Review: Chew #50
This is it, the landmark Chew #50, and the showdown everyone’s been waiting for. With 10 issues to go this is the showdown between Tony Chu and The Vampire Cibopath in the cold snowy lands of Russia.
For quite a while now, the series has been building to the showdown between these two characters in what you know will be an all out battle between various powers gained. It’s been clear what Tony has to do to defeat The Vampire for a bit, and the question is would he go through with it? Yes. Yes. And Yes.
The issue is the excitement and kinetic energy you’d expect courtesy of the team of writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory. No matter how sad an issue might be, or how much pure action it is, there’s an infusion of humor that puts it all over the top and makes each issue one of the most enjoyable comics on the market.
Each issue Layman lays out food and eating related powers that are so out there it’s hard to not crack a smile, laugh, and just enjoy it. For 50 issues he’s consistently delivered in that department, and even with a build up so big, he still delivers. The issue doesn’t disappoint at all.
Part of that charm is Guillory’s art. With powers so over the top, it takes a talented artist to deliver, and he does. The small details that pepper each issue, and especially this issue, tells us a story even if it’s not directly laid out with the script and dialogue. We know (and can imagine ourselves) what happened off panel. And through it all, and a kinetic zaniness worthy of Loony Tunes, it puts a smile on your face.
While the series is heading towards its sixtieth and final issue, there’s not time like the present to start from the beginning and catch up. With games and a television show in the works, Chew is still poised to be a massive break-out in the comic world. It’s kind of hard for it not to be when it’s this so infectiously fun.
Story: John Layman Art: Rob Guillory
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Oooh, that sounds very interesting. I’ve been hesitant about getting into comics cause from what I’ve heard there seems to be such a focus on Game of Thrones -esque grim and grit. I’m sick of that. It’s great to hear of a comic series that focuses on the fun that can be had. I’ll have to check it out.
Happy to make recommendations. There’s tons of great comics out there. The industry has generally left behind the grim and grit, though you may need to go beyond the more well known to find it.
What are you generally into as far as movies or television? Happy to make some suggestions as far as comics you might want to check out.
My primary interest when it comes to any medium is fantasy, though I know that doesn’t exactly narrow it down much XD. I love hearing about super hero stories and prefer diverse casts of characters. I’ve been really enjoying the marvel movies that have been coming out lately with Thor and captain America and the first avengers movie being my favorites, anime like full metal alchemist, Dragonball Z, yu-yu hakusho, and the two avatar series. I prefer character centric stories to plot centric ones. I haven’t had much time for movies and TV shows lately so that’s all that comes to mind right now, don’t know if it helps any. Still I really appreciate you taking the time to think of reccomendations, thanks a lot.
If you like fantasy, highly recommend Princeless by Action Lab. It takes the princess in a tower needing to be rescued genre, and turns it around with the princess saving herself and then questing to free her sisters (and making a lot of comments about tropes along the way).
It’s very Pixar in a way in that kids will enjoy it on one level and adults on another.
ooh, that sounds awesome. I love it when stories turn tropes on their heads. Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll be sure to check it out.