The Orbit Magazine Anthology: Re-Entry (Painted Turtle Press)

There's so much great nostalgia within the pages of this awesome, incredibly well-crafted book. Being from Detroit, I grew up with, not only Orbit magazine but, also Fun and White Noise magazine's, the predecessors of Orbit. This book covers them all in chronological order, mainly focusing on Orbit but, covering Fun and White Noise with fond, fun memories. The book is a perfectly balanced collection of the history of Orbit, including bands, films (and the creation of Chris Gore's notorious indie film mag, Film Threat), art and the artists, comics, concerts, events, shops, comedy, food (from fine dining to the greasiest spoon), local celebrities (iconic and strange) legal troubles (Orbit got in some trouble... and who doesn't like reading about local scandal?) and other underground (and some very predominant) history of Detroit and the culture in and around the great Motor City. The book highlights and celebrates Detroit and the Do-It-Yourself attitude it has always had within the arts, music, film and cultural history of my home town. We not only get classic articles and film reviews (including Orbit's review of Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" which was the first in the country), we get fabulous art work from local artists like Glenn Barr (who did a bunch of Orbit covers and Royal Oak, MI Dave's Comics ads... closed long ago but, always a treat when reading Orbit and, cool to see a bunch within this publication), Niagara (Detroit rocker chic and world known artist), just to name a few. Tons of photos, old clothing store ads (Noir Leather, anyone?), wacky comics and past articles, both funny and poignant, top this collection of Detroit retrospect off perfectly. Let's not forget about the many a band and performer featured within the pages of Orbit (and the others)... we get the best of the best write-ups about many local and national acts. If THAT wasn't enough... we CAN NOT forget about local punk poet, Jimmy Doom in a centerfold that would make Burt Reynolds hair piece spin like a pinwheel in a hurricane, the worldy and mystical advice of Jingo, the smartest baby in the world and Orby, the Globe-Headed mascot of probably one of the greatest underground magazines ever created (People used to dress up as Orby at Orbit sponsored events in Detroit... he was Detroit's Mickey Mouse or Chuck E. Cheese but, with liquor usually involved... Hell, even I wore the giant foam head once or twice back in the day). It's really not only a huge slice of Detroit life (I got chills of nostalgia and a bit home sick for the way Detroit used to be when I read it) but, history... one of the best tangible publications in a world where everyone is reading on-line. Give me an Orbit mag any day over anything the internet can provide. Even if you're not from Detroit, it's a must have just for the articles about the bands and the music scene (punk and other wise) coming out of Detroit since the 1970's... Do yourself a favor, pick a copy up. Mine's sitting on my coffee table as I type this. Rob St. Mary and Jerry Vile (along with Wayne State University Press) did an incredible job. I hope they do a sequel. Thanks Rob and Jerry!

Great book! Not being from Detroit it made me appreciate what Jerry Vile was trying to do in the free press from the late-70s to the late-90s.

Could not put this one down. The pictures and the commentary took me back to the good old days of Detroit music, art and culture. Insightful and always hilarious. BRAVO!!!

My son loved this book...counterculture at its best

It's great to see Detroit's most beloved artist, Jerry Vile and his publications get the recognition they deserve. Wayne State University and Rob St.Mary do a great job documenting the historical and cultural importance of the Orbit Magazine and the artist in this anthology. This publication floated somewhere between the underground and the edge of mainstream, but the attitude was totally subterranean. Orbit Magazine made Detroit fun, which happens to be the name of the publication which came before Orbit, which also is covered in the book (as is White Noise, the punk rock publication that started it all). Not only does Orbit provide a highly interesting and sarcastic view of Detroit and 1990s, the humor still holds up today.

The Orbit Magazine Anthology truly is a labor of love. It captures the punk attitude of Jerry Vile and his lovely band of misfits in creating a trio of magazines that once gave Detroit a truly alternative source for news and humor. I grew up reading FUN (and later Orbit) and still hold some of the jokes and articles in high regard. Author Rob St. Mary does a terrific job documenting the rise (and fall) of Vile's work while also capturing a slice of Detroit history.

If you have any interest in the recent history of Detroit's music, underground art and indie publishing, then this is the book you need. Filled with amazing insights and great images from the seminal Detroit art mag of the 90's and from that magazine's over-accomplished creator, Jerry Vile. Just shut up and buy it. It's sooooooo good.

This book rocks.