believe, or maybe Aaaron really took it to heart because you can tell he spent a lot of time and effort making issue three, right down to the immaculate cover presentation of Corey Webster from the movie Thrashin.
Date: 1987
From: Palestine, Texas
Format: Letter sized, folded in half, stapled. White paper.
Type: Handwritten
Pages: 24
By: Aaaron Penland, Scott Gotcher, Sonny Robertson, Peyton Love, Neal French
Art: Aaaron Penland
Photos: Grant Brittain and Tod Swank (some are doctored photos, the rest I think are fake credits)
Featuring: Peyton Love, Aaaron Penland, Neal French, Rob Mertz, Art Godoy, Steve Godoy,
Spots: Dead Ditch, Palestine vert ramp, Peyton’s place, Keystone ramp, Allentown ramp, Beaumont ramp, Calow ramp in Dallas,
Check out Preparation S #3
wow, corey on the cover…so dreamy!
on the 4th spread, look for Kilwag and I in the crowd, for real. The photo is from the July 4th St Louis pro demo thing that we all went to. I can spot myself pretty easily actually.
I need to find a big scan of that original photo. I can’t believe I didn’t notice that when it came out. Transworld?
yup, in the first transworld photo annual. There’s a house of kasai ad on the 5th spread.
Wow, I just realized you can actually look at all these ‘zines you feature page by page if you click on them. Thanks!
Oh no. I was worried that some people may not have gotten that. Then I thought, nawww, surely they will be curious enough to try clicking… I guess I need to make it more obvious.
You can spot me pretty easy. Flat top and big old raybans. I think I see you, but I’m not 100% sure.
BTW, whoever lettered this zine has very nice handwriting. Randy, you want me to scan some of my zines?
Well… of course.
Since I just stumbled across this little entry, I guess I should mention that I’m the PS’s creator, Aaron (lost an “a” somewhere along the way) and living here in Portland since 2000. Seeing that I’m getting all this renewed interest in the zine, I’ve begun looking into putting out a new colorware reissue. I’m thinking neon orange laser stock.
BTW Kilwag- I still have all the old pasteups somewhere. If I run across them I’ll get you a color scan.
Stoked. Thanks Aaaaaron!