Something to CHEW on; the start of something beautiful!
Tony Chu is a cop with a strange ability. Most cops come with a pretty normal background; something to prove, something to lose, and are just in it to shoot someone. However, Tony Chu is not most cops, he's got a power that allows him to get psychic impressions of anything, or anyone's, past. That ability will come in handy more times than once, in this first issue of something beautiful! Lets dive in!
For those that need a reason to be following, writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory's, current adventures in CHEW, look no further! At the time of this review, there has only been 42 issues [out of 60] that have been released; and yes, it can be really consuming, and confusing, to know where to exactly start, and I'm writing this review for you to know that you should start right here! At the beginning! This is where you get introduced into this complex, and disturbing, world and see Tony Chu at a more relaxed time in his life. While this first issue has got nothing on what is happening currently, Layman and Guillory's first issue still stands the test of time and is really the best foundation for this entire series! (Even though, both of their skills as writer and artist have greatly improved since then!)
In this first issue, Tony Chu and John Colby stumble upon a case that turns them from simple Philadelphia cops to F.D.A. agents! This was an amazing first issue! John Layman did a good job at establishing a really basic tone for this series, which was dark and gritty. It's great to see the beginnings of many of the friendships that will come up later in the series, like Colby and Savoy, and also of some of the plot elements that still don't have answers today! (i.e. the Bird Flu pandemic.) I really like how the tone has gone from really dark and gritty to, dark and comedic. The original tone was necessary to hook, the now long time readers and fans, and prepare them for this 60 issue long adventure. I really like being able to tell the difference from today's issue to this first issue, and I greatly respect what Layman did with the first couple of issues of this series!
Also, Rob Guillory's artwork! His style in beginning was okay, but his current style is even better! Glad to see that kind of a change!
Overall you should be reading this series! Every. Single. Issue. 5 out of 5!
