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.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Strange Tales II #2 – I love anthologies and seeing a bunch of indy creators get to play with our favorite Marvel characters from different eras was a real treat.  Runners-up: Taskmaster #3 & Scarlet #3

Most Anticipated: Amazing Spider-Man #648 – This is the first issue without the rotating team of creators that have entertained us for the last several years.  It will be very interesting to see what Dan Slott will do with this title as the primary creative force.

Other picks: American Vampire #8, Unwritten #19, She-Hulks #1, Halcyon #1, Avengers Prime #3

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Superboy #1 – This week was all about Jeff Lemire, as his two ongoings were the front runners for pick of the week.  In the end though, Superboy gets it, if only for the novelty of being new.  That said, this is a great book, one that combines Lemire’s idiosyncracies and unique talents with his clear love for the DCU.  It’s a thoughtful, high-quality product, but one that’s also written by a writer whose excitement is utterly infectious.

Most Anticipated: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1 – I don’t know a damned thing about the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents property beyond what the solicitation text has told me about this issue.  What I do know a lot about are the creative team of Nick Spencer and CAFU, which is a ridiculously good one.  T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agent’s hook is a cool one but, more than that, I’m hoping that the fact that this is a relaunch of a long dormant property will allow Spencer and CAFU a good amount of freedom, as both are very, very good at what they do.

Other Picks: Amazing Spider-Man #648, Thor #617, Chew #15, American Vampire #8, Batman: the Return of Bruce Wayne #6, New Avengers #6, the Unwritten #19