Cometbus

The zine is written and self-published by Aaron Cometbus, a prominent author and figure in the Berkeley, California punk scene. He started the publication in 1981 and has handwritten nearly every issue. His intensely personal reflections on urban life have made him a legendary figure in underground publishing.

While not on a strict publishing schedule, Aaron Elliot (aka Aaron Cometbus) continues to write and release new issues sporadically. Over its decades-long run, the zine has grown from small photocopied pamphlets into thicker, bound volumes. It remains an active project, with new issues dropping every few years.

The publication is famous for its raw, highly literate prose that explores the mundane realities of squats, coffee shops, and touring in punk bands. Aaron Cometbus famously writes in a distinct, handwritten font, which gives the zine its authentic, anti-commercial aesthetic. The writing offers deeply personal reflections on urban existence and subculture.

Physical copies are primarily sold through independent zine distros, local record stores in cities like Berkeley and Portland, and directly from Aaron at punk shows. You can also find collected works and back issues through independent bookstores like Last Gasp. Because it avoids major distribution, finding an issue often requires seeking out specialized underground retailers.