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Chew Nomnibus
Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is Cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he's a hell of a detective, as long as he doesn't mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit, and why. He's been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest, and most bizarre cases. Also included are the blockbuster one-shots featuring everybody’s favorite homicidal rooster, SECRET AGENT POYO, WARRIOR CHICKEN POYO, DEMON CHICKEN POYO.
1488 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2025
About the author
John Layman
830 books598 followersJohn Steele Layman is an American comic book writer and letterer. Layman is most known for writing Chew, published by Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 2, 2026
A truly strange, audacious and creative 60 chapters that manages to avoid the slump that usually occurs after the first few stories of a long running independent comic. Essential reading.
October 17, 2026
I finally finished this one!!
This comics series takes place in an alternate (modern day) Earth, where a mysterious illness invoked by chicken tore through Earth's population a few years before the series' start. Also (separate from the Chicken Incident), individuals have developed food-based powers, including our main character Tony Chu who can determine past actions and happenings by eating food (or even human flesh). These powers are sometimes used to solve mysteries throughout the series.
This felt very case-of-the-week style at times and I was definitely picturing this as an ongoing TV series, a la a more comedic "Criminal Minds" or "Law and Order" type of show. However, things progressed and escalated throughout the series as well in a vein that lent itself towards sci-fi.
I appreciated the pacing of this omnibus and I thought the ascent into full-blown sci-fi was done very well and naturally. I like when I can read a series and look back at the beginning and think "man, look how far we have come!" The relationships--platonic, familial, romantic, enemy(?)--all developed very naturally as well and I had that same feeling of reflection as I got towards the end of this (very hefty) book. I liked the characters, their flawed natures which felt very realistic, and their complex relationships with one another and even with their own powers.
Yes, this leaned into the absurdity of food-based powers at times, and there were moments that were definitely played for laughs or purposefully tongue-in-cheek, but there was clearly a lot of thought and intention put into this series and I think both the author and the artist really delivered on those intentions throughout. I felt like this team had a plot laid out far in advance, and the execution equalled or surpassed the premise, which can be a rare thing in comics.
Also, shoutout to Poyo. I loved the flashes we would get to whatever he was doing at certain points, that was really funny and charming.
It took me a while to fully finish reading this series but I'm so glad I picked it up and I miss it already!
This comics series takes place in an alternate (modern day) Earth, where a mysterious illness invoked by chicken tore through Earth's population a few years before the series' start. Also (separate from the Chicken Incident), individuals have developed food-based powers, including our main character Tony Chu who can determine past actions and happenings by eating food (or even human flesh). These powers are sometimes used to solve mysteries throughout the series.
This felt very case-of-the-week style at times and I was definitely picturing this as an ongoing TV series, a la a more comedic "Criminal Minds" or "Law and Order" type of show. However, things progressed and escalated throughout the series as well in a vein that lent itself towards sci-fi.
I appreciated the pacing of this omnibus and I thought the ascent into full-blown sci-fi was done very well and naturally. I like when I can read a series and look back at the beginning and think "man, look how far we have come!" The relationships--platonic, familial, romantic, enemy(?)--all developed very naturally as well and I had that same feeling of reflection as I got towards the end of this (very hefty) book. I liked the characters, their flawed natures which felt very realistic, and their complex relationships with one another and even with their own powers.
Yes, this leaned into the absurdity of food-based powers at times, and there were moments that were definitely played for laughs or purposefully tongue-in-cheek, but there was clearly a lot of thought and intention put into this series and I think both the author and the artist really delivered on those intentions throughout. I felt like this team had a plot laid out far in advance, and the execution equalled or surpassed the premise, which can be a rare thing in comics.
Also, shoutout to Poyo. I loved the flashes we would get to whatever he was doing at certain points, that was really funny and charming.
It took me a while to fully finish reading this series but I'm so glad I picked it up and I miss it already!
August 14, 2025
this was excellent!!
December 31, 2025
In a world where numerous humans possess food based superpowers, a particularly deadly avian flu leads to millions of deaths. The US government reflexively bans the sale and consumption of chicken, in turn making food regulators like the FDA and the USDA some of the most powerful enforcement agencies in the nation. A talented cibopath (one who can see the entire history of whatever they eat) named Tony Chu gets recruited by the FDA to enforce the new ban and soon stumbles upon a plot by a powerful enemy of the state who intends to acquire various food based abilities via cannibalism. In pursuit of this villain, Chu and his partners begin to unpack a vast conspiracy that may explain the origin of the deadly flu years prior.
This was a pretty fun romp, packed with light-hearted humor and a unique central gimmick. While the farcical food gags got rather tired it still remained a fun read with a wacky and oddly gruesome overarching narrative. It definitely suffered from a case of "100 Bullets syndrome" in making the commitment to finishing at a predetermined number of issues (60) but at least that means we got more Poyo (robot chicken, lord of the underworld). Guillory's art is not exactly my jam but served to deliver the absurdity quite well and never missed an opportunity to insert some cheeky visual gags.
This was a pretty fun romp, packed with light-hearted humor and a unique central gimmick. While the farcical food gags got rather tired it still remained a fun read with a wacky and oddly gruesome overarching narrative. It definitely suffered from a case of "100 Bullets syndrome" in making the commitment to finishing at a predetermined number of issues (60) but at least that means we got more Poyo (robot chicken, lord of the underworld). Guillory's art is not exactly my jam but served to deliver the absurdity quite well and never missed an opportunity to insert some cheeky visual gags.
July 2, 2025
Engaging story - one of the few comics which actually make me laugh regularly. So the humor is for me spot on.
The reason why it is 4 and not 5 is the story does progress and each chapter is interwoven, but it has a lot of chapters which are just fluff, fillers which brings nothing to the story as a whole and thus also make it feel repetitive at times. "Must investigate A, bring it to a close."
The reason why it is 4 and not 5 is the story does progress and each chapter is interwoven, but it has a lot of chapters which are just fluff, fillers which brings nothing to the story as a whole and thus also make it feel repetitive at times. "Must investigate A, bring it to a close."
January 23, 2026
John Layman took the phrase "You are what you eat" to a whole other level.
~This review contains spoilers! ~
His storytelling is masterfully poignant, culminating in an ending that carries significant emotional weight. Tony Chu is a flawed, stubborn man trying to do his job while discovering horrible, traumatic truths along the way. The narrative effectively demonstrates the cost of empathy, as the protagonist becomes a vessel for the pain of others.
A chef’s kiss to Layman for creating such a beautiful yet tragic bookend. In the debut issue's aftermath, the image of Tony holding a fallen John in his arms serves as a powerful visual anchor for the trauma that leads them both to the FDA. The finale masterfully mirrors this inciting incident; by holding John in his arms as he dies from the cosmic trigger, Tony's journey ends with the same personal loss that defined its beginning.
"The survivor isn't the one who ate the best; it's the one who had the strongest stomach for the truth."
Tony’s persona is defined by a strict moral and professional code, highlighting the tragic irony of a "by-the-book" character operating in a fundamentally broken system. While the author successfully crafts a complex lead, Tony’s habitual prioritization of his own needs over his principles often resulted in my personal dislike of him. This is evident in how he chose to distance himself from his daughter, Olive, while willing to build a new relationship with a stranger, Amelia. He judged his partner, John, for being himself and enjoying life, even though Tony spent most of his own life miserable and "pure." Tony was supposed to be the world's "Taster"—the one who could detect poison before it spread. Ultimately, he failed to stop the "Chicken is Doom" event, and millions suffered.
I'm gonna get on Tony's neck for a moment... Tony didn't stay away from Olive to protect her; he stayed away because she reminded him of everything he hated about himself, whereas Amelia reminded him of the man he wished he could be. Throughout her life, Tony treated Olive like a burden or a secret to be kept. By choosing her homemade weapon as the instrument of the world's salvation, he is finally acknowledging her worth. By using Olive’s creation, he admits that her power—and by extension, her identity—is meaningful. In that moment, he isn't the "distant protector" anymore; they are a team. He is finally relying on her instead of pushing her away—a silent admission that he was wrong to think he had to do everything alone. However, I hated that it took several years and the loss of everything for him to finally apologize to his daughter and the many others he let down. Tony Chu is the architect of his own isolation; by the time he reaches that final apology, he’s essentially speaking to a graveyard. By the end, Tony has no one left to actually accept his apology.
John Layman didn't give us a hero who grows; he gave us a hero who erodes. Tony Chu starts as a man trying to do his best and ends as a man who is simply empty. This series serves as a powerful warning: if you wait until the end of the world to be a present parent or friend, you'll find there is no one left to hear your apology.
One aspect I was not a fan of was Rob Guillory's portrayal of many of the women featured in the story. He often illustrated them to suit the male gaze, depicting women with exaggerated boobs, a small waist, and tight-fitting clothes. I viewed the over-sexualization of most of the female characters as distasteful, as I felt it devalued the female cast members to mere visual tropes. (Understandably-but still not okay- the first issue was published in 2009)
Despite this, the series is a remarkable achievement, utilizing its erratic "ups and downs" to deliver a sophisticated and intellectually stimulating experience. It makes you reconsider the "knowledge sets you free" trope; in this case, knowledge simply makes you nauseous. Ignorance is a luxury. Tony Chu’s "gift" shows us that the more we know about the origins of our food, our politics, and our history, the harder it is to enjoy life. Truth requires a stomach that most people simply do not have.
Chew was gross, hilarious, and deeply moving all at once. If you enjoy dark humor and an unapologetically weird story packed with food-based superpowers and slapstick violence—yet layered with deep messages—then this is the book for you. Brava!
~This review contains spoilers! ~
His storytelling is masterfully poignant, culminating in an ending that carries significant emotional weight. Tony Chu is a flawed, stubborn man trying to do his job while discovering horrible, traumatic truths along the way. The narrative effectively demonstrates the cost of empathy, as the protagonist becomes a vessel for the pain of others.
A chef’s kiss to Layman for creating such a beautiful yet tragic bookend. In the debut issue's aftermath, the image of Tony holding a fallen John in his arms serves as a powerful visual anchor for the trauma that leads them both to the FDA. The finale masterfully mirrors this inciting incident; by holding John in his arms as he dies from the cosmic trigger, Tony's journey ends with the same personal loss that defined its beginning.
"The survivor isn't the one who ate the best; it's the one who had the strongest stomach for the truth."
Tony’s persona is defined by a strict moral and professional code, highlighting the tragic irony of a "by-the-book" character operating in a fundamentally broken system. While the author successfully crafts a complex lead, Tony’s habitual prioritization of his own needs over his principles often resulted in my personal dislike of him. This is evident in how he chose to distance himself from his daughter, Olive, while willing to build a new relationship with a stranger, Amelia. He judged his partner, John, for being himself and enjoying life, even though Tony spent most of his own life miserable and "pure." Tony was supposed to be the world's "Taster"—the one who could detect poison before it spread. Ultimately, he failed to stop the "Chicken is Doom" event, and millions suffered.
I'm gonna get on Tony's neck for a moment... Tony didn't stay away from Olive to protect her; he stayed away because she reminded him of everything he hated about himself, whereas Amelia reminded him of the man he wished he could be. Throughout her life, Tony treated Olive like a burden or a secret to be kept. By choosing her homemade weapon as the instrument of the world's salvation, he is finally acknowledging her worth. By using Olive’s creation, he admits that her power—and by extension, her identity—is meaningful. In that moment, he isn't the "distant protector" anymore; they are a team. He is finally relying on her instead of pushing her away—a silent admission that he was wrong to think he had to do everything alone. However, I hated that it took several years and the loss of everything for him to finally apologize to his daughter and the many others he let down. Tony Chu is the architect of his own isolation; by the time he reaches that final apology, he’s essentially speaking to a graveyard. By the end, Tony has no one left to actually accept his apology.
John Layman didn't give us a hero who grows; he gave us a hero who erodes. Tony Chu starts as a man trying to do his best and ends as a man who is simply empty. This series serves as a powerful warning: if you wait until the end of the world to be a present parent or friend, you'll find there is no one left to hear your apology.
One aspect I was not a fan of was Rob Guillory's portrayal of many of the women featured in the story. He often illustrated them to suit the male gaze, depicting women with exaggerated boobs, a small waist, and tight-fitting clothes. I viewed the over-sexualization of most of the female characters as distasteful, as I felt it devalued the female cast members to mere visual tropes. (Understandably-but still not okay- the first issue was published in 2009)
Despite this, the series is a remarkable achievement, utilizing its erratic "ups and downs" to deliver a sophisticated and intellectually stimulating experience. It makes you reconsider the "knowledge sets you free" trope; in this case, knowledge simply makes you nauseous. Ignorance is a luxury. Tony Chu’s "gift" shows us that the more we know about the origins of our food, our politics, and our history, the harder it is to enjoy life. Truth requires a stomach that most people simply do not have.
Chew was gross, hilarious, and deeply moving all at once. If you enjoy dark humor and an unapologetically weird story packed with food-based superpowers and slapstick violence—yet layered with deep messages—then this is the book for you. Brava!
March 5, 2026
I really enjoyed reading Chew. It’s the kind of comic that tells a story that could only truly work in the medium of comics. The mix of absurd ideas, visual storytelling, and timing shows exactly what this art form can do at its best.
The artwork is very enjoyable and fits the tone of the story perfectly. It’s also genuinely funny. At different points the book feels like action, detective fiction, comedy, and sometimes even slice-of-life, all blended together in a way that keeps it fresh and entertaining.
Maybe the series runs a little longer than necessary in places, but that never bothered me much. Whenever I felt a bit of fatigue I would simply pause and come back later. And every time I returned to it, I found myself enjoying the story again and savoring the ending.
Overall, Chew is a very creative and entertaining comic that really shows the unique storytelling power of the medium.
The artwork is very enjoyable and fits the tone of the story perfectly. It’s also genuinely funny. At different points the book feels like action, detective fiction, comedy, and sometimes even slice-of-life, all blended together in a way that keeps it fresh and entertaining.
Maybe the series runs a little longer than necessary in places, but that never bothered me much. Whenever I felt a bit of fatigue I would simply pause and come back later. And every time I returned to it, I found myself enjoying the story again and savoring the ending.
Overall, Chew is a very creative and entertaining comic that really shows the unique storytelling power of the medium.
July 5, 2025
absolutely amazing series, laughed out loud many times, so detailed and entertaining!
September 7, 2025
badass! love the writing, characters and Amazing art and colouring.
October 11, 2026
Chew was one of the most entertaining comics I’ve read so far. The food based abilities and the issues were really cool and creative, so I really admired it. Tony and his partner were really great to watch and every character was captivating and so well made. The art was fantastic and really sold the entire project
I felt like the ending wasn’t the best, every death just belittled the last death. Mason Savoys death should have been the last. There was no need to kill Amelia, John, and some other characters, especially not within the same issue. The conclusion really should have ended with Mason, I felt like his suicide really brought the themes together. Anything after that really made his death feel unimportant, and I really would have liked another scene with Olive regarding Mason. The vampire took up most of the comic, so having a final two volumes, out of twelve, of just chaos was really unexpected when I expected and epilogue
I really enjoyed Toni and the vampire, and I thought they were done really well. I didn’t like Poyo that much as I feel like he shouldn’t have been such an integral character, so I kind of wish they could have killed the vampire without Poyo.
I would have given this a 5 stars if it wasn’t for the last volume because I had a great time reading this. It was really enjoyable and one of my favorites!
I felt like the ending wasn’t the best, every death just belittled the last death. Mason Savoys death should have been the last. There was no need to kill Amelia, John, and some other characters, especially not within the same issue. The conclusion really should have ended with Mason, I felt like his suicide really brought the themes together. Anything after that really made his death feel unimportant, and I really would have liked another scene with Olive regarding Mason. The vampire took up most of the comic, so having a final two volumes, out of twelve, of just chaos was really unexpected when I expected and epilogue
I really enjoyed Toni and the vampire, and I thought they were done really well. I didn’t like Poyo that much as I feel like he shouldn’t have been such an integral character, so I kind of wish they could have killed the vampire without Poyo.
I would have given this a 5 stars if it wasn’t for the last volume because I had a great time reading this. It was really enjoyable and one of my favorites!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2025
4.5 rounding up to 5 stars because of all the LOST and Robert Kirkman easter eggs in the details.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews