‘Lake Gary’ by Paul Southworth is a graphic novel comprised of a series of comic strips about a grumpy mutant fish.

Gary is a fish man living in a toxic lake who just wants to be left alone. Instead, he has to interact with a robot, a scheming evil scientist and others who want to study him, clone him and just generally annoy him. Themes of environmentalism and current politics run throughout.

I didn’t find this very funny, even though it’s supposed to be. The art and characters are unique and maybe you will find it more entertaining than I did.

Getting to know Gary, Blank and Dr Elliott Williams was a delight. Gary is a mutant man-fish who lives at the bottom of, and sometimes on the shore of, a radioactive lake. Blank is the robot who was sent from the future to stop climate change, but Gary hit him over the head and he lost his memory (poor design, honestly, future people). Dr Elliott Williams is the genius who wants to study Gary and also do great things. This book is about how they come to meet and become friends, and then also all of their adventures, from dealing with aliens to questions of settler colonialism. Also, Gary’s love interest, and occasional offspring (not the same thing, don’t worry).

It’s quirky, and fun, and you’ll laugh at the real-world parallels and political commentary (unless you’re of a certain inclination, I guess). And now I’m hunting for more, because—tremendous world-building! 5⭐!

Huge thanks to Letter Better/Iron Circus Comics and NetGalley for early access.

Thanks NetGalley,

The artwork reminds me of something and I just can't place it but this is a fantastic graphic novel and giggled my way all the way through it. I really enjoyed how they tied in current events to work in the weird little toxic lake environment. It made it that much better when you connect the references some are more subtle than other but it was downright hilarious. I will definitely recommend this to others.