When it comes to comics I prefer limited series or those that are not part of the major DC or Marvel universes.  Those get a little out of control and I don’t feel like having Wikipedia open so I can look something up every five seconds.  The comics I really enjoy are those such as Watchmen or Incognito that have their own Universe.  Last November I added ‘Chew’ by Rod Guillory and John Layman to that short list.

Chew is not about superheroes.  But it does feature a guy with strange powers.  Tony Chu is the main character.  He has what is the most unique power of any comic book character.  Tony is a Cibopath which means that if he eats something he can learn everything about it by through psychic impressions.  As the comic explains he could eat an apple and know everything about it including where it was grown and any pesticides or fertilizers used to grow it.

One day Tony and his partner are on a routine assignment when he flashes on something big.  Lets just say that he learns about a horrible crime by eating soup.  This incident attracts the attention of the powers that be in the FDA and Tony gets a promotion that changes his life forever.

Chew combines science fiction with current events.  In this fictional world an epidemic of avian flu has claimed the lives of tens of millions of people the world over.  As a result chicken has been banned in the United States.  Buying selling or owning it is illegal.  The U.S. has turned into fascist police state with the FDA transformed into an organization on par the FBI or Homeland Security.  This has inspired a world of underground mafia rings to continue illicitly selling chicken and terrorists opposed to the ban on chicken.  There are also hints of a government conspiracy.

The world of Chew is a strange one with ninjas, vampires, secret agents and no end of colorful characters.  What really makes the world complete is that other characters are included with food-centric powers such as a food critic that can write about food so vividly that the reader can taste what she tastes.  Also Tony Chu is not the only cibopath.

It is an extraordinary combination that works because although it is weird it is firmly anchored by its emotional content and very human characters.  Tony’s cibopathic power sounds all well and good except that he can only eat one thing, beets, because they block his power.  If he eats meat he will know everything that happened to that animal from the hormones and antibiotics it has been injected with to the conditions it was kept in and its final end.

Many of us don’t know where our food comes from or we choose to look the other way.  For Tony Chu this is not an option.  He is part of a narrow class of comic book characters whose powers are more of a curse such as Dr. Manhattan.  Tony doesn’t even get to fly or have super strength, he just knows all the dark little secrets of the industrial food chain and his power is on all the time.

Tony’s promotion doesn’t improve things with new responsibilities come even worse things that he must eat.  He is given a special assignment closing cold case style crimes with limited evidence.  Of course this leads him and his new partner down some very dark paths.  At one point he has to eat a human finger to find out who it belonged to.  The menu gets a bit grim after that.  Did I mention that you might need a strong stomach to read Chew?

Rob Guillory’s artwork provides the perfect accompaniment.  It is just as twisted, clever and original as the story.  Even the lettering stands out.  Overall Chew is just as entertaining to look at as it is to read.

If this even vaguely sounds like it is up your alley I suggest that your pick up a copy of Chew.  It’s funny dark and off the wall and features some crazy twists and turns but it remains firmly grounded by very human elements.  Chew provides great rewards for those who take that first bite.