What do you think?
Rate this book
Chu
Chu, Vol. 1: First Course
Tony Chu is a cibopath, able to get psychic impressions from what he eats. Saffron Chu is a cibopars, able to learn secrets from who she eats with. Tony is a cop. Saffron is a criminal. They are brother and sister, and they are on a collusion course. Spinning out of the Eisner awarding winning and New York Times best-selling series CHEW comes CHU, a felonious new food-noir about cops, crooks, cooks, & clairvoyants.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2021
8 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
John Layman
821 books588 followersJohn Steele Layman is an American comic book writer and letterer. Layman is most known for writing Chew, published by Image Comics.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Want to read
December 1, 2020TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS PLEASE
December 4, 2020
Oh hey, a Chew spin-off! Remember Chew? It seems like hardly anybody does at this point, but it was a good book while it lasted, and then it lasted some more. Chu, though — Chu’s pretty alright so far.
This time the story follows Saffron Chu, Tony’s sister who I honestly can’t remember if she ever appeared or was mentioned in the main book, it’s been a while since I read it. But anyway, Saffron is a bit of a problem child — she does some shady stuff, she messes with some wrong people and just generally gets into all kinds of trouble, and of course she does all that with the help of a food-related superpower. Saffron is a cibopars, which means she can read people’s minds when she eats exactly the same food as them!
The book shares some of that sense of humor and chaotic energy of its predecessor, though the story and the tone are quite different. The plot‘s fun from beginning to end, though occasionally the pacing felt a bit off, and some explanations have gotten wordier than I would prefer. Still, those are small nitpicks that didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book. The final issue also managed to pull an absolutely brilliant stunt that‘s so very reminiscent of those Chew end-volume cappers, proving that Layman still has it where it counts.
Art-wise, Dan Boultwood does a fantastic job in Rob Guillory’s absence. His style is similar to Guillory’s and yet with its own individuality, it’s a bit more slick and refined, and it fits the story perfectly.
I was skeptical at first when I heard about Chew getting a spin-off, but the first volume of Chu turned out really well and left me hopeful for the book’s future — I only hope it won’t get artificially stretched out for the sake of a running gag. No “Issue #60” flash-forwards this time, please, John?
This time the story follows Saffron Chu, Tony’s sister who I honestly can’t remember if she ever appeared or was mentioned in the main book, it’s been a while since I read it. But anyway, Saffron is a bit of a problem child — she does some shady stuff, she messes with some wrong people and just generally gets into all kinds of trouble, and of course she does all that with the help of a food-related superpower. Saffron is a cibopars, which means she can read people’s minds when she eats exactly the same food as them!
The book shares some of that sense of humor and chaotic energy of its predecessor, though the story and the tone are quite different. The plot‘s fun from beginning to end, though occasionally the pacing felt a bit off, and some explanations have gotten wordier than I would prefer. Still, those are small nitpicks that didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the book. The final issue also managed to pull an absolutely brilliant stunt that‘s so very reminiscent of those Chew end-volume cappers, proving that Layman still has it where it counts.
Art-wise, Dan Boultwood does a fantastic job in Rob Guillory’s absence. His style is similar to Guillory’s and yet with its own individuality, it’s a bit more slick and refined, and it fits the story perfectly.
I was skeptical at first when I heard about Chew getting a spin-off, but the first volume of Chu turned out really well and left me hopeful for the book’s future — I only hope it won’t get artificially stretched out for the sake of a running gag. No “Issue #60” flash-forwards this time, please, John?
April 12, 2024
I hadn't realized how much I missed the Chew series until I started reading this fun prequel. Set at the start of the avian bird pandemic that will reshape Tony Chu's entire world, we are introduced to his criminally-inclined sister, Saffron Chu. When a heist goes wrong, she finds herself dodging a crime boss's hitmen and her police detective brother.
Fast-paced and funny. I'm asking my library to purchase the next volume in the series.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: The First Course, Chapters 1-5 / John Layman, writer; Dan Boultwood, illustrator -- Extras / Dan Boultwood and Rob Guillory, illustrators
Fast-paced and funny. I'm asking my library to purchase the next volume in the series.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: The First Course, Chapters 1-5 / John Layman, writer; Dan Boultwood, illustrator -- Extras / Dan Boultwood and Rob Guillory, illustrators
January 24, 2021
John Layman and Rob Guillory's Chew, Vol. 1: Taster's Choice is one of my favorite 21st century comic series. It was fun, moderately consistent (apart from a few speedbumps near the end), and unlike any other story in comics.
When I heard Layman was coming back to play around in the Chew Universe, I was excited. I thought it might focus on his daughter, his sister's perspective of the original story, or just focus on different moments that we may have missed out on in the original run. Instead, we have an alternate retelling with many familiar characters, and then a sibling who didn't appear in the original volume.
I wish I found this intriguing and cool, but apart from really enjoying the one page revisiting of the early Chew trope of "This is Tony Chu....", this didn't feel at all like the series I loved a few years ago.
With no disrespect to Dan Boultwood, whose art is vibrant and striking, and works really well with Saffron being the focus character, I think the reason I enjoyed "Chew" so much wasn't John Layman, but Rob Guillory. While Layman's "Chu" doesn't have the same magic that "Chew" did, Guillory's Farmhand, Vol. 1: Reap What Was Sown feels exactly the same. The use of flashbacks, the Easter eggs, the unbridled joy, everything I loved in "Chew" is present there.
If you loved "Chew", I highly recommend picking "Farmhand" up. And while you should also probably pick up "Chu" and see if it speaks to you, don't be surprised if the first volume leaves a weird aftertaste in your mouth.
When I heard Layman was coming back to play around in the Chew Universe, I was excited. I thought it might focus on his daughter, his sister's perspective of the original story, or just focus on different moments that we may have missed out on in the original run. Instead, we have an alternate retelling with many familiar characters, and then a sibling who didn't appear in the original volume.
I wish I found this intriguing and cool, but apart from really enjoying the one page revisiting of the early Chew trope of "This is Tony Chu....", this didn't feel at all like the series I loved a few years ago.
With no disrespect to Dan Boultwood, whose art is vibrant and striking, and works really well with Saffron being the focus character, I think the reason I enjoyed "Chew" so much wasn't John Layman, but Rob Guillory. While Layman's "Chu" doesn't have the same magic that "Chew" did, Guillory's Farmhand, Vol. 1: Reap What Was Sown feels exactly the same. The use of flashbacks, the Easter eggs, the unbridled joy, everything I loved in "Chew" is present there.
If you loved "Chew", I highly recommend picking "Farmhand" up. And while you should also probably pick up "Chu" and see if it speaks to you, don't be surprised if the first volume leaves a weird aftertaste in your mouth.
January 15, 2021
Chu is a spin-off of John Layman and Rob Guillory's Chew, about a detective who gets psychic impressions from anything he eats - including dead bodies. Chu focuses on his sister, who can read the memories of anyone she shares a meal with (as long as it's an identical meal).
The Chew-niverse was always fun. It was wacky and mad, but it was grounded in reality and had a strong mystery that kept it going all the way through. Chu doesn't capture the humour quite so well just yet, but this prequel/interquel arc is off to a good start.
Saffron Chu isn't an entirely likeable protagonist as yet either - she's trying to do the right thing, but it's never going to end well (there's a reason she wasn't around during the main Chew book, after all). So sometimes she comes off a little selfish, even while her hijinks are entertaining.
Dan Boultwood's artwork is also doing its best, but the visual style and background jokes that Rob Guillory gave Chew are definitely missed. It's nice that this book looks different, since it's definitely a different animal, and there are enough similarities that you can tell it's all meant to sit in the same world even if it's not exactly the same.
Chu sets the table for what is hopefully a gourmet course in comics, but the appetizer isn't really filling enough to know whether the meal itself is going to live up to its predecessor just yet.
(The real reason Chew ended was because they got sick of my awful food metaphors while I was reviewing it.)
The Chew-niverse was always fun. It was wacky and mad, but it was grounded in reality and had a strong mystery that kept it going all the way through. Chu doesn't capture the humour quite so well just yet, but this prequel/interquel arc is off to a good start.
Saffron Chu isn't an entirely likeable protagonist as yet either - she's trying to do the right thing, but it's never going to end well (there's a reason she wasn't around during the main Chew book, after all). So sometimes she comes off a little selfish, even while her hijinks are entertaining.
Dan Boultwood's artwork is also doing its best, but the visual style and background jokes that Rob Guillory gave Chew are definitely missed. It's nice that this book looks different, since it's definitely a different animal, and there are enough similarities that you can tell it's all meant to sit in the same world even if it's not exactly the same.
Chu sets the table for what is hopefully a gourmet course in comics, but the appetizer isn't really filling enough to know whether the meal itself is going to live up to its predecessor just yet.
(The real reason Chew ended was because they got sick of my awful food metaphors while I was reviewing it.)
January 29, 2021
First of all, this is one of the most insane books I've ever read but it still makes perfect sense and that's why I enjoyed it so much. There are a ton of plot holes and things that seriously do not make any sense, but John Layman and Dan Boultwood made it so that you don't even care because you're having so much fun.
The story of CHEW is one of my favorites and getting a glimpse at the events that happened before that fantastic series even started is a treat. That the glimpse is through Tony Chu's sister made it double better.
And all the sight gags and non-sequiturs in the background make it an excellent reread as well. I actually went back right after I finished the story to look for all the things I had missed and enjoyed that almost as much as I'd enjoyed the story itself.
The only reason I'm not rating this as high as it can be is that, as much as I enjoyed it, I was constantly aware that a large part of my enjoyment came directly from how much I enjoyed CHEW. I'd be interested in seeing how someone completely new to the story would react to it.
The story of CHEW is one of my favorites and getting a glimpse at the events that happened before that fantastic series even started is a treat. That the glimpse is through Tony Chu's sister made it double better.
And all the sight gags and non-sequiturs in the background make it an excellent reread as well. I actually went back right after I finished the story to look for all the things I had missed and enjoyed that almost as much as I'd enjoyed the story itself.
The only reason I'm not rating this as high as it can be is that, as much as I enjoyed it, I was constantly aware that a large part of my enjoyment came directly from how much I enjoyed CHEW. I'd be interested in seeing how someone completely new to the story would react to it.
January 31, 2021
Well shit. I was worried about how this would fit in the Chew timeline, but it was actually a perfect addition to the world.
January 31, 2021
A sequel that matches the previous series. I look forward to more. I would imagine if you liked Chew, Vol. 1: Taster's Choice, like I did, you will like this too.
February 2, 2021
If you've read Chew, you have to have an unbiased clear mind. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 19, 2022
I did prefer this over the original Chew series. More interesting set of abilities, and more fun to see a criminal than a cop.
July 3, 2023
3.5 Stars
April 16, 2021
This was exactly what i wanted, bloody and gore it was sooo good. Cant wait for volume 2
Read
January 21, 2021Chew was a comic about detective Tony Chu, who has the power to learn the history of anything he eats (except beets). Chu is a belated spin-off following his sister Saffron Chu, who if she has ever been mentioned before, is certainly not one of the siblings I remember featuring in the original series, and who has the power to learn things by eating with people instead. Now, part of the beauty of Chew was the increasingly silly food-related powers which got introduced as the series went along, but this sudden interest in various relatives who you'd think might have played a bigger part in that previous saga can't help feeling a little forced. More than that, although John Layman is still writing, Rob Guillory is now too busy to do the art, and for me that was always a big part of the appeal. The way Guillory rides the edge between comic and grotesque, the little details he sneaks in, feel to me like a more adult version of the best Beano artists, and that's something he's carried across from Chew to his own series Farmhand, which captures much of the same queasily amusing tone. I'm convinced this is the reason none of the attempts to bring Chew to screens have worked; what looks yucky but fun while Guillory is drawing would just be gross done as live action. Chu doesn't exactly have that problem, but instead it feels, despite all the blood and barf, like the ill-advised Saturday morning cartoon version of Chew. The artist now is Dan Boultwood, and while I'm glad to see him working with someone other than frequent but rubbish collaborator Tony Lee, and have fond memories of the ridiculous evening on which I met him back in the days when one might casually meet friends of friends in pubs with no thought for the size of the group, he ain't Rob Guillory. The slightly flat look and lurid colours of the art exacerbate a sense that this series has all the pace of its sibling, but lacks the grain which made it feel substantial as well as silly.
And then there's the bit where the Chew backstory was already built around a pandemic, which inevitably serves as more of a downer nowadays. Especially when that one, supposedly spread by chicken, led to a world where years later chicken is still forbidden – and ours is spread by human interaction.
Of course, I wasn't that taken with the first volume of Chew either, so despite all of this, I'd still feel obliged to check out the second volume of Chu if I came across it cheap.
(Edelweiss ARC)
And then there's the bit where the Chew backstory was already built around a pandemic, which inevitably serves as more of a downer nowadays. Especially when that one, supposedly spread by chicken, led to a world where years later chicken is still forbidden – and ours is spread by human interaction.
Of course, I wasn't that taken with the first volume of Chew either, so despite all of this, I'd still feel obliged to check out the second volume of Chu if I came across it cheap.
(Edelweiss ARC)
January 26, 2021
This was a fun start to a new series in the Chew-niverse. I think the total flip of following a criminal rather than a detective is going to bring a lot of great adventures, volume one is already full of dead bodies and the criminal underworld.
The first big change that could have lead to disaster is the lack of Rob Guillory. Guillory's art style is such an iconic part of Chew, so I had teeny doubts about a totally different artist taking the reins. Fortunately Dan Boultwood fits in perfectly with the Chew gang. His art isn't too dissimilar to Guillory's style that it disconnects from the world, but it also brings a fresh, more youthful look to the characters. The colours seem bolder, the characters prettier, and the world is not so grim - which totally makes sense considering this is pre chicken prohibition / millions dying!
Seeing characters we know and love in this new style is a little jolting - I didn't realise just how different the styles were until Tony made his first appearance - but because future volumes will be filled with new characters, I don't think the new change in direction will be too noticeable as the series continues.
First Course is set quite a few years before Chew. Tony is still a small time detective, the chicken pandemic is only at it's grassroots and the events that take place in Chew aren't even a possibility in the minds of the most paranoid. This does lead to a little bit of an awkward beginning though, because a lot of things have had to be retconned. For example, our main character Saffron isn't even mentioned in Chew, so First Course is used as a bit of a backstory to give us a reason why she was erased from her family.
The most prominent retconning though was Tony using his cibopath powers in his line of work to find criminals. This is set before Olive is even born, and we know from the first volume of Chew that this use of his powers was kind of found out by accident. So that did take a while to settle for me. Years and years ago he is using it casually with his old partner, but the very start of Chew volume 1 his boss is baffled at why he knew so much about the murderer and why he was chomping on him? Definitely a hard brain flip. This is a transitional volume though, so I don't think Tony will play a prominent part - or any part - of the rest of this series, so the retconning isn't going to be something we will have to keep in mind, or even remember, to enjoy the adventures of Saffron in Chu.
This volume was an origins story of sorts, but right at the end we are given a little taste of what crazy antics are coming for volume two, and I for one cannot wait to dive in.
The first big change that could have lead to disaster is the lack of Rob Guillory. Guillory's art style is such an iconic part of Chew, so I had teeny doubts about a totally different artist taking the reins. Fortunately Dan Boultwood fits in perfectly with the Chew gang. His art isn't too dissimilar to Guillory's style that it disconnects from the world, but it also brings a fresh, more youthful look to the characters. The colours seem bolder, the characters prettier, and the world is not so grim - which totally makes sense considering this is pre chicken prohibition / millions dying!
Seeing characters we know and love in this new style is a little jolting - I didn't realise just how different the styles were until Tony made his first appearance - but because future volumes will be filled with new characters, I don't think the new change in direction will be too noticeable as the series continues.
First Course is set quite a few years before Chew. Tony is still a small time detective, the chicken pandemic is only at it's grassroots and the events that take place in Chew aren't even a possibility in the minds of the most paranoid. This does lead to a little bit of an awkward beginning though, because a lot of things have had to be retconned. For example, our main character Saffron isn't even mentioned in Chew, so First Course is used as a bit of a backstory to give us a reason why she was erased from her family.
The most prominent retconning though was Tony using his cibopath powers in his line of work to find criminals. This is set before Olive is even born, and we know from the first volume of Chew that this use of his powers was kind of found out by accident. So that did take a while to settle for me. Years and years ago he is using it casually with his old partner, but the very start of Chew volume 1 his boss is baffled at why he knew so much about the murderer and why he was chomping on him? Definitely a hard brain flip. This is a transitional volume though, so I don't think Tony will play a prominent part - or any part - of the rest of this series, so the retconning isn't going to be something we will have to keep in mind, or even remember, to enjoy the adventures of Saffron in Chu.
This volume was an origins story of sorts, but right at the end we are given a little taste of what crazy antics are coming for volume two, and I for one cannot wait to dive in.
February 17, 2021
This series is a prequel to the excellent "Chew" written by John Layman and illustrated by Rob Guillory.
"Chew" starred Tony Chu, a detective for the FDA who is also a cibopath, someone who gets psychic visions from whatever he eats. If he eats an apple he can see it's journey from tree to store, if he bites a dead body he can see that journey too.
It's a weird and unique series that I loved, so I approached this book with some trepidation. "Chu" that shows us a young Tony Chu and his less than law abiding sister Saffron who has the ability to learn secrets from whatever she eats.
The risk of a prequel is that they often retread the same old ground or end up ruining what came before through a series of retcons. Or often simply don't add anything of value and seem to exist just to sell to people who enjoyed the original.
So I'm not really sure where "Chu" sits in all of this. I didn't dislike it, but it did leave me wondering if I really need to know more of this story? The original series is so great as a stand-alone story that I don't know if I really need to see how it all came about.
I honestly can't even remember if Saffron appears in the original series, so at least that gives me one element of suspense. I don't know where her character is going. And while I know Tony's future, there are questions about his past that are unanswered I don't know if I need them to be.
While Layman writes this series Dan Boultwood takes over as artist on this series and he had big shoes to fill. And he does an excellent job. He takes the existing characters and gives them his own spin, while keeping them and the world recognisable. I appreciate that he doesn't try to replicate Guillory's style, and it works. It's definitely the highlight of the book.
I suspect this first volume is setting the groundwork for what's to follow, so I'll keep reading, but right now I'm kind of at "it was okay" state of mind.
"Chew" starred Tony Chu, a detective for the FDA who is also a cibopath, someone who gets psychic visions from whatever he eats. If he eats an apple he can see it's journey from tree to store, if he bites a dead body he can see that journey too.
It's a weird and unique series that I loved, so I approached this book with some trepidation. "Chu" that shows us a young Tony Chu and his less than law abiding sister Saffron who has the ability to learn secrets from whatever she eats.
The risk of a prequel is that they often retread the same old ground or end up ruining what came before through a series of retcons. Or often simply don't add anything of value and seem to exist just to sell to people who enjoyed the original.
So I'm not really sure where "Chu" sits in all of this. I didn't dislike it, but it did leave me wondering if I really need to know more of this story? The original series is so great as a stand-alone story that I don't know if I really need to see how it all came about.
I honestly can't even remember if Saffron appears in the original series, so at least that gives me one element of suspense. I don't know where her character is going. And while I know Tony's future, there are questions about his past that are unanswered I don't know if I need them to be.
While Layman writes this series Dan Boultwood takes over as artist on this series and he had big shoes to fill. And he does an excellent job. He takes the existing characters and gives them his own spin, while keeping them and the world recognisable. I appreciate that he doesn't try to replicate Guillory's style, and it works. It's definitely the highlight of the book.
I suspect this first volume is setting the groundwork for what's to follow, so I'll keep reading, but right now I'm kind of at "it was okay" state of mind.
February 7, 2021
It's a prequel to Chew, and there are some things I do not like about prequels. I think these are the things some people appreciate about them, so take it for what it's worth.
I loved Chew, and I hate to admit that peak Chew for me was the time Tony had to solve a case by detective work so that he didn't have to use his powers by eating a piece of shit. Amazing setup. Simultaneously brilliant and for snickering children, which is exactly where I likes my books.
That should tell you everything you need to know about my tastes, and if you're still following my reviews at this point, you should really be questioning your life choices.
I loved Chew, and I hate to admit that peak Chew for me was the time Tony had to solve a case by detective work so that he didn't have to use his powers by eating a piece of shit. Amazing setup. Simultaneously brilliant and for snickering children, which is exactly where I likes my books.
That should tell you everything you need to know about my tastes, and if you're still following my reviews at this point, you should really be questioning your life choices.
January 22, 2021
Read as a digital review copy
I enjoyed reading this and revisiting the setting of Chew and the Chu family. This was entertaining, but I didn't enjoy the art as much as that of Rob Guillory, though Dan Boultwood maintains a similar vibe. The writing and little details in the background of panels weren't as witty as in the original Chew series. I love the concept that this sets up, and I'm looking forward to reading more, because who doesn't love a thief and cop cat and mouse? Plus, this one will have brother-sister dynamics with people who have magical eating abilities!
I enjoyed reading this and revisiting the setting of Chew and the Chu family. This was entertaining, but I didn't enjoy the art as much as that of Rob Guillory, though Dan Boultwood maintains a similar vibe. The writing and little details in the background of panels weren't as witty as in the original Chew series. I love the concept that this sets up, and I'm looking forward to reading more, because who doesn't love a thief and cop cat and mouse? Plus, this one will have brother-sister dynamics with people who have magical eating abilities!
July 20, 2021
First volume in a spin off series of Chew - while that series focused on detective Tony who could learn the provenance of anything he ate, this one on his criminal sister Saffron who can read the mind of anyone who's eating the same meal. Saffron never appeared in the original series - she's the black sheep and in this book we see her cutting ties with the family.
So far I found this interesting, albeit violent and blackly funny (which is par for the course with Chew) - but I am a bit worried by an interview with Layman where he says it's just going to get worse and that noir stories don't end well? WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS?
So far I found this interesting, albeit violent and blackly funny (which is par for the course with Chew) - but I am a bit worried by an interview with Layman where he says it's just going to get worse and that noir stories don't end well? WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THIS?
December 29, 2021
When I saw it, I couldn't help but buy it. This is the first, fun chapter of a new series set in the world of Chew. I've read the whole series focusing on the adventures of the cibopath detective and I must say that John Layman and Rob Guillory have created a wonderful series.
This series is a prequel/reboot of the original one, centered on the character of Saffron Chu, Tony's sister, a cibopars, able to learn all the secrets of people who eat the same food with her. The fact that, unlike Tony, Saffron is a criminal, brings more adventures and more trouble, killers in action, underworld bosses eager for revenge, and a slew of corpses popping up since the early chapters.
Here, there are many of the characters already seen in the previous series, such as members of the Chu family and John Colby. In this new work, in place of Guillory there is Dan Boultwood, but the change of designer has not disappointed, indeed the result is truly spectacular and has given a new vitality to the characters.
Judging from how this first volume ended, I expect another great story in the next one.
This series is a prequel/reboot of the original one, centered on the character of Saffron Chu, Tony's sister, a cibopars, able to learn all the secrets of people who eat the same food with her. The fact that, unlike Tony, Saffron is a criminal, brings more adventures and more trouble, killers in action, underworld bosses eager for revenge, and a slew of corpses popping up since the early chapters.
Here, there are many of the characters already seen in the previous series, such as members of the Chu family and John Colby. In this new work, in place of Guillory there is Dan Boultwood, but the change of designer has not disappointed, indeed the result is truly spectacular and has given a new vitality to the characters.
Judging from how this first volume ended, I expect another great story in the next one.
April 8, 2022
pre-sequel to the GREAT series "Chew", this book focuses on his shady sister. She's got the ability to learn things from who she's eating with. We never met her in the pages of "Chew" and this book shows us why.
While trying hard to be like the original, "Chu" doesn't quite go above and beyond. It shoots its shot and....it's ok? By no means a bad book, this collection of the first 5 sssues is just getting off the starting line.
Bonus: avian bird flu? Chicken themed again?
Bonus Bonus: How many chances do you give family OR crappy boyfriends?
While trying hard to be like the original, "Chu" doesn't quite go above and beyond. It shoots its shot and....it's ok? By no means a bad book, this collection of the first 5 sssues is just getting off the starting line.
Bonus: avian bird flu? Chicken themed again?
Bonus Bonus: How many chances do you give family OR crappy boyfriends?
March 21, 2021
Writing is A+. This title is the perfect prequel sequel to the beloved Chew series. Layman laying down a great script with great pacing.
Art doesn’t seem to fit entirely. It’s so cartoony, and it loses the grit we got from Guillory’s Chew. I mean why is Saffron so cartoon-bodacious-looking? I dom’t know, the writing’s doing it for me, but the art feels too tame.
Art doesn’t seem to fit entirely. It’s so cartoony, and it loses the grit we got from Guillory’s Chew. I mean why is Saffron so cartoon-bodacious-looking? I dom’t know, the writing’s doing it for me, but the art feels too tame.
June 12, 2021
Okay, so I definitely recommend you start with Chew first, because otherwise, this could be really confusing. While I suppose it could be read on its own, there are just too many crossover references, and you might miss something.
The artwork is great, the story bizarre--pretty much exactly as I would expect from this new series. I was a bit worried the series wouldn't continue, as there aren't any other volumes listed as of yet, and this volume came out in January, five months ago. The final issue was last published November of last year. After some investigation, I was glad to see that it will be returning in July. Phew! I'll stay tuned for the continuation of the story.
The artwork is great, the story bizarre--pretty much exactly as I would expect from this new series. I was a bit worried the series wouldn't continue, as there aren't any other volumes listed as of yet, and this volume came out in January, five months ago. The final issue was last published November of last year. After some investigation, I was glad to see that it will be returning in July. Phew! I'll stay tuned for the continuation of the story.
December 4, 2020
Lively comedy thriller adventure comic, that would appear pitched perfectly at teens if it weren't for the swearing, barfing and exposed brains. Or perhaps that should read, BECAUSE of the swearing, barfing and exposed brains. I didn't know the first cycle of books this spins off from, but this was a perfect jumping-on point, the voice-over narrator has a nice touch of levity, and if you can cope with the bright colouring, funky design and the delight it takes in splatter and gross-out black comedy, this is a success.
October 21, 2024
A grand return to the world of CHEW! The original author and a new illustrator are back to chronicle the criminal adventures of Saffron Chu, Tony's sister. CHU features familiar touches, more camp, and a stellar Volume 1 ending!
December 30, 2024
Action. Great illustrations. Super powers. Toxic family relationships. Detectives. Crime solving. Right up my alley.
Chu is a spin off of Chew, he brother the Detective. Maybe I'll read that once finished with this series.
Chu is a spin off of Chew, he brother the Detective. Maybe I'll read that once finished with this series.
January 31, 2026
Man, I MISSED the CHEWniverse!
Even though not as strong as Chew’s story and complexity, it was still fun.
Wish they had done more issues/volumes but I will have to do with the second and final TPB.
Even though not as strong as Chew’s story and complexity, it was still fun.
Wish they had done more issues/volumes but I will have to do with the second and final TPB.
February 3, 2021
An enjoyable prequel to Chew. Not as deeply bonkers as Chew, and I didn't see so much in the drawings by this artist.
May 8, 2022
A prequel, if you will, to the original Chew storyline. Similar pace and entertainment value and hidden gems/easter eggs, but this time more grit and darker storyline. Enjoyed it, just learned about it, looking for vol. 2 now. Hooked!
January 20, 2024
Continues the story great from a different perspective. Still great art. Creative powers. Great family tension.
September 5, 2024
I liked it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews