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Hungry Ghosts #1-4
Hungry Ghosts
Inspirado en un juego japonés del período Edo llamado Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai o 100 velas, en este tomo un grupo de chefs se reúnen para asustarse unos a otros con relatos de terror y comida de todo el mundo mientras rezan para sobrevivir toda la noche.
Cocinado por el autor superventas y chef veterano Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential), que además es ganador de un Emmy, y el aclamado novelista Joel Rose (Kill, Kill, Faster, Faster); ambos se unen de nuevo tras convertirse en números 1 del New York Times gracias a Get Jiro!
• Una sensacional recopilación de relatos de terror en la línea de Historias de la cripta, House of Mystery o American Horror Story.
• Incluye recetas totalmente originales de Bourdain y una guía de los legendarios espíritus que pueblan estas historias.
«ANTHONY BOURDAIN DEMUESTRA UNA VEZ MÁS QUE SIEMPRE ACIERTA. TODO LO QUE TOCA SE CONVIERTE EN UN ÉXITO ABSOLUTO.»
OUTRIGHT GEEKERY
Cocinado por el autor superventas y chef veterano Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential), que además es ganador de un Emmy, y el aclamado novelista Joel Rose (Kill, Kill, Faster, Faster); ambos se unen de nuevo tras convertirse en números 1 del New York Times gracias a Get Jiro!
• Una sensacional recopilación de relatos de terror en la línea de Historias de la cripta, House of Mystery o American Horror Story.
• Incluye recetas totalmente originales de Bourdain y una guía de los legendarios espíritus que pueblan estas historias.
«ANTHONY BOURDAIN DEMUESTRA UNA VEZ MÁS QUE SIEMPRE ACIERTA. TODO LO QUE TOCA SE CONVIERTE EN UN ÉXITO ABSOLUTO.»
OUTRIGHT GEEKERY
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
147 people are currently reading
3417 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Bourdain
83 books5,574 followersAnthony Michael Bourdain was an American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian. He starred in programs focusing on the exploration of international culture, cuisine, and the human condition.
Bourdain was a 1978 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and a veteran of many professional kitchens during his career, which included several years spent as an executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, in Manhattan. He first became known for his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (2000).
Bourdain's first food and world-travel television show A Cook's Tour ran for 35 episodes on the Food Network in 2002 and 2003. In 2005, he began hosting the Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure programs Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005–2012) and The Layover (2011–2013). In 2013, he began a three-season run as a judge on The Taste and consequently switched his travelogue programming to CNN to host Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Although best known for his culinary writings and television presentations, along with several books on food and cooking and travel adventures, Bourdain also wrote both fiction and historical nonfiction.
Bourdain was a 1978 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and a veteran of many professional kitchens during his career, which included several years spent as an executive chef at Brasserie Les Halles, in Manhattan. He first became known for his bestselling book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (2000).
Bourdain's first food and world-travel television show A Cook's Tour ran for 35 episodes on the Food Network in 2002 and 2003. In 2005, he began hosting the Travel Channel's culinary and cultural adventure programs Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (2005–2012) and The Layover (2011–2013). In 2013, he began a three-season run as a judge on The Taste and consequently switched his travelogue programming to CNN to host Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Although best known for his culinary writings and television presentations, along with several books on food and cooking and travel adventures, Bourdain also wrote both fiction and historical nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
October 21, 2022
well, this 100 page graphic novel about food and scary stuff took me 3 days to read.
so either i'm in the reading slump of a LIFETIME, the likes of which have only been seen in fairytale-style curses, or...this just wasn't that good.
i'm going with both.
to be honest, this book had no real voice. i knew it was not particularly memorable the second i finished it and i have to say, a month after the fact as i attempt to write this review, that instinct was correct!
the art was interesting but this felt...all over the place.
bottom line: a graphic novel that isn't a slump killer?? huh.
so either i'm in the reading slump of a LIFETIME, the likes of which have only been seen in fairytale-style curses, or...this just wasn't that good.
i'm going with both.
to be honest, this book had no real voice. i knew it was not particularly memorable the second i finished it and i have to say, a month after the fact as i attempt to write this review, that instinct was correct!
the art was interesting but this felt...all over the place.
bottom line: a graphic novel that isn't a slump killer?? huh.
December 14, 2018
I always admire a successful person who crosses over into another field. Anthony Bourdain does a fantastic job of talking his first passion (cooking) and weaving horrific tales around what we consume. I truly believe that if he were still with us he would have gotten better and better at this type of storytelling - which makes me sad all over again that he is gone - (very adult nature).
October 12, 2018
Anthony Bourdain loved creepy stories, and he was very fond of Japanese culture, and “Hungry Ghosts” is his take on an old Edo-period Japanese parlor game. In the original context, guests would gather at night to tell each other folk tales and ghost stories; in the adjoining room they would light one hundred candles and set a small mirror on a table. After each story, the story-teller would go to the candle room to blow out one flame and look into the mirror. The game was considered a test of courage, because the candle room would grow darker and darker as the candles were blown out, creating a creepy atmosphere some believed appropriate for the summoning of the various spirits the tales they were sharing were about. Bourdain’s spin on it is a little different: a Russian crime boss hosts a magnificent dinner, and after the meal is done, he invites the cooks to participate in this game of the hundred candles. The cooks will share scary stories, which are reimaginings of classic Japanese horror stories that all share the theme of food. Or at least, eating.
The stories he picked are not terribly frightening, at least not to me; but having read a few Zen folktales, I wasn’t surprised to find most of them contained more or less subtle moral lessons against behaviours like greed, breaking one’s promise, etc. But even if they didn’t spook me, I still enjoyed every story: the artwork is different for each, giving them all a unique style.
This was Bourdain’s last book project before he died, and this collected edition of the four issues is dedicated to his memory. I would not say it was his best work, but it has his unmistakable style all over it, and if you enjoyed “Get Jiro!” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), you will probably like a lot as well.
The stories he picked are not terribly frightening, at least not to me; but having read a few Zen folktales, I wasn’t surprised to find most of them contained more or less subtle moral lessons against behaviours like greed, breaking one’s promise, etc. But even if they didn’t spook me, I still enjoyed every story: the artwork is different for each, giving them all a unique style.
This was Bourdain’s last book project before he died, and this collected edition of the four issues is dedicated to his memory. I would not say it was his best work, but it has his unmistakable style all over it, and if you enjoyed “Get Jiro!” (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), you will probably like a lot as well.
October 26, 2018
Hungry Ghosts: Tales of Fear and Food from Around the World was Anthony Bourdain's last work before his death in June 2018.
Bourdain, an admirer of Japanese folklore as well as graphic novels/comics, worked with several artists to compile Hungry Ghosts.They were released as single issues, but I read the book form, which includes all 9 stories.
The scene is set with a Russian oligarch-type figure who hosts a dinner party, and wants to end the evening with a parlor game - hyakumonogatari kaidankai "Kaidan", the game of 100 ghost stories. He invites the chefs to play along as storytellers.
Each story is intended to be more macabre and terrifying than the last. As the storyteller finishes, they blow out a candle, making the room darker with each passing story... Until it is pitch black.
The sections (scroll to see some of the art from the stories!) are various themes, all include yokai, the catch-all Japanese name for ghosts & goblins. Each story has a larger theme of food, or eating - signature Bourdain.
A little unsettling, but not terribly horrific, the stories border more on grotesque and eerie. Artwork is different for each one, adding even more flavor. My faves were "The Pirates", "Snow Woman", and "The Heads".
Bourdain, an admirer of Japanese folklore as well as graphic novels/comics, worked with several artists to compile Hungry Ghosts.They were released as single issues, but I read the book form, which includes all 9 stories.
The scene is set with a Russian oligarch-type figure who hosts a dinner party, and wants to end the evening with a parlor game - hyakumonogatari kaidankai "Kaidan", the game of 100 ghost stories. He invites the chefs to play along as storytellers.
Each story is intended to be more macabre and terrifying than the last. As the storyteller finishes, they blow out a candle, making the room darker with each passing story... Until it is pitch black.
The sections (scroll to see some of the art from the stories!) are various themes, all include yokai, the catch-all Japanese name for ghosts & goblins. Each story has a larger theme of food, or eating - signature Bourdain.
A little unsettling, but not terribly horrific, the stories border more on grotesque and eerie. Artwork is different for each one, adding even more flavor. My faves were "The Pirates", "Snow Woman", and "The Heads".
December 17, 2018
Anthony Bourdain was always one of my favorites of the “celebrity chef” crowd. Bourdain was that rare character who could produce something beyond the scope of a mere cooking show. The man wrote books, both nonfiction and fiction. His forays into television produced “Parts Unknown,” one of the most iconic shows about food and food culture of all time. Bourdain taught us that food could be one of the true conduits to a better understanding of other cultures. Andrew Zimmern covers a bit of the same ground, but Zimmern is more in line with the Bobby Flays of the world. You would have never caught Anthony Bourdain rubbing elbows with Chris and Maneet on an episode of “Chopped,” for example. No, Bourdain was more dangerous. His personal demons drove him hard, and we took note of that. He was often rude and profane. But he could also elevate food culture into a work of anthropological art. His demons finally caught up with him on June 8, 2018, when he committed suicide.
One of the last projects that Bourdain was working on was a graphic art series in conjunction with novelist Joel Rose. The intent was to produce a comic book/graphic novel in a horror vein, with food as the subject to tie all of the stories together. The result is “Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts,” which I picked up in graphic novel form so I could have the whole effort in one handy volume.
The premise is pretty simple. A group of guests has been brought together to a feast hosted by a Russian oligarch of sorts. After the meal he invites the chefs and cooks to the table for a game of “Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai,” or “Kaidan” for short. This was a legitimate historical game played by the Japanese samurai class during the Edo (1603-1868) period. The samurai would gather in a room and 100 candles would be lit, and the samurai would begin telling ghost stories, extinguishing one candle upon the completion of each tale. The room would get darker as the night went on, and the stories would become scarier. The “winners” were those samurai who could last until the final tale was told. Most of the stories involved the Yokai, which is a sort of catch-all term for all manner of supernatural creatures in the Japanese folk mythos. Leaving the room in fear would mean a loss of “face,” but one has to remember that the Yokai were legitimate forces of nature and danger to the Japanese people during this time. Belief in the spirits and demons of the countryside was a given. More of a parlor game than anything to be taken too seriously, it nonetheless sets a perfectly viable stage for the purpose.
Each segment in “Hungry Ghosts” is drawn by a different artist. The concept and stories were written by Bourdain and Ross. The whole thing has something of an EC Comics feel about it, which was the stated intent. There is a section in the back that highlights each of the Yokai that appear in the stories, and there are also five recipes drawn from various sections of the book.
“Kaidan” - art by Alberto Ponticelli - This is a quick set-up story that introduces the characters and explains the terms of the game to be played. Look close, though….there is foreshadowing to be found even this early in the game.
“The Starving Skeleton” - art by Alberto Ponticelli - The owner of a small restaurant refuses to feed a starving beggar. Be careful on that walk home, dude.
“The Pirates” - art by Vanessa Del Rey - Wanton women were often driven into the sea by capricious and overly moral townspeople. One such lady is lucky enough to survive in the waves long enough to be picked up by a pirate vessel. Did I say lucky? The men are horny, and the action is fierce. Keep in mind that I didn’t say who was lucky, the woman or the pirates. Let’s just say THAT ain’t gonna grow back. Definitely NSW.
“Salty Horse” - art by Leonardo Manco - A rich estate owner has an unnatural taste for horseflesh. After devouring his entire holdings from colt to stallion to nag, he is left only with a stringy old warhorse upon which to feast. The eyes are a delicacy……
“The Heads” - art by Mateus Santolouco - A cook who loses his apprenticeship is taken in by a mysterious group of cooks. Heads will roll……
“Deep” - art by Sebastian Cabrol - An abusive sous chef is given his comeuppance. A reminder to always be careful who you are goosing.
“Boil in the Belly” - art by Paul Pope - A young cook visits his parents, but he has an appetite that just won’t quit. Almost like another mouth in his belly that just can’t be satisfied. Don’t worry, though. Those country doctors know how to cure all SORTS of things.
“The Snow Woman” - art by Irene Koh - When the demon woman tells you not to speak of your ghostly sexual liaison, LISTEN TO HER!!!
“The Cow Head” - art by Francesco Francavilla - A village in the throes of drought and starvation is visited by a mysterious stranger who just HAPPENS to have a cow head in place of a human head. He offers to tell them where to get food, but they decide that he’d make a tasty meal all on his own. This is obviously not a great idea….
The recipe section is pretty cool. The recipes are actually featured in the stories themselves. They look easy enough to make, though you may find yourself hanging out in the Asian section of your market for a few of the ingredients.
The art is generally good across the board. “The Pirates” and “The Cow Head” are particularly effective from a visual standpoint. The stories themselves all follow the classic EC Comics formula of moral closure. All of the tales have that particular brand of cosmic justice that ensures that everyone involved gets exactly what’s coming to them. The section on the Yokai themselves is informative. It’s important to realize that Japan is a very haunted place, if nothing else in the psychological sense. The Yokai are more than mere ghosts or spirits, they are often the physical manifestation of natural forces and the power of the landscape itself. To a typical Japanese citizen of the Edo period, these elemental entities would have held great power of belief.
“Hungry Ghosts” is a fine graphic novel, and I’m saddened to know there won’t be anymore follow-up efforts. It was nice to know that Anthony Bourdain was continuing to expand his footprint into different types of media. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy this sort of thing.
Don’t rest easy, Mr. Bourdain. I hope that yours is a restless ghost, better to remind us all to never take the life we live for granted. You are welcome to come and bang on my walls anytime.
One of the last projects that Bourdain was working on was a graphic art series in conjunction with novelist Joel Rose. The intent was to produce a comic book/graphic novel in a horror vein, with food as the subject to tie all of the stories together. The result is “Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts,” which I picked up in graphic novel form so I could have the whole effort in one handy volume.
The premise is pretty simple. A group of guests has been brought together to a feast hosted by a Russian oligarch of sorts. After the meal he invites the chefs and cooks to the table for a game of “Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai,” or “Kaidan” for short. This was a legitimate historical game played by the Japanese samurai class during the Edo (1603-1868) period. The samurai would gather in a room and 100 candles would be lit, and the samurai would begin telling ghost stories, extinguishing one candle upon the completion of each tale. The room would get darker as the night went on, and the stories would become scarier. The “winners” were those samurai who could last until the final tale was told. Most of the stories involved the Yokai, which is a sort of catch-all term for all manner of supernatural creatures in the Japanese folk mythos. Leaving the room in fear would mean a loss of “face,” but one has to remember that the Yokai were legitimate forces of nature and danger to the Japanese people during this time. Belief in the spirits and demons of the countryside was a given. More of a parlor game than anything to be taken too seriously, it nonetheless sets a perfectly viable stage for the purpose.
Each segment in “Hungry Ghosts” is drawn by a different artist. The concept and stories were written by Bourdain and Ross. The whole thing has something of an EC Comics feel about it, which was the stated intent. There is a section in the back that highlights each of the Yokai that appear in the stories, and there are also five recipes drawn from various sections of the book.
“Kaidan” - art by Alberto Ponticelli - This is a quick set-up story that introduces the characters and explains the terms of the game to be played. Look close, though….there is foreshadowing to be found even this early in the game.
“The Starving Skeleton” - art by Alberto Ponticelli - The owner of a small restaurant refuses to feed a starving beggar. Be careful on that walk home, dude.
“The Pirates” - art by Vanessa Del Rey - Wanton women were often driven into the sea by capricious and overly moral townspeople. One such lady is lucky enough to survive in the waves long enough to be picked up by a pirate vessel. Did I say lucky? The men are horny, and the action is fierce. Keep in mind that I didn’t say who was lucky, the woman or the pirates. Let’s just say THAT ain’t gonna grow back. Definitely NSW.
“Salty Horse” - art by Leonardo Manco - A rich estate owner has an unnatural taste for horseflesh. After devouring his entire holdings from colt to stallion to nag, he is left only with a stringy old warhorse upon which to feast. The eyes are a delicacy……
“The Heads” - art by Mateus Santolouco - A cook who loses his apprenticeship is taken in by a mysterious group of cooks. Heads will roll……
“Deep” - art by Sebastian Cabrol - An abusive sous chef is given his comeuppance. A reminder to always be careful who you are goosing.
“Boil in the Belly” - art by Paul Pope - A young cook visits his parents, but he has an appetite that just won’t quit. Almost like another mouth in his belly that just can’t be satisfied. Don’t worry, though. Those country doctors know how to cure all SORTS of things.
“The Snow Woman” - art by Irene Koh - When the demon woman tells you not to speak of your ghostly sexual liaison, LISTEN TO HER!!!
“The Cow Head” - art by Francesco Francavilla - A village in the throes of drought and starvation is visited by a mysterious stranger who just HAPPENS to have a cow head in place of a human head. He offers to tell them where to get food, but they decide that he’d make a tasty meal all on his own. This is obviously not a great idea….
The recipe section is pretty cool. The recipes are actually featured in the stories themselves. They look easy enough to make, though you may find yourself hanging out in the Asian section of your market for a few of the ingredients.
The art is generally good across the board. “The Pirates” and “The Cow Head” are particularly effective from a visual standpoint. The stories themselves all follow the classic EC Comics formula of moral closure. All of the tales have that particular brand of cosmic justice that ensures that everyone involved gets exactly what’s coming to them. The section on the Yokai themselves is informative. It’s important to realize that Japan is a very haunted place, if nothing else in the psychological sense. The Yokai are more than mere ghosts or spirits, they are often the physical manifestation of natural forces and the power of the landscape itself. To a typical Japanese citizen of the Edo period, these elemental entities would have held great power of belief.
“Hungry Ghosts” is a fine graphic novel, and I’m saddened to know there won’t be anymore follow-up efforts. It was nice to know that Anthony Bourdain was continuing to expand his footprint into different types of media. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy this sort of thing.
Don’t rest easy, Mr. Bourdain. I hope that yours is a restless ghost, better to remind us all to never take the life we live for granted. You are welcome to come and bang on my walls anytime.
August 6, 2020
3.0 Stars
As someone who loves food and horror, I was incredibly excited when I learned about this graphic novel. The setup was really well done, but I was generally disappointed by the individual stories in the collections. There were a few good creepy panels and there were certainly some gruesome moments (so don't eat when reading this one), but overall I was underwhelmed.
As someone who loves food and horror, I was incredibly excited when I learned about this graphic novel. The setup was really well done, but I was generally disappointed by the individual stories in the collections. There were a few good creepy panels and there were certainly some gruesome moments (so don't eat when reading this one), but overall I was underwhelmed.
December 21, 2018
Most people who knew Anthony Bourdain’s long run as celebrity chef would not be surprised to know he was in love with Japanese food and culture. What is surprising to me is that he had an interest in pre-Comics Code EC horror comix, and was a fan in particular of Japanese yokai (or monsters, ghosts and other supernatural creatures). In Hungry Ghosts Bourdain and his co-writer Joel Rose create a frame to tell some creepy stories: Some Russian guy hosts a dinner party, hiring several master chefs for the occasion, and he ends the evening with a parlor game- hyakumonogatari kaidankai, or Kaidan, a game of 100 ghost stories.
The chefs, as storytellers, tell yokai tales in the manner of fifties pulpy horror stories, but because they are chefs, the tales are food-themed. A series of different artists illustrate the tales, including Vanesa Del Rey, Francesco Francavilla, and Paul Pope. There are some of Bourdain’s recipes at the end that have nothing to do with the stories. The book was already in production when Bourdain died.
This feels like such a niche book. If you like Bourdain as celebrity cook, you might be interested in anything he did. If you like horror, and you like Japanese food and culture, you might like this book, but not necessarily so unless you knew of Bourdain: The title is Anthony Bourdain's Hungry Ghosts, not just Hungry Ghosts. I wasn’t really a follower of Bourdain’s cook books or tv shows, but I have some fondness for cheesy fifties horror comics, so I liked it all right.
The chefs, as storytellers, tell yokai tales in the manner of fifties pulpy horror stories, but because they are chefs, the tales are food-themed. A series of different artists illustrate the tales, including Vanesa Del Rey, Francesco Francavilla, and Paul Pope. There are some of Bourdain’s recipes at the end that have nothing to do with the stories. The book was already in production when Bourdain died.
This feels like such a niche book. If you like Bourdain as celebrity cook, you might be interested in anything he did. If you like horror, and you like Japanese food and culture, you might like this book, but not necessarily so unless you knew of Bourdain: The title is Anthony Bourdain's Hungry Ghosts, not just Hungry Ghosts. I wasn’t really a follower of Bourdain’s cook books or tv shows, but I have some fondness for cheesy fifties horror comics, so I liked it all right.
December 5, 2018
It's a crying shame that Bourdain’s death means that we won't get to see this side of him come out to play again. I’ve been a fan of the man and his work for many years, but I had no idea he was such an aficionado of Japanese ghost stories.
Hungry Ghosts is inspired in equal parts by the classic EC horror titles, and the even more classic Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. A group of chefs trade ghost stories in an attempt to outscare each other, and each tale is illustrated by a different artist. It's a--you should pardon the expression--tasty brew indeed.
The stories are steeped in Japanese lore. In his afterword, “Stirring the Pot,” Joel Rose (Bourdain’s partner in crime) goes into detail about their research sources, mainly the great Lafcadio Hearn. There's also “A Handy Guide to the Legendary Ghostly Spirits behind our Terrifying Tales,” which is pretty much what it sounds like, but is worth reading if you want further background. There are also some recipes which, honestly, feel kind of tacked on. Yeah, Bourdain was, among other accomplishments, a chef. But these recipes--to be fair, they do sound tasty--seem more like a gimmick than an integral part of the book.
If you're a fan of horror comics, Anthony Bourdain, or Japanese culture, this book is right up your alley. Me? I’m all three. Didn't stand a chance. Highly recommended!
Hungry Ghosts is inspired in equal parts by the classic EC horror titles, and the even more classic Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. A group of chefs trade ghost stories in an attempt to outscare each other, and each tale is illustrated by a different artist. It's a--you should pardon the expression--tasty brew indeed.
The stories are steeped in Japanese lore. In his afterword, “Stirring the Pot,” Joel Rose (Bourdain’s partner in crime) goes into detail about their research sources, mainly the great Lafcadio Hearn. There's also “A Handy Guide to the Legendary Ghostly Spirits behind our Terrifying Tales,” which is pretty much what it sounds like, but is worth reading if you want further background. There are also some recipes which, honestly, feel kind of tacked on. Yeah, Bourdain was, among other accomplishments, a chef. But these recipes--to be fair, they do sound tasty--seem more like a gimmick than an integral part of the book.
If you're a fan of horror comics, Anthony Bourdain, or Japanese culture, this book is right up your alley. Me? I’m all three. Didn't stand a chance. Highly recommended!
July 13, 2018
Oh mannnnn I really wanted to love this. It could have been perfect. I don't know if it was a short production schedule or what but the transitions between issues just did not make sense. First it's these rich guys doing this ritual and I'm thinking damnnn this is going to backfire on them but then in the next few issues the rich dudes are not even there?
They explained at the beginning that everyone was to sit together in one room and light 100 candles and after each person told a scary story they were to extinguish one candle. Except they moved rooms and characters disappeared and the candles kept multiplying???
We have the chefs go into this room with the candles alone without the rich dudes (the characters are divided into the richies and the chefs who just cooked their 5-star dinner), but the whole conceit was that you sit together and one at a time extinguish a candle, chefs and rich dudes alike. I seriously went back to the beginning several times because I was like, am I missing something?
It was a genuinely terrifying concept that was executed poorly. A group of people from different worlds, summoned by a mysterious and eccentric millionaire, is convinced to play an ancient samurai game where 100 candles are lit and everyone has to go around telling a scary story and extinguish one candle until all the candles are out and a demon is summoned. That's a genuinely awesome story!
But this isn't that story.
They explained at the beginning that everyone was to sit together in one room and light 100 candles and after each person told a scary story they were to extinguish one candle. Except they moved rooms and characters disappeared and the candles kept multiplying???
We have the chefs go into this room with the candles alone without the rich dudes (the characters are divided into the richies and the chefs who just cooked their 5-star dinner), but the whole conceit was that you sit together and one at a time extinguish a candle, chefs and rich dudes alike. I seriously went back to the beginning several times because I was like, am I missing something?
It was a genuinely terrifying concept that was executed poorly. A group of people from different worlds, summoned by a mysterious and eccentric millionaire, is convinced to play an ancient samurai game where 100 candles are lit and everyone has to go around telling a scary story and extinguish one candle until all the candles are out and a demon is summoned. That's a genuinely awesome story!
But this isn't that story.
January 19, 2019
This is a collection of food-based horror stories, reminiscent of old issues of Creepy or Eerie. The art is bloody and gory, but sadly . . . sigh . . . none of the tales are very suspenseful, or scary. No goosebumps. Just horseflesh.
Lots and lots of horseflesh.
Lots and lots of horseflesh.
October 24, 2018
I'm starting this review by saying that I have changed my mind about Anthony Bourdain (sort of) in the wake of his untimely death.
I used to hate the guy. His obnoxiousness to the animal world...ok, most people eat meat, I get that. But most people don't revel in eating endangered species, either. But it was his detestable comments about vegans, such as saying that we should kill ourselves, that tipped my opinion of him into loathing. Then, after Bourdain's suicide, I watched a YouTube video that threw things into relief for me.
It's the old trope of "hurting people hurt people." Like Roseanne Barr, Bourdain was a deeply ill person who lashed out at others to mask his own pain.
Bourdain's tragic death and the revelation of his mental illness and addiction problems doesn't erase the suffering he caused animals. Nor does it negate the hurtful things he said about those of us whose values he disagreed with, especially damaging if the listener happened to be a depression sufferer themselves. But now I just feel sad for him, not angry.
Still not going to read any of his books or watch his shows, though. I'm not that much of a glutton for punishment.
But on to HUNGRY GHOSTS. This is a comic collection featuring horror stories from Japan, home to some of the strangest and scariest ghouls and goblins of any folklore traditions. While the monsters were definitely scary, I felt the stories were just too short to build up any real tension. Many of the comics fall back on gore and body horror, so if that isn't your thing--beware. Interestingly given Bourdain's values, two of the stories involve nonhuman creatures (one real, one fantastical) taking revenge on the people who have eaten them.
The artwork is pretty incredible, even when the scenes being depicted are quite ugly. I think I actually may have liked the end pages, which depict and explain several bizarre ghosts and monsters of Japanese legend, as much or more than the book itself.
I used to hate the guy. His obnoxiousness to the animal world...ok, most people eat meat, I get that. But most people don't revel in eating endangered species, either. But it was his detestable comments about vegans, such as saying that we should kill ourselves, that tipped my opinion of him into loathing. Then, after Bourdain's suicide, I watched a YouTube video that threw things into relief for me.
It's the old trope of "hurting people hurt people." Like Roseanne Barr, Bourdain was a deeply ill person who lashed out at others to mask his own pain.
Bourdain's tragic death and the revelation of his mental illness and addiction problems doesn't erase the suffering he caused animals. Nor does it negate the hurtful things he said about those of us whose values he disagreed with, especially damaging if the listener happened to be a depression sufferer themselves. But now I just feel sad for him, not angry.
Still not going to read any of his books or watch his shows, though. I'm not that much of a glutton for punishment.
But on to HUNGRY GHOSTS. This is a comic collection featuring horror stories from Japan, home to some of the strangest and scariest ghouls and goblins of any folklore traditions. While the monsters were definitely scary, I felt the stories were just too short to build up any real tension. Many of the comics fall back on gore and body horror, so if that isn't your thing--beware. Interestingly given Bourdain's values, two of the stories involve nonhuman creatures (one real, one fantastical) taking revenge on the people who have eaten them.
The artwork is pretty incredible, even when the scenes being depicted are quite ugly. I think I actually may have liked the end pages, which depict and explain several bizarre ghosts and monsters of Japanese legend, as much or more than the book itself.
April 24, 2021
This graphic novel is very adult in nature! The graphics were good and at times gruesome which for a horror graphic novel is perfect. I wish Anthony Bourdain had gotten to play with this side of his creativity more before he was gone. This isn’t perfect but it was certainly enjoyable. At first I was worried all the chefs were going to be murdered or something, but they just needed to tell scary stories which were creepy. I particularly loved that these stories weren’t American in nature as that is all too often what we see. I tore through these stories quickly and was disappointed when I reached the end of the book. I liked the warrior horse spirit the best but all the stories were enjoyable and definitely twisted.
January 27, 2019
The late Anthony Bourdain and collaborator Joel Rose adapt some food-related horror stories from Japan and a few other places around the world. Mostly they go for a heavy-handed Tales from the Crypt vibe, complete with gross-out endings. The stories have all the subtlety of a Michael Fleisher Spectre script without the, um, quirky charm. It's all a bit too mean-spirited at base.
November 27, 2018
Wow!Alot of work and research went into this book.I loved it for its creativity,entertainment, are and historical integrity.A rare jem to hold in your hands.Even better to read and devour.The ribbon as a bookmark is classy and an awesome plus.
October 29, 2019
This is a collection of short stories centered around food and ghosts. These had so much potential to be delicious but always ended leaving me somewhat unsatisfied, somewhat like eating at Chipotle.
Great artwork and I love the concept Bourdain had for this.
Great artwork and I love the concept Bourdain had for this.
March 20, 2019
This was very disappointing....
November 26, 2021
I’m not a foodie, so my knowledge of Bourdain was always limited to “that food guy” and later, tragically, “that food guy who killed himself”. But then man must have had a serious dark side to him, because this book…it’s a doozy. Granted, he didn’t write it, or drew it, but his passion for the scarier aspects of Japanese mythology had inspired it. Add a writer with a penchant for macabre and a collection of talented artists…et voila, a perfectly tasty collection of nightmares hailing from some strange intersection of scary, erotic and…culinary.
The basic structure of this book is a campfire set up, albeit Japanese flavored, meaning people gather around to tell the scariest stories they can think of, tempting the ghosts and ghouls lurking around, just waiting to pounce on their souls. They do so in front of the mirror amid lit candles. Samurai style.
And sure enough, these stories get progressive darker and scarier as the book progresses, visceral terrors that have a distinct Japanese otherness to them. The sort of thing one probably shouldn’t read before bed.
There’s also a nice collection of supplemental materials, featuring a look at the mythology that inspired the book (complete with stunning art) and five original Bourdain recipes that for a vegetarian or a vegan read very much like a continuation of the main nightmarish narrative.
All in all a fun read, oddly appropriate in my twisted mind for Thanksgiving, the day of determinedly defying the sheer concept of being hungry. Beware the ghosts. Recommended for readers with strong stomachs.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
The basic structure of this book is a campfire set up, albeit Japanese flavored, meaning people gather around to tell the scariest stories they can think of, tempting the ghosts and ghouls lurking around, just waiting to pounce on their souls. They do so in front of the mirror amid lit candles. Samurai style.
And sure enough, these stories get progressive darker and scarier as the book progresses, visceral terrors that have a distinct Japanese otherness to them. The sort of thing one probably shouldn’t read before bed.
There’s also a nice collection of supplemental materials, featuring a look at the mythology that inspired the book (complete with stunning art) and five original Bourdain recipes that for a vegetarian or a vegan read very much like a continuation of the main nightmarish narrative.
All in all a fun read, oddly appropriate in my twisted mind for Thanksgiving, the day of determinedly defying the sheer concept of being hungry. Beware the ghosts. Recommended for readers with strong stomachs.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
June 19, 2018
I read this in single issues, published January through April 2018.
I highly recommend the collected edition once it is published (October schedule).
I'm already missing the observational skills and honesty of Anthony Bourdain. He wasn't perfect but he was genuine. Those properties are reflected in his comics work as well.
This is a clever anthology of food-themed horror stories taken from Japanese mythology and placed in various global settings.
I wrote an extended review of these issues on my blog, which you can access via this link:
https://popculturepodium.blogspot.com...
I highly recommend the collected edition once it is published (October schedule).
I'm already missing the observational skills and honesty of Anthony Bourdain. He wasn't perfect but he was genuine. Those properties are reflected in his comics work as well.
This is a clever anthology of food-themed horror stories taken from Japanese mythology and placed in various global settings.
I wrote an extended review of these issues on my blog, which you can access via this link:
https://popculturepodium.blogspot.com...
October 18, 2018
I was intrigued by a comic that integrated Japanese folk horror with cooking. Plus, I wanted to read something that may inspire me to try cooking different dishes.
Gory images mixed with storytelling--graphic imagery and a taste of some of the Japanese folk tale (one I have to confess I heard many times) but not so great for stimulating the appetite or encouraging one to cook. Nevertheless, it did a good job of introducing horror stories in relationship with food.
Gory images mixed with storytelling--graphic imagery and a taste of some of the Japanese folk tale (one I have to confess I heard many times) but not so great for stimulating the appetite or encouraging one to cook. Nevertheless, it did a good job of introducing horror stories in relationship with food.
October 21, 2018
An inventive set of tales that features all the tastiness of modern comics art (Francavilla and Pope and Santaluoco, oh my) but lacks a bit of substance. The stories, as is tradition in anthologies, vary in quality, which means some issues are half-full of great stuff and half-full of, erm, the rest. Still, a very worthy dish for fans of the horror genre.
October 26, 2018
Delightfully creepy selection of stories drawn directly from Japanese traditional tales, with appropriately brilliant and lurid illustrations. Not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. The stories are accompanied by several luscious and elaborate Bourdain recipes which tie in rather wickedly to the stories. However, I found it difficult to contemplate cooking and eating directly after reading this graphic novel!
December 8, 2018
Horror book? Check! Has Yokai? Check! Graphic novel? Check!
It had a so many things going for it for me and it just missed it's mark. Maybe because the short stories were not long enough to get me fully invested. I can not put my finger on it exactly. My favorite story out of all of them was the "Salty Horses". Nice, creepy, and the horses reminded me more of a nightmare than a yokai. Still this is short so give this a try! ~Ashley
It had a so many things going for it for me and it just missed it's mark. Maybe because the short stories were not long enough to get me fully invested. I can not put my finger on it exactly. My favorite story out of all of them was the "Salty Horses". Nice, creepy, and the horses reminded me more of a nightmare than a yokai. Still this is short so give this a try! ~Ashley
July 20, 2018
I enjoy Anthony Bourdain's writing and mourn the loss of his voice. Unlike his other writings i don't hear his voice in my head when I read it, but I love that he worked in comics. His sensibilities still come through. I look forward to picking up the other issues
December 13, 2025
Half-baked.
High concept but weak execution; this collection of stories leans heavily on Japanese folk tales but the result here is an underwhelming achievement.
Includes 20 pages of filler material — recipes, a guide to the Japanese spirits that inspired these tales, and a dozen bios.
There must be a story here, behind the production of this morbid volume, haunted by food and hunger and insatiable cravings, and then the dedication, written just a few days before Bourdain's death.
Perhaps if I hadn't read so many Japanese ghost / spirit stories I might have enjoyed this more.
High concept but weak execution; this collection of stories leans heavily on Japanese folk tales but the result here is an underwhelming achievement.
Includes 20 pages of filler material — recipes, a guide to the Japanese spirits that inspired these tales, and a dozen bios.
There must be a story here, behind the production of this morbid volume, haunted by food and hunger and insatiable cravings, and then the dedication, written just a few days before Bourdain's death.
Perhaps if I hadn't read so many Japanese ghost / spirit stories I might have enjoyed this more.
March 9, 2019
This was a weird one.
The art is excellent, truly. Top notch. And the little "ghost" stories are creepy as hell (some of them). Some of the art is truly disturbing. Creepy. There's a cool section at the back that tells a bit more about all of the various spirits that are in the stories.
So what's weird? I think the stories were a bit too short to have the kind of emotional impact they could have had if they were longer. And some of the stories were weird as fuck in a way that left me thinking, "What the hell was that?" Like...the one with the turtle thing??? I just don't know.
Also, there was little to no segue between the stories...and while it makes sense the way they were framed (the Kaidan), it was not at all fleshed out. Like...where did the important people go? Did the chefs survive the game? Did anything happen to the guests??? I seriously thought we were up against the guests finding out they were eating people or something... but... but??? IDK. The idea was there, the art was good, but it really fell short of being a good overall story. I think it was originally published as 4 separate issues, but that doesn't mean the story shouldn't be cohesive.
(I left a few notes about specific stories in my updates as I was reading.)
The recipes look good! There's one for ramen. Mm mm.
The art is excellent, truly. Top notch. And the little "ghost" stories are creepy as hell (some of them). Some of the art is truly disturbing. Creepy. There's a cool section at the back that tells a bit more about all of the various spirits that are in the stories.
So what's weird? I think the stories were a bit too short to have the kind of emotional impact they could have had if they were longer. And some of the stories were weird as fuck in a way that left me thinking, "What the hell was that?" Like...the one with the turtle thing??? I just don't know.
Also, there was little to no segue between the stories...and while it makes sense the way they were framed (the Kaidan), it was not at all fleshed out. Like...where did the important people go? Did the chefs survive the game? Did anything happen to the guests??? I seriously thought we were up against the guests finding out they were eating people or something... but... but??? IDK. The idea was there, the art was good, but it really fell short of being a good overall story. I think it was originally published as 4 separate issues, but that doesn't mean the story shouldn't be cohesive.
(I left a few notes about specific stories in my updates as I was reading.)
The recipes look good! There's one for ramen. Mm mm.
September 23, 2019
Quite fun
I was skeptical at first but this was a clever little collection of Japanese ghost stories. The artists were all top quality, and the stories were suitably horrific (not for children). My one complaint is that of editing and pacing, indicating there was no central creative direction. Many of the stories wrapped up without proper impact given to certain events. Additionally, there really ought to have been a single artist illustrating and setting the scene for the framing story, so that there was consistency and character development among those characters. Scenes depicting the framing story often changed environments completely, which combined with the change in art style gave the story a spookier ethereal quality but also made it impossible to follow along with any of the characters.
I was skeptical at first but this was a clever little collection of Japanese ghost stories. The artists were all top quality, and the stories were suitably horrific (not for children). My one complaint is that of editing and pacing, indicating there was no central creative direction. Many of the stories wrapped up without proper impact given to certain events. Additionally, there really ought to have been a single artist illustrating and setting the scene for the framing story, so that there was consistency and character development among those characters. Scenes depicting the framing story often changed environments completely, which combined with the change in art style gave the story a spookier ethereal quality but also made it impossible to follow along with any of the characters.
June 10, 2018
Japanese Ghosts, Food, Great Artists (Pope, Ponticelli, Manco, Francavilla) and Karen Berger. Already the anthology book of the year?
—- While reading this I learned about the dead of Anthony Bourdain, co-creator of this book. A lot of us Europeans might not now him but this American masterchef, well esteemed tv host, world traveler and all around nice guy was a very talented writer and huge star in America.
He took his life in a hostel in Paris at the age of 61.
May his spirit rest in peace. —-
—- While reading this I learned about the dead of Anthony Bourdain, co-creator of this book. A lot of us Europeans might not now him but this American masterchef, well esteemed tv host, world traveler and all around nice guy was a very talented writer and huge star in America.
He took his life in a hostel in Paris at the age of 61.
May his spirit rest in peace. —-
December 11, 2021
3.5 Stars!
To be honest I am not entirely sure what Bourdain’s creative contribution to this was, but this is a fun enough read. It embodies so many of the classic and traditional elements of horror stories that you can’t help but feel a comforting warmth about it, in spite of the often gruesome or violent content.
These stories are very short, sometimes too short, and they recall so many other well-known formats which have been coming out for years. This may not score too high in terms of originality, but it was still a pleasure to read, and I really enjoyed the art work too.
September 7, 2020
Extremely disappointed by this collection. While some the the artwork does stretch to being engaging and memorable, too much of it does not. The real tragedy is the writing, all the stories lack any sort of structure. They are all so short that there's never a chance to develop any interest in the characters or the worlds they inhabit - though at the same time the content is so paper thin that theres really nothing that could be stretched out and plotted into a more polished narrative.
Read
March 8, 2020Can't remember much about this (or even if I finished it) except that it seemed kind of pointless.
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