Chew #5 (John Layman and Rob Guillory/Image Comics/$2.99): I do not think there is any reason you shouldn’t be reading this comic and supporting independent comic creators like John and Rob except maybe you’re a Capes purist and ONLY read super-hero comics. Other then that this is the book you have been asking for. An indie book of the highest quality, with a great concept executed at the high level. Wonderful writing, fantastic art and really every issue either has a surprise or some other stunning revelation.
The story is about Tony Chu one of a few Cibopaths (guys who can pick up psychic resonances from taking a bite out food, living beings or the dead) left and working for the FDA (yes that FDA!) after an Avian Flew pandemic wiped out 116 million people world wide. His unique talents may be uncovering a conspiracy as well as a much bigger problem then busting guys selling chicken and steaks on the black market.
The 5th issue takes a very dark turn as Tony Chu finds out something quite accidentally and stumbles into a confrontation with his mentor Savoy I am certain no one saw coming…including Detective Chu.
John layman starts the issue with a great prologue of sorts letting us know this comic will end in a very bad place. After that you are thrust into the action as he and Savoy lead a major bust where Tony Chu’s life is saved by Savoy. In that melee our hero is covered in the blood of the villain as well as some of Savoy’s which leads to a revelation, Savoy obviously hasn’t been telling Chu the entire story. And may be a villain in his own right despite his motivations. Tony Chu confronts Savoy and is left missing an ear and cautionary warning to leave well enough alone. Wow.
What is great is how John Layman unfolds the drama, with a quirky seriousness and wonderful scripting. The pacing of the entire issue is excellent and really is the perfect combination of suspense and reveal. John is a master storyteller of this there is no doubt.
I have been fortunate enough to read the scripts and where John is taking us and the seeds he’s planted will really pay off for all of us readers.
Rob Guillory. What can I say? I cannot imagine a more perfect artist for this title. His cartoony, yet grim stylizations make this book a joy to look at. Rob catches great emotion in the facial expressions and really pushes the characters poses to the edge to heighten the drama and mood. The panel layouts and pacing really are an example of how to tell a story and move the reader along for an emotional ride.
In this issue you are treated to delightful action, and great dreary tones that are absolutely appropriate for the book. Instead of bright colors, you get darker grimmer tones, offset with the stylized characters and backgrounds really treat you to a unique experience. And the dramatic parts are highlighted by color washes that heighten the eventual and horrific aspects of the story. The last sequence of Savoy gorging on Tony a wonderful sequence and quite terrifying.
This was a great ending to the first chapter, and wow, I cannot wait to see where it is going from here. Book 1 is over, but there is so much to look forward to. Buy this book.
9.5 out of 10 (Probably should really be a 9, but since it has a pin-up I did (even though John screwed my by reducing it to a quarter page, I felt comfortable with the extra .5.)
