Anthony Bourdain's Hungry Ghosts

September 3, 2018
Structured as an old-fashioned Tales from the Crypt–style horror anthology, complete with a frame story and ghoulish host, the twist to Bourdain’s slim, last known comics work is that these offerings are all food-themed—and all variations on yarns from Kwaidan, Lafcadio Hearn’s collection of traditional Japanese ghost lore. The spooks include a hungry ghost from Buddhist belief, a ravenous sea monster, an insatiable mouth that appears on a man’s body, and a yuki-onna (snow woman). Each piece is drawn by a different artist, including such comics luminaries as Vanesa Del Rey, Francesco Francavilla, and Paul Pope. Never seeming sure of how seriously it wants to take itself, the compendium intersperses solemn retellings of folklore and snarling horror art with occasional tongue-in-cheek (and delightful) lines like “I will strip you, devour you like an artichoke in season!” But as each selection clocks in at around 12 pages, there’s not much space to develop deeper narrative, and, though the art is generally solid, some of the artists struggle to create an eerie atmosphere. The best part is the recipe section in the back, in which Bourdain offers dishes themed to each tale. Alas, while there’s rich potential in food horror, the brew here tastes like a clever idea that could have been better executed.

November 1, 2018

While better known as a memoirist (Kitchen Confidential) and TV host (Parts Unknown), Bourdain also scripted several graphic novels before his tragic death earlier this year. Here, with coauthor Rose (both, Get Jiro!) and a cadre of talented illustrators, he presents nine short tales of demonic possession and vengeful ghosts culled from folktales around the world. A restaurant worker rushing home is punished after refusing a beggar's plea for charity, a crew of pirates planning to violate a beautiful castaway meet grisly ends, an insatiable craving for horseflesh leads to a rich man's downfall. Bourdain fans hoping for a final taste of his passion for exotic locales and an inside view of the culinary world will find much to embrace, but what stands out most are the creators' disgust with anyone who might abuse a position of power or privilege to feed their own appetites. VERDICT Sometimes spooky, sometimes gritty, thoroughly satisfying.{amp}mdash;TB

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