This compact volume from France's Masala Noir gathers over 200 covers produced for international mod zines, offering a rich visual archive that traces the style, creativity, and DIY ethos of Mod culture.

Mod, short for modernist, is a British subculture that emerged in late 1950s London, centered on sharp, tailored fashion, modern jazz, and motor scooters like Vespas and Lambrettas. Defined by its clean, stylish aesthetic and love for graphic patterns and bold typography, Mod culture's visual identity reflects the energy and sophistication of its music and club scene, centered around jazz, northern soul, rhythm and blues, ska, and rocksteady.

Modzines provides a fascinating lens into the self-published zines and newsletters that celebrated and chronicled the Mod scene and its reinventions. Layouts, type choices, and art direction reveal how a subculture defined itself, communicated its values, and expressed its evolving identity.

Published by Masala Noir, 2024

Softcover, 216 pages, b&w, 5.25 × 6.25 inches