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cielbear's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting concept of the world being dictated by chefs. The illustrations were great, but the plot and characters were lacking in substance. In the end, how do you not get rid of the two main people who caused the food war divide in the first place? Let them skip town and have hints at a romance? Really? Not great, not terrible. I'm going to read the next volume just to finish the series.
sindri_inn_arsaeli's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
The best I can say for it was it was fast. I read the whole thing in two 20 minute chunks, and I'm still not sure why I came back to finish it. It was basically a kitchy themed blood fest. There's surely an audience out there for it, because the art was pretty well done, but turns out it's definitely not me.
The art was good for the style, well matched to the story, and in a different book I probably could have enjoyed it a lot more. But there was very little in the way of actual story building or character development. There was also significantly less of any type of food description than I expected from something with Anthony Bourdain's name on the cover. The majority of the book was build up to large spreads of gory violence. As far as content warnings, there was really only minimal sexual content even, this was just about blood. Apparently there's at least one sequel - I will not be picking it up.
The art was good for the style, well matched to the story, and in a different book I probably could have enjoyed it a lot more. But there was very little in the way of actual story building or character development. There was also significantly less of any type of food description than I expected from something with Anthony Bourdain's name on the cover. The majority of the book was build up to large spreads of gory violence. As far as content warnings, there was really only minimal sexual content even, this was just about blood. Apparently there's at least one sequel - I will not be picking it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Classism, and Cultural appropriation
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
This is a weird one. Co-written by author and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, it proposes a future where the world is broken down into "foodie" camps, and those different groups struggle to get new chefs to join them in their quest to take over the world.
Part dystopian thriller, part Sergio Leone western, and part "foodie" spoof, you almost just have to read it to "get it." The art, by Langoon Foss, is a bit Geoff Darrow mixed with Frank Quietly, but it supports the story well and does a good job with the storytelling.
Worth a look if you want something off the beaten path.
Part dystopian thriller, part Sergio Leone western, and part "foodie" spoof, you almost just have to read it to "get it." The art, by Langoon Foss, is a bit Geoff Darrow mixed with Frank Quietly, but it supports the story well and does a good job with the storytelling.
Worth a look if you want something off the beaten path.
stopnodont's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay. Only bought it because it's Anthony Bourdain, and you can certainly hear his voice on the page.
It's not bad but it's not stellar either.
It's not bad but it's not stellar either.
ericthec's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for the artwork. 3.5 for the story. I had read Anthony Bourdain’s non-fiction but not his fiction or graphic novels.
thisisstephenbetts's review against another edition
2.0
An entertaining romp. A future world where foodieism is the dominant cultural force, and restaurateurs rule LA society like crime bosses. One man stands against them, a solitary practitioner of the art of sushi. The plot is flimsy at best, seemingly set up purely to allow Bourdain to take a few potshots at current foodie trends (the two baddies are a haute cuisine purist and a compromised locavore dogmatic). The art is beautiful, though the actual comics don't always work, and Jose Villarubia's colouring lends the whole enterprise a respectability it doesn't quite deserve.
Lurking inside this is a good story and comic, but it would have taken a lot more care and time to draw it out. Fine as a distracting little romp, but not one for the shelves.
Lurking inside this is a good story and comic, but it would have taken a lot more care and time to draw it out. Fine as a distracting little romp, but not one for the shelves.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
This graphic novel didn't come to my attention until the unfortunate passing of Anthony Bourdain. It's published by Vertigo and it's decidedly different from any other comics on the market. In this near futuristic society freedom of expression is limited to food, that is where advances are and that's all people seem to care about. Rival foodie gangs struggle for power and in this hell-scape Jiro sets up a small unassuming sushi shop where his insane talents are quickly noticed by the top two crime lords who will stop at nothing to get him and his talents. It was alright, definitely inventive but overall not really my cup of tea.
librarimans's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read, I can only imagine how often Anthony Bourdain wishes he could channel his inner Jiro.
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
Anyone who's ever read Anthony Bourdain's books or seen one of his t.v. shows will immediately recognise his signature snark and old-school irritation with much of pop culture. Add to that a bold, colorful, clear artistic vision on the part of XXXXX and you have a hell of a fun, weird, graphic novel.
Set in the near future where all entertainment has given way to foodie culture and the police are deep in the pockets of those with the best culinary skills, our hero, Jiro, is a humble sushi master being courted by the two biggest restaurateur gangs left in town.
The story is fast, bloody, and full of self-importance. It's great. Recommended for those who like a bit of blood with their pudding and a lot of blood with their stories.
Set in the near future where all entertainment has given way to foodie culture and the police are deep in the pockets of those with the best culinary skills, our hero, Jiro, is a humble sushi master being courted by the two biggest restaurateur gangs left in town.
The story is fast, bloody, and full of self-importance. It's great. Recommended for those who like a bit of blood with their pudding and a lot of blood with their stories.
mehitabels's review against another edition
4.0
A pleasant surprise. Mostly I love the art, but the story turned out to be quite interesting, decidedly violent, and humorous. I never would have believed it, if I hadn't read it myself.
Cheers to [a:Anthony Bourdain|1124|Anthony Bourdain|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1274724018p2/1124.jpg].
Cheers to [a:Anthony Bourdain|1124|Anthony Bourdain|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1274724018p2/1124.jpg].