Le Dernier Festin de Rubin

Rare Flavours #1-6

by Ram V (Scénario), Filipe Andrade (Dessin, Couleurs), Inês Amaro (Couleurs)

Mohan l'avait pressenti dès leur première rencontre, ce Rubin Baksh ne lui disait rien qui vaille. Le simple fait de lui proposer plus d'argent pour se rencontrer qu'il n'en gagnait en un mois aurait dû lui mettre la puce à l'oreille. Mais la curiosité étant trop forte, et bien qu'il ait d'abord refusé sa proposition de l'accompagner sur les routes pour réaliser un documentaire culinaire, il finit par accepter. Cette quête de saveurs oubliées et cachées le mènera-t-elle, sans le savoir, au dernier festin de Rubin ?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Food

148 pages, Hardcover

First published August 20, 2024

About the author

Ram V (Ramnarayan Venkatesan) is an author and comic book writer from Mumbai, India. His comics career began in 2012 with the award-nominated Indian comic series, Aghori. A graduate of the City University of London’s Creative Writing MA, he has since created the critically acclaimed Black Mumba and the fantasy adventure series, Brigands.

Reviews

[Dream.M · Rating 4 out of 5]

افسانه‌ شیربرنج Paal Payasam

در آغاز، که هنوز آسمان جدا از زمین نبود، و خدایان باستانی خواب را نرم‌نرمک با انگشتانشان ورز می‌دادند، ماهِ تنها هر شب در معبدی شناور میان بادهای شرقی، از فراغ خورشید اشک می‌ریخت.
این اشک‌ها شیرین بودند.
نه چون شکر، بلکه چون رویای معشوق.
در آن زمان الهه‌ای که نامش آرانیا بود – دختر باد و آفتاب – مأمور شد تا اشک‌های ماه را جمع کند و در آیینی پنهانی، آن‌ها را به غذا بدل سازد.
غذایی که عشق را در زمین پراکنده کند و به دلتنگی ها پایان دهد.
او از آسمان به پایین آمد، پوشیده در پیراهنی از پر کلاغ و بخار چای. با قاشقی از استخوان ببرهای پرنده در دست، و دیگی که زمانی آینه‌ خورشید بوده.
در نخستین شب، آرانیا شیر گاو کوهی سفید را دوشید، گاوی که فقط در رویاهای کودکان یک‌ساله دیده می‌شد. سپس برنجی آورد که در دشت خواب پادشاهان مرده کِشت شده بود؛ باسماتی خالص، هر دانه‌اش شبیه یک ستاره‌ی خاموش. او شیر را در دیگ ریخت، و شعله‌ای روشن کرد که با عطسه اژدهایی کور از شرق زبانه می‌کشید. هل و زعفران را همچون طلسمی مرموز به درون دیگ ریخت و گلاب را، که قطره‌ قطره‌، از پیشانی گل سرخی فراموش‌شده چیده بود به آن افزود.
آرانیا این معجون را هفت شب و هفت روز، هم زد. هر بار که قاشق را چرخاند، یک داستان در آسمان شکل گرفت:
داستان تولد، داستان عشق، داستان دوری، داستان جدایی، داستان مرگ، داستان زنی که تنها ماند، داستان مردی که سقوط کرد…
تا این‌که در شب هشتم، ماه خود پایین آمد، دیگ را بویید، و لبخندی زد که جهان را خواب کرد.
از آن پس، این غذا Paal Payasam نامیده شد، نه یک غذای ساده، بلکه
اکسیری برای عبور از مرز خیال و واقعیت.
غذایی که فقط کسانی که طعم آن را نه با دهان، که با قلب چشیده‌اند، شکوه خیال‌انگیزش را درک می‌کنند.

مادربزرگ‌ها از مادربزرگهای‌شان شنیده‌اند که مادربزرگهای‌شان گفته‌اند: اگر روزی، در آشپزخانه‌ات، بوی شیر و هل پیچید،
اما کسی غذا نمی‌پخت، بدان که آرانیا بازگشته. آمده تا روحت را باخودش به سرزمین خواب خدایان ببرد .

[Urbon Adamsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

PT Esta é daquelas obras sobre as quais prefiro não revelar nada do enredo, porque acredito que isso poderia estragar a experiência de um novo leitor. É, sem dúvida, uma daquelas leituras que se beneficiam em ser descobertas quase às cegas.

Trata-se de uma obra muito original, que tem como ponto de partida a temática da culinária — algo que, confesso, temi que me afastasse, já que não sou particularmente entusiasta da prática. Mas, na verdade, funciona apenas como pano de fundo para uma história envolvente sobre um Demónio e um cineasta falhado que embarcam numa experiência transformadora.

A qualidade do trabalho de Ram V e Filipe Andrade é inquestionável. Se gostaste de As Muitas Mortes de Laila Starr, dificilmente não encontrarás aqui o mesmo impacto.

Boas leituras!

--

EN This is one of those works I’d rather not reveal anything about, as I believe doing so could spoil the experience for a new reader. It’s definitely the kind of story that benefits from being discovered almost blindly.

It’s a very original piece, using cooking as its starting theme — something I admit I feared might put me off, since I’m not particularly enthusiastic about it. But in truth, it works merely as a backdrop for an engaging story about a Demon and a failed filmmaker who embark on a transformative journey.

The quality of Ram V and Filipe Andrade’s work is undeniable. If you enjoyed The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, there’s no reason you wouldn’t find the same impact here.

Happy reading!

[Tom LA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Ram V's writing career for the last 10+ years, and once again, he delivers a comic book that has none of the flaws of 99% of the comic books published nowadays: it's not meaningless, it's not shallow, it's not about superheroes, it's not childish, it's not derivative.

Ram's Indian background allows him to navigate the complex Indian culture and folklore with confidence.

An ancient demon, a Rakshasa, is the protagonist of this story. Without spoiling any of the delicious twists, I will only say that this demon is in love with food, and that he decides to go on an artistic quest.

Filipe Andrade's lines are a perfect match for the "slightly surreal" feel of this tale: people's bodies have some exaggerated proportions, but not excessively so. Reality is still intact throughout the story, for the characters and the reader.

Once again, the main theme of Ram's writing is the relationship between the artist and his art. The courage, the audacity, the honesty that are a real artist's non-negotiable traits.

And perhaps Ram V is hinting at something even broader than art. Whoever you are, if you plan to live your life without courage and without honesty with yourself... well, you're going to miss a lot of flavours.

[Sem · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it's certainly less focused than "The Many Deaths of Laila Starr", the team's follow-up collab is just as heart-wrenchingly beautiful and humanistic, with many causes to wipe one's tears or smile. An absolute joy to read and look at, just as I expected.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story!

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gourmand is moved by the death of Anthony Bourdain to make his own documentary about some of his favorite food stands in India. That he is an ancient demon known for eating humans is, let's say, a complicating factor for the filmmaker he enlists. As are the demon slayers hunting him.

Intriguing recipes mix with bloody violence as the demon charms with his narration.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapter One. Masala Chai -- Chapter Two. Mirchi -- Chapter Three. Raan -- Chapter Four. Daal Fry, Dhaba Style -- Chapter Five.Triple Schezwan Rice -- Chapter Six. Paal Payasam

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 maybe but wtv. delicious.... green and orange and purple color never misses. also I love food

[Nel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good - last chapter was the weakest though, would have been a 5 star read without it.

[Valéria. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting much as Laila Starr was truly amazinng, but I did not expect this experience. Rare Flavours is beautiful story, filled with Indian culture that I believe was missing from comics very much until Ram V came to the scene. Loved every panel. Loved every line. Ending did not leave my eyes dry.

[Méli]

Fantasy Anthony Bourdain

[Ruchi Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of good food who also reads, my definition of a 'food book' differs vastly from its popular connotation. When I say a food book, I'm not referring to a cookbook.

To me, a well-written food book blurs the line between fiction and senses. It doesn't just preach recipes. It tells a story that makes you want to try it in the middle of a weekday night. Much like a good dish, a good food book can be a hard nut to crack. I had given up my quest for one a long time ago, until I came across Rare Flavors.

True to its title, the book is a rare creation. Despite its awkward language, the author's last book I read, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, clicked with me because of Ram V's mythological concepts' modern-day interpretations and Filipe Andrade's fluid art style. The duo concocts Rare Flavors along similar lines.

Bakasura, Hindu mythology's foodie, cannibalistic demon has been in hiding, serving a small dhaba in the town of Somarah for centuries after Bheema broke his back. Demon hunters have been looking for him. But when Bakasura, now Rubin Baksh, reads about Anthony Bourdain's work upon his demise, he is determined to share his love for food through a documentary. However, the amateur filmmaker he chooses for this task, Mohan, doesn't quite match his zeal.

"And all my young friend could see was what his little lens could contain. Threading the grandeur of a world, far too big, through the tiny aperture of ambition. . . . I had made up my mind to demonstrate to our friend that some flavours were not made in the searing heat of aspiration. Instead they were developed in the radiant warmth of love and patience."

A confluence of food, and art comprising of rich, real recipes served on the platter of Indian mythology, Rare Flavors hits the sweet spot. Rubin Baksh's character is adorable, a willful companion, a cherry on the cake.

"Food . . . flavour is not about the promise of taste or the aftermath of consumption. It lives in the moment ... and it is made not with expertise, but with innocence and love."

The book is a compendium of the six chapters individually published in this series. Each chapter tells the story of a dish and Rubin's take on it. I lapped all of it up. The recipes are so well done that in the world of rapid online food deliveries, they made me want to step into the kitchen and try them for myself. I owe my morning tea recipe to Rubin.

"I mean, look at this place! You wouldn't think to find this ... great sacks of spice, all these workers hefting them on their shoulders. The smells! The life within this four-hundred-year-old-structure! A place that feels much like its workers ... old hands held together by will, romance, and cinnamon dust.
How do you go about looking for such a place, let alone its soul?
Why, it is in the nature of such places, Mo. Tradition and rituals, old things looking to the past. Ungainly, perhaps, but still full of hidden meanings. Born not of ambition but of unrelenting love."

"How do I know of this place? I am old, Mo. As I walk through the here I can still hear the bustle of the spice market as it was some five hundred years ago. Things have changed. Perhaps even backs broken ... but its soul remains intact. "

"Before Baba passed away, he asked his boys to move his cot outside, into the open, so he could look at the sky and breathe the night air."

"Dare I say, Mo like me, had moved past consuming and had begun to look for flavour."

The dash of emotions in the end left me with a warm aftertaste.

"When I left Somarah, I thought it was for a grand reason: to share, through people, my love of food. But it turns out, as I've discovered, it was in fact to share, through food, my love of people. And in this strange companionship-in the change that it has brought upon my young friend Mo, and also in me-perhaps I have already found what I was searching for. Turns out, I didn't need to show the world who I was after all. Showing one other person was enough.

To be witnessed was enough."

If Ram V. is acting in any capacity on behalf of Rubin Baksh, he has done what Rubin set to achieve. A perfect food book, for fans of food, literature, and human emotions, Rare Flavors is a treat.

[Maithree Venkatesan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews, but this book sat with me for a while after I finished. A very unique story about Bakasura, a Rakshasa (demon) who wants to be the next Anthony Bourdain, and decides to make a documentary on Indian food. This quirky, mythological book took my right back to my mother’s kitchen.

‘Food is language, and language is memory.’

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

The creative team behind the acclaimed comics series, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, return for another miniseries that promises an exploration of humanism steeped with elements borrowed from Hindu mythology. Rare Flavours was serialized in six chapters, with each issue containing within the narrative a detailed recipe for a specific Indian dish. And indeed, the central premise behind Rare Flavours (I'm sticking to this spelling despite me being American) is that of making a culinary documentary. The filmmaker is an inexperienced youngster named Mo who was ready to give up his dreams of making movies, only to be enticed by an alluring deal set before him by the mysterious Rubin Baksh. We soon learn that Rubin is a "rakshasa" (or often referred to as asuras in mythology) whose culinary interests far exceed that of the delectable options found across the subcontinent. Mo and Rubin travel across the country learning a little more about the variety of Indian cuisine, but their travels are also stalked by a pair of demon hunters who seek to end Rubin's more unnatural proclivities.

The story is interesting at times, though the messaging is a little less clear compared to more focused story found in The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. Ram V does seek to tie in ideas revolving around the beauty of humanity as explore through the lens of cooking as a craft, which is undoubtedly a novel angle for a comic series. But what exactly Rare Flavours is offering the reader is relatively ambiguous since it doesn't really feel like there's much of a thesis to be delivered at any point. Even the partnership between Mo and Rubin seems relatively unexplored over the duration of this short series, with minimal reaction observed once Mo learns or Rubin's true nature. The ending rushes towards a semblance of an ending, leaving the reader with little to gauge on what the story was beyond a base premise. Even Felipe Andrade's artwork seems a fair bit more rushed here than it did in their previous collaboration, though I still more or less enjoyed the artwork and vibrant coloring.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare Flavours is devilishly delicious. Rare Flavours concludes one of the best series of the year, highlighting the importance of culture and the ways food can help us learn about and relate to one another. This fantastic exploration of food and culture really gives this book a unique, and inspiring feel. There's a mysteriousness to the characters and the overall story that's tantalizing, mixing magic realism in an adult way with real weight and dramatic implications. Ram V creates a unique prose that has the ability to capture the heart of the reader. Even though Rubin's nature is complex and terrifying, I am still drawn to his wildly interesting perspective. It was a very emotional story, that hit the marks.

[Brandon Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. It didn’t quite live up to this team’s first collaboration, The Many Deaths of Layla Star, but it’s got a lot going for it. The story is very unique. The inclusion of recipes were very neat, particularly in light of the rise in popularity of recipe comics. The big bad and his relationship with the protagonist reminded me a lot of the Judge from Blood Meridian. The character’s love for Anthony Bourdain may seem a little shoehorned to some, but it makes more sense if you know that the tv host and author also made some comics for Vertigo.

[Hosein · Rating 5 out of 5]

فکر کنم این کمیک شیش ماهی اولِ لیست کمیک‌هایی بود که می‌خواستم بخونم و هر بار به یک دلیلی نرفته بودم سراغش. اصلی‌ترین دلیل هم این بود که بر اساس خلاصه‌ی پشت جلد، کاور و اسمش حدس می‌زدم یک کمیکِ آشپزی (برخلاف مانگا توی کمیک این خیلی متداول نیست) با یکسری طراحی خوشگله. اما نصف حدسم درست بود، این یک مانگای آشپزی با طراحی‌های خوشگله که ژانرش در اصل وحشته.

کلا من فقط زمانی به ژانر وحشت "واقعا" توجه نشون می‌دم که توی یک اثری بیاد که انتظارشو نداشته باشم. این دقیقا همونطوری بود. این کمیک دقیقا همون چیزیه که من از یک کمیک می‌خوام، داستانش خیلی قویه و تقریبا توضیح اینکه چرا اینقدر خوب انجام شده بدون اسپویلش غیرممکنه. فقط همینقدر بگم که ریشه‌های داستانش می‌رسن به اساطیر هند و وسط می‌شن به مفاهیمی مثل سرخوردگی توی هنر، دنبال کردن چیزی که مشخصا بهش نمی‌رسی و حمل کردن بارِ سنگین صحبت‌های یک نفر دیگه موقع مرگش.

تا اینجا بین کمیک‌هایی که از ۲۰۲۴ خوندم، این بهترین بوده. قراره در آینده بارها ازش به عنوان یک کمیک با داستان بی‌نقص مثال بزنم.

[Matt Quann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book! To be entirely honest, I preferred this to Laila Starr.

[Maria Pelotte ⚡️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“And as long as it comes from a place of honesty, fascination, and true flavour, there will be always room for more.”

[Thea Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid, poetic and tasteful. A masterclass in delivering philosophical musings through the lense of mythology and food. A visual treat to savor.

[Haley Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 - Wonderful!!!

First graphic novel in a long time and I’m so pumped to read more by this author/illustrator. Just the right balance of kookiness with some deeper life themes. Incredible illustration. Has you rooting for the villain.

Loved the inclusion of the alternative cover photos.

Only the complaint is I sometimes was rereading because I thought I missed something. It’s pretty minimal text/dialogue so you have to follow closely. But, it was a great length overall, and this was probably moreso me getting used to comic book writing.

[Odo · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.5/10

[Aneet Samra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read to say the least!!

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Rare Flavors" a demon and a failed film maker take a culinary tour of India while shooting a documentary. Drawing on the Ramayana and the rich history of India, this book celebrates food, culture and history while showing modern India to be a rich and vibrant country and telling a poignant and engaging tale of self discovery and acceptance.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I wouldn’t declare himself a foodie, there have been media pieces that have shown what a fascinating subject food can be, specifically when it comes to making food. From the many celebrity chefs out there, to dramatized works like 2023’s The Taste of Things, the process of making food is just as creative as filmmaking or creating comic books. In fact, the new comic from that the creators of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr is all about food and filmmaking, leading to the very heart of creativity.

Please click here for my full review.

[Tim Rooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The weakest of Ram V’s work I’ve read. A bit unfocused and despairingly on the nose. Some moving moments. Filipe Andrade’s artwork feels rushed and unfinished.

[Kit Charlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Extremely enjoyable and stylish travel cooking show rendered as a graphic novel. I always enjoy an exploration of cannibalism as a proxy for intense feelings of desire and attachment and though that isn't technically the case here (as our main character is a man-eating Rakshasa and not a man), there's still a lot of the same stickiness and queasy feelings evoked throughout. Rubin expresses his love and admiration through humanity with a deep exploration of culture through food, but also people as food. Inextricably intertwined is his hunger for human flesh, a violent act that is intrinsic to his nature and expressed with loving intent. The beauty and the horror are one in the same.

The art is hazy and fractious, emphasizing Rubin's enormity (of body, appetite, charisma, intellect, talent, etc., etc.) and Mo's slightness (of confidence, self-esteem, assertiveness, etc.). The subplot of the demon hunters in pursuit of Rubin was useful to give the story a sense of propulsion, but it didn't really lead anywhere in the end. The most excellent part of the whole story was the cooking sequences and the human stories behind them, even as those stories are ended viciously by Rubin. Perhaps there's some commentary here about the voyeuristic nature of this kind of entertainment--there is necessarily some kind of consumption happening here--even with the very finest and most thoughtful examples like Anthony Bourdain, who is venerated throughout. There are suggestions along these lines, but I don't think Ram V is dwelling on this subject. This is very much a celebration of the travel cooking show as an art form, and a fun quick read to that end.

[Pranay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strong 4.5!
I came upon this graphic novel mentioned in a lot of end of the year's top ten books of 2024.
After reading this, I can confidently say that it's the best book of 2024.

Ram V is such a talented storyteller. He has just gotten better and better at this. A beautiful story woven around food and taste. Set in India, every chapter focuses on one Indian Food (along with a detailed recipe) and the story is so engrossingly built and keeps the plot moving forward. The chapters are beautifully woven around food and as we learn more about the characters the story moves forward turning a abhorrent, gluttony fueled cannibalistic demon into a knowledgeable, scholarly human (that we as readers start caring about).

The reason I have not given it a five star is because of the art. It's very good and extremely distinct. I enjoyed the art due to its unique style. The characters and the demons from mythology are drawn amazingly. However, it fails to show the food in all its glory. The story is about food and unfortunately it does not get captured properly.

(This point is personal and is not applicable to everyone) When Andrade draws large spaces or crowds for example like the Mumbai market place or Bandra Band stand, it's just too fake. The clothes people wear are all old fashioned with turbans and caps and not how people dress in Mumbai. It's drawn in a typical way a foreigner will draw and that takes things away from the story especially for me since I live in Mumbai.


Overall, this is a beautiful story wonderfully depicted and definitely worth your time.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rare Flavours collects issues 1-6 of the Boom Studios comic series written by Ram V with art and colors by Filipe Andrade.

The demonic Rakshasa Bakasura has been in hiding for thousands of years. At first he spent most of his time secluded in a rural cave before finding a passion for creating and sharing foods at a local market stand. When he learns of the passing of Anthony Bourdain, he has a desire to help continue his mission of teaching people about food and the human stories behind them. He recruits a down on his luck documentary filmmaker to record his adventures and teach him life lessons along the way. But the duo are being hunted by a couple of demon hunters who want to remove Bakasura from this Earth once and for all.

This is a beautiful tale, but it is definitely wordy. The layout of the book is also spliced with Indian food recipes, which often caused me to have to reread panels because it was distracting my train of thought. The art is more of a cartoony sketch style that I didn’t think always fit the story. I much preferred the creative team’s The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, but this still has a lot of meaning and heart behind it and some readers will certainly prefer it.

[Samira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looooooved the art. If it wasn’t so alive and sumptuous and strange, I’d give this book 3 stars. The plot has so much potential: a demon trying to put together an homage to Anthony Bourdain while also eating people, outrunning demon slayers and dragging a wannabe filmographer out of an existential crisis? C’mon!

I wished it was longer and I wished it was slower. I wanted more of this world where demons and cameras coexist, where magic is real but so is cancer and death, where a young man makes a deal with the devil to make his mother proud. There was a lot that happened and it wasn’t all fleshed out.

That said, the narrative switches were really cool— the art was aimed at the viewer—at making us hungry for the recipes, for the people and what would happen next, while the narration switched between dialogue, letters/diary entries and finally MO’s acceptance speech. It was a fun read and now I’d like to make some lamb curry.

[David Botcherby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent miniseries. The art and writing are as good as Laila Starr, if a bit looser at times. The story follows Ruben, a demon known for his great appetite (both for food and people), and his decision to make a documentary of his favourite dishes from across India. This is a series with love of food, flavour, and depth at its heart - having the recipes be a central part of each issue was inspired and I can't wait to try a couple. The stories told within are wonderful, and tie perfectly into the recipes. I'm gonna buy the collected when it comes out if anyone wants to borrow