Chew: Taster's Choice (Comics) | Review

Most police procedurals ask you to suspend disbelief about forensic timelines or impossible deductions. But what if your detective could literally taste the last memories of murder victims by taking just a single bite of their flesh?

That's the stomach-churning premise that kicks off John Layman and Rob Guillory's breakout series and trust me when I say this comic will definitely stick with you long after you've completely finished reading it entirely.

Here's the thing about Taster's Choice– it works because it commits completely to its bizarre concept without winking at the audience. This isn't a parody or a gross-out comedy trying to shock you with excessive body horror elements.

It's a legitimate police procedural featuring a protagonist who solves cases by eating evidence, corpses and anything else that might hold some psychic impressions. The world-building feels lived-in and authentic, even when it's asking you to accept that chicken has been banned nationwide after a catastrophic bird flu outbreak.

Meet Tony Chu, a Philadelphia police detective cursed with cibopathy– the ability to receive psychic impressions from anything he consumes. When Tony bites into an apple, he experiences everything that happened to it from tree to table.

When he tastes a murder victim's flesh, he witnesses their final moments and identifies their killer. It's an incredibly useful investigative tool wrapped in the most disturbing delivery method imaginable for any detective working cases.

The opening storyline establishes this grim reality through a case involving illegal chicken smuggling in a world where poultry has been outlawed due to pandemic fears. Tony's unique abilities eventually catch the attention of FDA Agent Mason Savoy, another cibopath who recruits him into the agency's Special Crimes Division.

What starts as a simple bust at an underground chicken restaurant evolves into something much larger as Tony discovers he's not the only person with food-based superpowers in this strange new world of enhanced individuals.

Layman does excellent work building the rules of his altered America. The bird flu outbreak killed millions, leading to federal prohibition that created black markets and underground establishments. The FDA has become a powerful law enforcement agency and food-related crimes now carry serious penalties nationwide.

This backdrop gives weight to what could have been a silly premise, grounding the supernatural elements in recognizable bureaucracy and social anxiety about food safety issues that resonate with contemporary readers in modern society today.

The genius move here is how Tony's cibopathy becomes both blessing and curse. He's an exceptional detective who can solve cases others can't touch but he's also forced to consume absolutely horrific things in service of justice and law enforcement.

Every meal becomes a potential psychic assault and normal dining experiences are nearly impossible. Layman explores the psychological toll of this ability without wallowing in self-pity, creating a character who's professionally successful but personally isolated.

What makes Tony compelling is his reluctant acceptance of his fate. He doesn't enjoy what he has to do but he recognizes the good his abilities can accomplish. The introduction of Savoy adds another layer by showing how someone else might embrace these same powers with disturbing enthusiasm and genuine excitement.

Their partnership dynamic drives much of the story's tension as Tony grapples with whether his new mentor represents salvation or corruption and which path he should ultimately choose for his own personal future development and career growth.

The supporting cast rounds out nicely with Tony's twin sister Toni, who possesses saboscribing abilities that let her write about foods she's never tasted and his eventual partner John Colby, a straight-laced detective trying to adapt to the FDA's strange world.

These relationships anchor Tony's character development and provide normal human perspectives on the increasingly bizarre situations he encounters throughout his investigations, keeping readers grounded in relatable emotional stakes despite the supernatural weirdness.

The world-building unfolds organically through investigation rather than info-dumps, trusting readers to piece together the larger picture as Tony discovers it himself. The pacing moves briskly without feeling rushed, giving each revelation proper time.

Layman understands that his premise could easily become repetitive, so he varies the types of cases and introduces new food-based abilities to keep things fresh. Most importantly, he never loses sight of the human cost of Tony's powers, ensuring the grotesque elements serve character development rather than cheap thrills.

Rob Guillory's artwork flawlessly captures the series' tonal balance between horror and humor. His character designs are expressive and cartoonish enough to make the gruesome elements digestible without undercutting their impact.

The food imagery throughout the series looks genuinely appetizing even when you know it shouldn't, creating an unsettling cognitive dissonance that enhances the reading experience. Guillory's panel layouts showcase real creativity, particularly during Tony's psychic episodes where past and present blend together.

The visual storytelling during these sequences helps readers understand the overwhelming nature of cibopathic experiences without relying on excessive exposition. His backgrounds are detailed and lived-in, making the alternate America feel authentic and fully realized.

Layman's writing strikes the perfect balance between procedural storytelling and character development. His dialogue feels natural and economical, revealing character through conversation rather than internal monologue.

Chew: Taster's Choice succeeds because it takes its ridiculous premise seriously and explores the implications thoughtfully. This isn't just a comic about a guy who eats dead people - it's a story about the price of justice, the burden of unwanted gifts and the ways people adapt to impossible circumstances in their daily lives.

Layman and Guillory created something genuinely original in a medium saturated with familiar concepts. The opening arc establishes the series' voice, introduces key players and sets up ongoing mysteries without feeling overstuffed at all.

For readers who appreciate dark humor, creative world-building and unconventional protagonists, Taster's Choice delivers everything you could want from a debut storyline. It launched what would become one of Image Comics' most acclaimed series, winning multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards while building a loyal fanbase.

The art and writing work in perfect harmony to create an experience that's equal parts repulsive and compelling. This opening volume proves that even the weirdest concepts can work when handled by creators who understand character and story.

Chew: Taster's Choice collects the first five issues of the Eisner Award– winning Image Comics series. The trade paperback is widely available at retailers like Amazon, while digital editions can be purchased through ComiXology, Kindle and other eBook platforms.