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“The Chog has lept from the pages of John Layman and Rob Guillory’s popular “CHEW,” published by Image. This officially licensed replica measures approx. 4-inches tall.

The box for this pink and yellow limited edition vinyl replica is hand-numbered, one of 1,000.

The Chog is a collectible, not intended for children. For ages 14 and up.”

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Agent Burgos, CHEW FANS: THE CHOGS ARE HERE!

The biggest strength for Chew #32 is how Layman writes Tony.  He has been through a lot the past few arcs, and he is slowly coming apart at the seams.  But not all the way, as he’s using all the bad things to try and better his life.  The scene where Tony calls Olive is really sweet, and makes you root and feel bad for him at the same time.  It’s that rich, nuanced story telling that makes Chew a must read month after month.  Layman also makes with the funny in #32, creating some insane scenarios for the FDA to fight against. If there is going to be a second Chicken Poyo one-shot, I’d like to see him go up against the giant gingerbread cookie.  The fight between Colby and Caesar shows how well Layman and Guillory work together as a creative team.  Layman knows Guillory’s strengths as a penciler like the back of his hand.

Chew #32 is the catalyst for a lot of long simmering plot threads.  It is a busy issue, but Layman paces it brilliantly.  Many past plot points are referenced and built upon here, which should please long time fans.  There is at least one major reference to each arc, even in the classic recap page near the beginning.  Considering that Chew is only going to be sixty issues, it is no surprise that big plot points start moving along.  We are at the half way point (roughly).  The only flaw in #32, and it isn’t a true flaw, is the amount of callbacks. It is something that could deter newer readers, but it could also spark them to go back and read the trades.  It is a gamble.  I’m the the latter of those two people, and deep references encourage me to start digging through past issues, so I understand every reference.

Rob Guillory’s penchant for humor is on full display in #32.  Every scene is filled with sight gags, so much so that I didn’t see them all after the second reading.  Characters are expressive, and full of life.  Each insane scenario that Layman things up, Guillory pencils like a champ.  He easily jumps back and forth between emotional, poignant scenes, and straight up slap-stick.  The opening splash page had me in tears, much like the character.  I’m usually not one for different style word bubbles, but Layman uses them well.  Chew is an over the top world, why not use over the top speech bubbles

Chew #32 is classic Chew.  Filled to the brim with call backs, while balancing humor and emotion brilliantly. Fantastic issue.

Chew #32 gets 4.5\5.

MrComicBook, Review: Chew #32

Preview pages:

Batman Detective Comics #16
Story by: John Layman
Artwork by: Jason Fabok

Batman is forced to cut a deal with the Penguin, one that will come back to haunt both of them when a new villain interferes!

And in the backup story, Ignatius Ogivly usurps The Penguin’s throne and decides to lead the underworld crimelords in The Penguin’s place!

Batman Detective Comics #16 hits shelves on January 9th!

Chuckie Valdez, Preview: “Death of The Family” Continues in Batman Detective Comics #16

CHEW #30, which closes out the “Space Cakes” story arc, sold out at the distributor level on the same day of its release, November 28. Fans of the series, by John Layman and Rob Guillory, should rush to their local comic book stores to pick up issue #30, which will be reprinted only in CHEW VOLUME SIX: SPACE CAKES, the trade paperback out on December 19, and volume three of the CHEW: THE OMNIVORE EDITION, out in March.

CHEW #30 is a milestone issue, the halfway point in a planned 60-issue run of the popular dramedy about a family with a very special relationship with food. (It is in development as a television series with Showtime.) Comic Book Resources, noting the series’ layered storytelling, says of the issue in a four-star review: “You’ll read it once for the roller coaster ride, and then immediately read it a second time in a different light, knowing the impact the issue’s outcome places on the earlier events.”

The second half of the series begins with CHEW #31 — and a funeral. It will be in stores on January 23. Readers should get their pre-orders in now to be sure they get a copy of what is sure to be another fast-selling issue.

CHEW is also available digitally on comiXology, Graphic.ly, and ComicsPlus.

CONGRATS TO JOHN LAYMAN AND ROB GUILLORY!

P.S. John… you are a jerk!!!

Agent Burgos, CHEW #30 GETS DEVOURED

Chew

Poyo has always been a fan favorite of the series, but he always deserved more space.  He’s Chuck Norris in chicken form.  John Layman treats this issue much like a long Chuck Norris joke, but it never gets old (like those jokes did).  The plot is beyond over the top, and Layman never loses sight of it.  It’s one over the top joke after the other.  But Poyo never leaves the universe of Chew.  Layman even includes one of the explanation pages that have become synonymous with the series.  Every scene and insane thing happens feels like it could have taken place while the main book is happening.  It’s a very fine line that Layman walks, but he walks it perfectly.  It’s also a great chance to jump onto the series if you haven’t been reading for a while.  It’s fairly self contained, besides the quick history about how Poyo became to be the badass robot chicken that he is.

Chew has always been a funny book, but Poyo easily takes the cake as the funniest issue of the series.  There is ample humor abound, both subtle and outlandish.  The multiple references to other Image books made me laugh out loud. Many of the scenes are quick, which make them feel like bits on SNL.  They are quick, hit hard, then we are onto another scene that is just going to hit The best way to describe the humor in this issue: laugh out loud.  I cried multiple times laughing, both from Layman’s script and Rob Guillory’s amazing art.  His small nods and jokes have been one of my favorite parts of the series, but he out does himself in Poyo.  Between the plethora of movie posters and labels for things will make this issue one that will be great to reread.

Rob Guillory’s art suits the over the top bad assery.  He jumps from demons, to sheep falling from the sky, and embracing every British stereotype.  It’s one great looking page after another.  As said before, Guillory throws in quite a few scenery jokes.  It took me a couple of reads to find them all in the end.  Even after that it’s worth another reading to get the full effect of all the jokes.  Much like the script, the art is outlandish, but it feels like it COULD happen in the Chew universe.  We see sheep killing men by falling from the sky, and it wouldn’t surprise any reader to see Tony Chu to walk into the panel and try to solve the crime.

The best moment of the issue though, is late in the issue.  I won’t give it away, but you’ll know it when you see it.

Chew: Secret Agent Poyo #1 is a great addition to the Chew universe.  Poyo could easily support his own mini-series.  #1 is pure fun.

Chew: Secret Agent Poyo #1 gets 4.5/5

MrComicBook, Chew: Secret Agent Poyo #1 Review

Layman gives Toni Chew, Tony’s twin sister, the spotlight this month, and we find out a lot about her.  Her very upbeat demeanor is explained, and it works like a charm.  The best part, Layman gives her the majority of the funny lines, which makes her sometimes dry humor that much more funny.  ”I’m here to lick your painting,” had my rolling in stitches from laughing so hard.  ”Space Cakes” seem to be the back to basics story telling that Chew had in the beginning.  A Toni is investigating something while the character work flows naturally around the police work.  It’s what made most readers fall in love with Chew in the first place.  The cast in Chew is getting larger by the arc, with most of the characters being deep enough to warrant a side mini-series so they could be fleshed out more.  So when it seems that Tony might be gone for this arc, that does make me a little happy.  Although I do miss him, it’s hard to not love the direction that Layman is going with right now.

One thing that has irked me in the series is the shear number of food powers that are popping up.  A couple were fine, but they are starting to become un-special.  Almost every major player in this book has a special food based power.  While not a big gripe, considering it doesn’t break the story, it’s something to consider.  Layman has said the book is going to last 60 issues, so with over half the run left, more powers might emerge.

#26 has the distinction of fitting in with last year’s famous #27.  Yeah, you read that last sentence correctly.  Having reread #27, #26 answers all the questions, and with none of them feeling forced.  While Layman clearly had a plan for all of this, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had to rush to make everything fit the story he already released.  But the first part of “Space Cakes” flows perfectly into the second part.

Much like the story, Rob Guillory’s pencils suffered during “Major League Chew.”  His exaggerated, cartoonish style seemed to be slightly suppressed.  But “Space Cakes” brings back the hysterical style.  As with many issues, the backgrounds are filled with plenty of jokes.  The exaggerated facial expressions perfectly hit the punch lines in Layman’s script.  The “lick your painting” quote worked that much more because Guillory gave Toni a perfect serious face.  Couldn’t help but laugh.  The recurring middle finger gag had me laughing rather hard.  After rereading #27, there are a few recurring gags that come back.  It makes #27, already a funny issue, that much funnier.  There have been a few running sight gags throughout the series, and Guillory continues to make the funny, despite the reader seeing them so many times.

Chew #26 is a strong start to a new arc. Long time fans will love the direction the creative team are brining our favorite food based book.

Chew #26 gets 4.5/5.

MrComicBook, Chew #26 Review