REVIEW: Chu #1, a triumphant return to the world of CHEW
Chu #1 is out July 22, 2020.
By Gabe Gonzalez — On June 3, 2009, a 60-issue culinarily-enhanced detective noir was born from the minds of John Layman and Rob Guillory in the form of Chew. If you’re unfamiliar with the comic, the original Chew series was about an FDA agent named Tony Chu who had a special ability…he was a cibopath, meaning he could gather psychic impressions from the things he consumed. He would be able to “see” the past of the things he ate, like the pesticides used on a cob of corn or who butchered a cow he was currently feasting on. The original book was truly a work of art, and it was critically-acclaimed, winning both an Eisner and a Harvey award. Chew ranks as a top-tier original, high-concept piece of detective literature.
And now, we visit the world of Chew once more but not through the eyes of Tony. Instead, we do so through the eyes of his sister Saffron. And, while Tony Chu is considered a respectable individual among law enforcement, where he now works as a homicide detective; Saffron is quite the opposite as she is someone who thrives within the underground element. She is a criminal by trade, a cibopar who can gather psychic information from those she eats with. In Chu we are dropped back into a familiar world that feels newer due to the alternate perspective of the world they both live in. However, I will not be reviewing this book as a comparison to the original series, but how it stands squarely on its own. And, in short, it does that very well.
John Layman infuses the writing with his trademark brand of humor, giving the dialogue a quirky sense of style. The book sprints at a high-octane speed which can only be a testament to Layman’s writing as he manages to go into a few genres all at once while still managing to be cohesive. This comic runs through a heist thriller to runaway action to a police procedural opening all in a matter of moments and it works really well with the vibe that story gives off. The book also doesn’t rely on knowledge of its predecessor for the reader to understand what’s going on. No, it gives you all the necessary information to enjoy the story. Essentially, it is a great beginner-friendly, jumping on point for the vibrant and fun world of Chew, especially important if the 60-issue task seems daunting. Also, this spin-off will only be a five issue mini-series. The book is truly a powerhouse built on the foundations of high-frenetic action and fun that keeps the reader engaged.
In terms of art, Dan Boultwood provides visuals that work in perfect tandem with Layman’s writing. It provides semi-cartoony visualization while still maintaining a world that has bloody violence and mature language, the art adds a sense of humor to a world built for a mature audience. Boultwood manages to craft a living energy into each one of the characters and within this world, whether it be a knife-throwing Frankenstein-styled monster or a group of gangsters that end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. It can be anything from vomit to fantastic character designs, this book really showcases Boultwood’s impressive artistic range. A phenomenal book in every sense of the word.
Overall: Friendly for both new readers as well as veterans of the world of Chew, Chu #1 is a phenomenal book in every sense of the word. 10/10
Chu #1 - REVIEW
Chu #1
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Dan Boultwood
Publisher: Image
Price: $3.99
“THE FIRST COURSE,” Part One TONY CHU is a cibopath, able to get psychic impressions from what he eats. SAFFRON CHU is a cibopars, able to learn secrets from who she eats with. Tony is a cop. Saffron is a criminal. They are brother and sister, and they are on a collision course. Spinning out of the multiple Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling series CHEW comes CHU, a felonious new food noir about cops, crooks, cooks, and clairvoyants.
Release Date: July 22, 2020
Buy It Digitally: Chu #1
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Gabe Gonzalez