I really hit the jackpot when it came to table neighbors at KC Zine Con #8. Sometimes you get stuck in a lonely corner, or are seated next to a churlish hipster or a dude bro, but nah… this year, I really feel like I hit the jackpot! I shared a table with my good friend Heather — sharing a table with a friend all but guarantees you a good time — and to our right sat Barbara Lane Tharas and their partner Stephanie. Barb and Stephanie are, hands down, two of the nicest folks I’ve ever met at a zine fest. We spent the day chatting about our art practices and our cats (and their many silly nicknames), and as the hours flew by, we made a buncha zine trades… which is how I got my paws on “Fitting In”.

A memoir comix, “Fitting In” shares Barb’s experiences as a fat kid dealing with rude adults who don’t realize (or just don’t care) that their fatphobic language is being heard and absorbed by the kiddos in their stead. Barb’s googly-eyed figures and vibrant watercolors pop off the page, striking a perfect balance between cartoon silliness and realism. And while the story is heartbreaking, it’s ultimately triumphant: Barb makes friends with fellow fat folks who make them feel safe, able to relax and have fun without feeling judged or excluded. The zine ends with a list of fantastic resources that Barb used to combat their own internalized fatphobia. This is a great zine with a great message – a must read.