Learn to Feed Yourself with the Safety Pin Review (Action Shots 12-15)/Forward to the Eleventh Issue

Due to the sluggishness of the US Postal Service during the holiday season and my own failings as an editor/lover, Issue Eleven has not yet arrived in the capable hands of this week’s operative (and last week’s author), Ben Nadler, of Brooklyn, NY. Here’s hoping that it comes in the mail today or tomorrow. Once it does, and we get a photo, it’ll be posted on the site straightaway. Sorry for the inconvenience.

On the other hand, there WILL be a radio show today, at 4 PM EST—featuring stories from both Issues Eleven and Ten—which can be streamed here (using the Amarok # in iTunes), and which will be posted for download on the site this evening. It promises to be punky.

But in the meantime…

The War on the Homefront

Who says you can’t take the SPR home with you? In this last batch of Issue Ten Action Shots, Operative Tara and Photographer Katie show us how to whip up some vegan pancakes, as only the SPR can.

"Lost & Searching" #3

Sprinkles?! On pancakes?! FUCK YES YOU CAN.

The Thumbtacks On the Freezer Door Are Color-Coordinated (And So Are You)

Photogra-Katie worked her magic on all of these as well. Such talent.

. . .

We humbly ask, WHO ELSE could mix literature and pancakes as easily as batter and soy milk? The answer, quite unequivocally, is no one.

Thanks to Operative Tara & Company for providing the most generous helping of Action Shots yet.

Here There Be Monsters: Action Shots 9-11

Three more photos for you from downtown on the Chicago front. (These are also by Marisa Renwald.)

Globules! It Must Be Christmas!

Note the suspicious glare from one of the two brown-hatted men. He knows what’s up, but do you?

Follow the White Ribbon

Chicago: jeans capital of the US.

If You Keep Making That Face It'll Freeze That Way

A glowering lion by the Chicago Art Institute. Why is he so unhappy? Probably because of his rusty manticore tail.

Coming up next, the Safety Pin Review shows YOU how to COOK.

We Are All Afraid of Americans: Action Shots 5-8

More Action Photos of Operative Tara, beaming in from Chicago… All of these were taken by Marisa Renwald, who should be noted as an ardent David Bowie fan.

"Lost & Searching in America" #2

Belmont. Lakeview. Proof of where we are. (It’s a metaphor.) This is a neighborhood I do not know.

This Picture Is So Color-Coordinated I Can't Even Tell You

Issue Ten: featuring more action, nicer coats, and very soft, unhoodied hair. Taken in front of The Alley, tattoo studio and clothing store.

You Can't Buy Justice (Except in Chicago)

These two from outside Chicago Comics.

It's Never Too Early for Christmas

Stay tuned for even more over the next few days. Thanks to Operative Tara for being so damn photogenic.

Anonymous Children: Issue Ten Action Shots 1-4

In honor of Thanksgiving and long-lost children, we have our first four Action Shots from Issue Ten, starring Ben Nadler and Operative Tara, coordinator in all things.

"We Only Buy Wholesale, Bitches"

Riding the shopping cart this way, you could very well pose a danger to yourself and others. BUT OPERATIVE TARA DON’T CARE NOTHING. ‘Cause there are bulk foods to be bought and time’s a-wasting. (Photo by Mz. Nicolette Balcerzak, progenitor of the operative.)

Mauling #1 (Glossy Surfaces)

Here, the SPR goes malling.

Mauling #2 (Those Shoes Once Had Feet)

The preceding two artful photos were taken by Ms. Kathleen O’Dell, who has a knack for such things.

Nom Nom Nom (Nom Nom Nom)

And here’s one from the Pick Me Up Café in downtown Chicago. Allegedly, they serve the best vegan mac n’ cheese anywhere. (This photo by Marisa Renwald.)

More to come. Now go eat some food, you lovers.

Issue Ten!!

SHIT GETS REAL in Issue Ten, now playing on an operative near you. This fine story is being toted around Chicago and its surrounding suburbs by Operative Tara Balcerzak. Check it.

ISSUE TEN (11/21/11):

featuring

POW*MIA

by Ben Nadler

Operative: Tara Balcerzak (Chicago, IL)

About the author: Ben Nadler lives in Brooklyn, New York.  His writing has recently appeared or is forthcoming in Jewish Fiction, Listen Party, Harpur Palate, and The Fairy Tale Review.  His novel, “Harvitz, As To War,” was recently published by Iron Diesel Press.

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(Because I’m not in Richmond this week, there’s no radio show, but next week’s show will be a super-special and unprecedented double feature.)