Zip-Dang

Zip-Dang is a vibrant emporium of the unusual in Madison, co-owned by Mike and Natalie Bass. While Natalie’s Orangyporangy line of bold, retro-inspired apparel brings a splash of color, Mike’s contributions delve into the eerie and enigmatic. A self-taught folklorist and printmaker, Mike crafts linocut-style illustrations that breathe life into tales of cryptids, ghosts, and forgotten legends. His fascination with the macabre is showcased in his book, Frightful Folklore of North America: Illustrated Folk Horror from Greenland to the Panama Canal, a collection of 100 chilling stories accompanied by his haunting artwork .

Within Zip-Dang, visitors can explore Mike’s Wisco Mythos series, a tribute to Wisconsin’s rich tapestry of folklore. From the spectral Ghost Moose of Maine to the vengeful Goatman of Texas, his pieces capture the essence of North American legends . The shop itself is a curated blend of vintage treasures, handmade goods, and peculiar artifacts, reflecting the Basses’ commitment to the “un-mass-produced unusual.” Whether you’re a collector of the arcane or simply curious, Zip-Dang offers a portal into a world where the past’s mysteries are ever-present.