Side Effect, 1993–2007.

Tami Oliphant is a Ph.D. candidate in Library and Information Studies at the University of Western Ontario.

Side Effect explores modern living from the perspective of an outsider—a dreamer prone to flights of fantasy who has some thoughtful insights about contemporary culture. Peter concludes that psychological disease is the consequence or side effect of our modern lifestyles. Reverberating throughout this book are questions and definitions about what is insane and what is sane.

This graphic novel covers 15 years of Lorenz Peter’s artistic life from 1993 to 2007. Peter’s personal journey through turbulent times and his views on modern life are reflected throughout this collection. At the same time, Side Effect documents Peter’s artistic arc. Peter’s work delves deeply into fantasy, repressed feelings, and secret desires. Many of his comics are dark, heavy drawings where monsters and monstrosities loom large. Peter escapes from the modern world through drugs, booze, and fantasy and unflinchingly reveals all his repressed feelings and thoughts in a chaotic and frenetic style. However, his style changes over the course of the years. While all of his drawings are very detailed and energetic, some evoke chaos whereas other comics are witty and lighter. Selections near the end of the book signal a move towards painting rather than drawing.

Highlights include funny selections such as “Grey Spalding the Most Boring Vampire Ever,” and “Is This What Happens When Ravers Get Older?” Peter’s cityscapes and stand-alone drawings are beautiful, and the philosophical undead (a skeleton) and unborn (a fetus) discussing the follies of human behaviour provides a glimpse into Peter’s take on culture.

The influence of, or a similar style to, other artists such as Julie Doucet is noticeable. Peter’s art is as uncompromising and as unpretentious as many great underground comic artists. Unsurprisingly, he was the 2006 winner of the Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent for Dark Adaptation. Peter’s growth as an artist is evident in Side Effect. However, the explicit nature of some comics and drawings makes this collection unsuitable for certain library collections.