Chew #3

Writer: John Layman
Artist: Rob Guillory
Company: Image Comics

Originality. That in a nutshell is what a lot of people look for in comics. Sure, there's no denying that we all crave a bit of costumed tomfoolery from time to time and like to see people being thrown football fields in length to their doom while they're on fire. And let me tell you, there's not a damn thing wrong with that. Still, at least with me, it's
nice to step outside our comfort zone and try something new every once in awhile. If there is one book that is worthy of this action, it is Chew.

Chew is gross. Chew is hilarious. Chew IS original.

For those not in the know or have yet to hear the buzz on this book, Chew chronicles the life and times of a police detective turned FDA special investigator named Tony Chu. Sounds normal, right? Well, the one thing that sets our Mr. Chu apart from everyone else is that he has a neat little gift. He's cibopathic. What exactly does that mean? It means that when he eats something, be it a fast food burger or Uncle Lou's rancid big toe, he psychically knows everything about said object. Sounds cool, right? It get's better, believe me.

Layman has expertly created a believable yet crazy new world setting where the Avian Flu has become a nightmare, where the FDA are the big wig FBI agents who are able to do whatever they please, and a place where secret Chicken Speakeasies are the hip and cool place to eat at. Just don't get got going to one or you may wind up visiting the Big House or the morgue. Really, this world is an immensely rich playground, one where new and different things can be found around every corner.

And Layman proves that with this third issue. In this done in one tale, we are introduced to a new romantic interest for Chu. Not only that, but we are also given a new phenomenon to chew on, something called a saboscrivner, which is someone who has the power to describe food so well in written form that you can actually physically taste it. To say that he puts this odd power to good use in the issue is an understatement to the Nth degree. Really, Layman's ability to just write in a way that grabs your attention is phenomenal. The character development in this issue is perfect, the dialogue between Chu and his cohorts at the FDA is rich and humorous and believable, and that it goes hand in hand with Rob Guillory's splendidly animated artistic style just makes the whole package pop even more.

To be perfectly honest, there is no doubt in my mind that this is the best book by far that Image Comics is producing right now. Don't believe me? Try it out and see for yourself. You'll be glad that you did.