Chewing on Tinfoil

Lynne Perras teaches communication arts at the University of Calgary.

This collection of nine illustrated comic tales by Hamilton-based artist
Joe Ollmann combines visual entertainment and amusing commentary on
modern urban life.

The stories explore a broad range of themes. “Giant Strawberry
Funland” deals with family dynamics, focusing on sibling rivalry,
teenage romance, and father–son conflict. “Like Something Akin to
the Sistine Chapel, but with Cows” chronicles an interracial love
affair, while “Fire Sale” details the reactions of a suspected
arsonist and his wife when a used bookstore burns down. “Death Wears
Inexpensive Loafers” tells the story of a couple who watch the
personification of death wait for a car accident to occur. In “God,”
the Deity is presented as a pudgy, street-wise little figure who talks
directly to the protagonist.

The humor that underscores the social commentary ranges from slapstick
to satire and is generally effective, although some stories are less
resonant than others. Ollmann’s expressive, imaginative drawings
nicely capture his flawed yet colorful characters.