Chew Volume 1: Tasters Choice
by John Layman, Rob Guillory
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Book Summary Information
Author: John Layman, Rob GuilloryBrand: Image Comics
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-12-08
ISBN: 1607061597
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: Image Comics
Book Reviews of Chew Volume 1: Tasters Choice
Book Review: Chu on This
Summary: 5 Stars
"Chew" is easily one of 2009's best new on-going comic series. John Layman and Rob Guillory are masters of their craft. "Chew" is warped, offbeat, crazy, hilarious and above all.. brilliant. It's character-driven with a perfect balance of action, suspense and laugh-out-loud humor. The intersection of styles is rather self-aware; absurdity meets cop drama meets cannibalism. The series is well written, and the art is as splendidly unique and creative as the story's premise.
"Taster's Choice" is an introduction to the unusual world and people Layman and Guillory have created. "Chew" stars Tony Chu; he's a police detective and a "cibopath," meaning he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats, aside from beets that is. Chu is recruited by the FDA, which has now become the most powerful law-enforcement branch of the United States government, due to a bird flu pandemic that actually lead to the illegalization of all poultry. The FDA needs Tony to solve mysteries and murders with his special ability. Unfortunately for our protagonist, this usually involves eating incredibly gross things.
Tony isn't the only interesting character in the series, nor is he the only cibopath. Savoy, another agent for the FDA is also a cibopath, and he's Tony's new partner. He's also full of great surprises. Tony's new boss is a rather mean and hateful personality, who seems to only enjoy himself when giving Tony an extremely hard time. There's also a love interest, but this story arc is more focused on laying the foundation for the story and defining each of the character's role, so Tony's crush will have to wait.
Layman's writing style is quick, charming and a bit sarcastic. He uses an omniscient narrative and completely avoids the generic inner-monologue that has become standard for most comics. But don't worry, Layman puts the reader in Chu's shoes, and Tony's discomfort and pain is as easily felt as it is laughed at. There are several clever twists throughout, that further develop the story's illegalized-poultry sub-plot, but Layman's slow-burn reveal of the mystery surrounding the bird flu epidemic perfectly demonstrates the longevity this series is capable of. Layman starts the book out leisurely and lightheartedly, introducing the characters and setting, and then, out of nowhere, things go completely insane in a shower of gore and cannibalism. He finds new ways to laugh in the face of all social mores while simultaneously developing one of the more compelling and twisted narratives to be found on comic stands today.
And you can't praise "Chew" without ranting and raving about the wonderful art of Rob Guillory. His style provides a manic energy to every panel that defies any type of comparison. Additionally, the degree of detail and care given to the tiniest of background imagery demands second looks that offer further plot insights and even more laughs. His work is fluid, quirky, and cartoony, and it fits the story like a glove. Guillory's layouts are endlessly inventive and some of the most enjoyable bits of the book are Chu's mortified facial expressions after having eaten something particularly terrible.
I love "Chew". It's funny, witty and original. There's more to the plot than I described, but I didn't want to give away any spoilers. "Taster's Choice" ends with an unexpected and thrilling development that adds layers to the already dynamic plot and complicates things even more for our young and hungry Tony Chu.
Highly Recommended.
Summary of Chew Volume 1: Tasters Choice
Special Introductory Price! Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is Cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he's a hell of a detective, as long as he doesn't mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit, and why. He's been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest, and most bizarre cases. Collects CHEW #1-5.Fantasy Books
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