Burn Collector

Burn Collector is a perzine written and illustrated by Al Burian, who is also known as the vocalist and guitarist for the post-hardcore bands Milemarker and Challenger. He began writing the zine in the mid-1990s as a way to document his life on tour and his personal struggles. Burian's work is highly regarded in the DIY punk and indie zine communities.

The zine features intensely personal, autobiographical essays covering Burian's reflections on life, music, travel, and mental health. It is known for its raw, introspective tone, dry humor, and minimalist line drawings. It diverges from typical punk music zines by focusing heavily on the author's internal emotional landscape rather than band interviews or music reviews.

Yes, issues of the zine were compiled into a paperback book titled "Burn Collector: A Collection of Zines," published by microcosm publishing. This compilation makes the early, harder-to-find issues accessible to a wider audience. Burian has also released sequels, such as "Burn Collector #16" and "Mere America," compiling later writings.

You can purchase physical copies of the zine and its book compilations directly from independent publishers like Microcosm Publishing. It is also commonly found at DIY distros, independent bookstores, and infoshops around the world. Burian often brings new issues to sell at merchandise tables when he goes on tour with his bands.