Four graphic stories bound together by love and staples, The Tortoise is a fun and freaky collection of tales from B.C.-based artist David Lester (from the rock band Mecca Normal). There’s a good degree of political rhetoric running through these frames, with characters spewing out stats about poverty, war and other social issues on the day. Lester’s drawings are both sharp and stilted, with vaguely modernistic flare. Without the restraints of a narrative, Lester is able to mix things up and draft dialogue that reflects his own personal beliefs and agendas. It works because he keeps things brief, not drawn out or heavy-handed. The reader doesn’t have to invest a lot in picking up this publication and the discourse is clean and easy-tofollow. Admittedly, it’s kinda tough to reach any firm conclusions from this work and the reader is able to infer to his or her heart’s desire, reading and re-reading until the common themes ooze upwards out of the subtext. And on a more superficial level, The Tortoise has a really handsome beige cover that is soothing, both to the eye and to the touch. (Cameron Gordon)
Chapbook, David Lester, #1, 48 pages, c/o Smarten Up! & Get To The Point, 304-1320 Salsbury Dr, Vancouver, BC, V5L 4B3, mecca_normal.tripod.com