As with all of Collier's work, his latest graphic novel is a combination of memoir and biography. This time, he explores his involvement in the cultural landscape of Toronto in the 1970s and 80s, specifically focusing on the life of Gary Topp, a concert promoter and founder of the pioneering Canadian repertory cinema.
Topp emerged from an immigrant background, abandoned the family textile business, and became an influential figure in the lives of an entire community. He was also Collier's first boss and mentor. Though outspoken and opinionated, Gary Topp inspired love and devotion, not only in those who worked for him, but also in the acts he booked - including the Ramones, The Police, and the Dixie Chicks.
This graphic novel looks at a rapidly disappearing past and uses Topp's ability to see beyond the mainstream for a look at where our culture is heading.

David Collier is the author of Portraits from Life, Hamilton Sketchbook, and The Frank Ritza Papers, which was nominated for a Doug Wright Award. He previously lived in Saskatoon but now lives in Hamilton. Chimo will be launched at the Brush With War exhibit at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa in December and then at Grit Lit in Hamilton and TCAF in Toronto in Spring 2011.

David Collier's profile page

Gary Topp's profile page

"When we first came to Canada there was our good ol buddy who promoted our concert down at a club called The Horseshoe, and there were only about ten people there, all from the record company. The promoters took some chances with us in the early days and now that we've made it big we are sticking with them." - Stewart Copeland, The Police
"Gary was a hand grenade of an impressario who created a counter-culture film and music scene where no one before him had dared." - Ron Mann, filmmaker, Comic Book Confidential
"Gary Topp and Gary Cormier deserve the Order of Canada. What they did in terms of their programming and putting their own money on the line changed the culture of this city." - Rob Bowman, The Flyer Vault: 150 Years of Toronto Concert History
" Topp is an important historical record that will be appreciated by ex-punks and scholars alike."
- Broken Pencil