Chew #15 – Review

by John Layman (writer & letterer) and Rob Guillory (art & colors)

The Story: We meet Tony’s dysfunctional family as they gather for a less than legal Thanksgiving dinner.

What’s Good: It’s a cliché, I know, but Layman really puts the “fun” in dysfunction when it comes to Tony’s family.  There’s really no other way to describe it; it’s a mixture of realistic familial animosity and issues with the utterly ridiculous (there’s a really bizarre cross-dresser thrown in their just for good measure).  Then there’s Chow Chu, who’s always a blast to read.

Better still is Tony’s twin sister, Toni, whose endless energy and optimism make for a character that’s impossible to dislike, particularly when paired with Guillory’s always likable facial expressions and poses.  She’s a great addition to the cast, with a bouncy, gleeful, and unflappable personality that’s unique in the comic and certainly works well with the other characters.

Of course, Toni is not the only major character introduced this month.  There’s also a character that is an absolute bombshell of a reveal and is a total game-changer for the series.  The fact that Layman has put off even hinting at this character’s existence until issue fifteen is downright crazy.  It’s a moment that’s sure to catch you off-guard and, most likely, shock you.  The fact that it’s taken this long for the character to show up, and the fact that she was always around, just never spoken of, makes it all the better and all the more impactful.

All told, it’s a fun issue.  Amelia and Tony are as adorable as ever, Tony’s family is both fun and intriguing, and Chow Chu does something truly dastardly and, meanwhile, Tony’s ethical dilemma over the illegal turkey hangs over it all.  It’s an easy read that’s a bit like comfort food.

Chew #14 – Review

by John Layman (writer & letterer) and Rob Guillory (art & colors)

The Story: Tony’s past love life is detailed and John has the unfortunate task of confronting the always deadly Mason Savoy.

What’s Good: While Chew is a very funny book, it’s issues like this that remind you that John Layman’s ongoing series isn’t just a series of gags and jokes.  It’s also about human relationships, and that’s what shines through this month.  Amelia and Tony’s relationship continues to be a fun read; it’s always touching, tender, and lovable, while always being just self-aware enough, especially thanks to Guillory’s art, to keep it from ever becoming nauseating.

Then there’s the relationship shared by John and Tony.  Never has there been a stronger proof of John’s loyalty for Tony than what we get this month.  It’s so strong that it could easily enter bromance territory.  It’s also a great character moment for John, again showing that he really does care a great deal about Tony, though he’ll never outright say it to Tony’s face.  It’s stuff like this that makes John such a great character and far more than just a two-dimensional sarcastic joker.

There are laughs to be had as well though.  Layman introduces us to Tony’s psychotic ex-girlfriend Mandy through a series of flashbacks, leading us to believe she’ll be important in the long run of the series.  Suffice it to say that Layman takes the qualities of your typical psycho girlfriend and drives it to over-the-top excess.  It’s great fun.

Rob Guillory’s artwork also helps with all of this.  His illustrations of the despairing Mandy are hilarious and across this issue, he once again proves why he’s one of my favourite comic artists when it comes to characters’ facial expressions.  Guillory’s figures are also great, especially when it comes to portraying the ludicrous action scenes involving the absurdly ninja-like Savoy.

Chew #13 – Review

by John Layman (writer & letters) and Rob Guillory (art & colors)

The Story: Tony discovers the truth behind Montero Industries and Poultplus, their new chicken substitute that everyone is talking about.

What’s Good: It’s rare these days for an artist to get big laughs out of me more or less solely on the merits of his own talents, but that’s exactly what Rob Guillory does this month.  Guillory is quite possibly the most humorous artist in comics today and it’s a good part of what makes his work on Chew so strong.  Everything he does glows with innate comedy, which gives everything that much more life.

This month, Guillory gets us with a number of sight gags.  Obviously, the facial expressions are as good as ever, but I particularly enjoyed other jokes as well, like the inexplicably hostile sports writer in Amelia’s office.  Then there’s the secret behind why Montero’s Poultfree tastes as good as it does.  I won’t spoil it, but Guillory’s art makes the reveal truly laugh out loud funny.  It’s easily the most hilarious artistic concept I’ve seen this month.

Layman’s script is also as good as ever, delivering what makes Chew strong month in and month out.  Tony and Colby’s relationship, for example, is always a treat to watch.  Behind all of his snarkiness, there’s a clear bond between John and Tony and whether either will admit it, Layman makes it clear that the two do like each other.  The dialogue only gets more interesting this month when Colby visits Amelia’s workplace along with Tony; the entry of Amelia into the partners’ unique relationship makes for a fresh twist to an already to fun relationship.  You can imagine the jabs Colby can gleefully dish out at this sort of thing.

Then there’s Applebee, who’s as much of a treat as ever, even if he’s getting weirder by the month.  The ridiculous double-standard he shows this month between Tony and John is really funny and I do like the fact that Layman is slowly going back Applebee giving Tony hell.  I loved awkward Applebee, but I missed the hatred.  Seeing him treat John so much better only makes it even more enjoyable to watch.