“Chew, Vol. 2: International Flavor”

John Layman and Rob Guillory’s “Chew, Vol. 2: International Flavor”

Read 3.1.2012

“Chew” has an interesting premise and execution. It is difficult to explain, because it is insanely offbeat and definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. “Chew” is essentially founded in the ‘what-if’ category of time. What-If: Chicken was outlawed, because of the avian flu, and special task forces were created to enforce these new anti-poultry laws–a chicken prohibition, if-you-will.

“Chew” takes this idea and expands on it by furthing the timeline a bit and supposing that the FDA would become a more powerful agency, because of this prohibition. It also provides the reader with a likable character with a weird ability–the ability to gain psychic expressions from anything he eats, save for beets. His name: Tony Chu.

All of this coupled together creates a weird amalgamation of murder, international espionage, corrupt government officials, psychic premonitions, and at times a gross path down the things that people just shouldn’t eat.

I love the feel of it, but it’s not for everyone. If you like indie comics and graphic novels then pick “Chew” up if you haven’t already, but if you’re a bit more mainstream I would recommend passing on this one.