EDITOR’S NOTE: The world of pop culture was recently saddened with the news of Anthony Bourdain’s suicide. He was a unique individual and will be missed. Bourdain had a journalist’s observational eye for details and his writings on food and culture, and his television series that covered the world of food/travel/politics and social life across the globe was fascinating. As a comics writer, his body of work is tiny by comparison but definitely worth seeking out. The GET JIRO graphic novel is a personal favorite among my family. Sorry to speculate that his recent mini-series for Dark Horse/Berger Books, HUNGRY GHOSTS, will get more attention and go up in value due to his death. So, is it something you should pay attention to? My review is below . . . . .
HUNGRY GHOSTS #1 of 4 (Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books, January 2018) Story by Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose. “Kaidan” art by Alberto Ponticelli. “The Starving Skeleton” art by Alberto Ponticelli. “The Pirates” art by Vanesa Del Rey. Colors by Jose Villarrubia. Letters by Sal Cipriano. Cover Art by Paul Pope.
Anthony Bourdain, inspired by legendary Japanese ghost stories, reunites with Joel Rose (co-author of GET JIRO) to put their own spin on these classic tales by focusing on themes of love, erotica and gluttony. Of course, you knew there would be food involved.
The splash page got my attention right away, done in the style of TALES FROM THE CRYPT and so many others too numerous to mention. HUNGRY GHOSTS starts off by introducing a spooky host for the various tales of terror to follow. But this is a host of a different stripe. Instead of the usual ghastly get-up, this host (Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu) is adorned in Japanese kabuki make-up and gown, long black hair and long red fingernails. A mirror shows a reflection that reveals the demon inside the beguiling host.
The first story, “Kaidan”, works as a prologue for the tales to follow and serves as a template for the remainder of this and the issues to come.
A wealthy Russian is the winning bidder at a charity auction for a dinner cooked and served by renowned chefs. Upon the conclusion of the meal, he introduces both guests and chefs to the ancient game of Kaidan involving the lighting of one hundred candles and a single mirror. Guests are required to tell an eerie story, then check their reflection in the mirror to see if they’ve been possessed. Candles are extinguished as each tale concludes, until there are none left and the room is plunged into darkness.
“The Starving Skeleton” is a cautionary tale regarding the ghosts of people who starved to death, the Gashadokuro or ‘hungry ghosts’. The single operator of a noodle shop is closing for the night when he receives a request from a homeless wanderer looking for scraps of food. Never underestimate the hunger of the needy.
As described by the next story-teller at the feast, “The Pirates” is a ‘lusty, brawling high seas adventure’. Back in ancient times, women suspected of promiscuity were thrown into the sea. A shipload of pirates with dreams of debauchery rescue a waterlogged lass. The woman goes along with their desires and services them all, but not without gaining something in return. The female dinner guest relating this story gazes at her reflection in the mirror before returning to the assemblage, where the Russian host remarks that these stories should involve food. I won’t spoil the final panel. A great start to this limited series.
HUNGRY GHOSTS #2 of 4 (Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books, February 2018) Story by Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose. “Salty Dog” art by Leonardo Manco. “The Heads” art by Mateus Santolouco. Colors by Jose Villarrubia. Letters by Sal Cipriano. Cover art by Paul Pope.
Just as frightening as the story of “Salty Dog” is the realistic art of Leonardo Manco. Without it, this tale would be a horse of a different stripe, indeed. No dogs here, just horses. And a rich man with an insatiable appetite for horsemeat who eventually suffers for the sin of gluttony. As they say, too much red meat is hazardous to your health.
“The Heads” details the troubles of a young apprentice chef suddenly out of work who is hired to join a kitchen of goblins in disguise. They are less interested in tasting his dishes than they are in tasting him.
HUNGRY GHOSTS #3 of 4 (Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books, March 2018) Story by Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose. “Deep” art by Sebastian Cabrol. “Boil In The Belly” art by Paul Pope. Colors by Jose Villarrubia. Letters by Sal Cipriano. Cover Art by Paul Pope.
The imagery in “Deep”, the first story, left a real impression that won’t leave for some time. This story departs from the others so far in that it is a personal one, related by one of the guest chefs at the feast. When he was a young apprentice in a French restaurant one chef in particular would harass him, always poking and prodding in ways that would send up a red flag to the human resources department in modern times. An Asian chef takes pity on the new cook and consoles him by explaining that the persecuting chef has a malady that in other lands would be considered a delicacy. Not an easy thing to remove, and not fun to watch.
However, the uneasiness caused by “Deep” was just a warm-up to the main course in “Boil In The Belly”. Unsettling is a modest description. Another young chef gets a painful boil on his stomach that later develops a mouth that must be fed. After many painful days a doctor is consulted. The diagnosis: internal invasion by a hungry ghost. The cure is worse than the curse.
HUNGRY GHOSTS #4 of 4 (Dark Horse Comics/Berger Books, April 2018) Story by Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose. “The Snow Woman” art by Irene Koh. :The Cow Head” art by Francesco Francavilla. Colors by Jose Villarrubia. Letters by Sal Cipriano. Cover Art by Paul Pope.
“The Snow Woman” takes place in old Japan, as many but not all of the stories in this series do, and concerns the use of discretion in certain matters, especially when they involve spirits. The young male protagonist of the story breaks a promise to a ghost, something one should never do.
“The Cow Head” relates another story of the hunger gods, the spirits of those who have starved to death. A poor Japanese village experiences drought and famine. It’s the wrong time to act like a glutton, as the village finds out to its regret. This story ties in nicely to the overall theme of the mini-series and wraps things up with a wicked twist. Cue the re-appearance of the ghost host.
RATING SYSTEM
STORY: I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories in this mini-antholgy, something that rarely happens. My favorites for story are “The Heads”, “Deep” and “The Cow Head.” 3 POINTS
ART: A great assemblage of skilled artists, who show their suitability for tales of horror in appropriately horrific fashion. My favorites for art are “Salty Dog”, “Deep” and “Boil In The Belly”. 3 POINTS
COVERS: Paul Pope on all of them. Great images that draw attention to the title and create curiosity. 2 POINTS
READ AGAIN? Many times, having fun all over again. 1 POINT
RECOMMEND? For everyone who enjoys short horror stories a la Tales From The Crypt and others, absolutely! Others use discretion. 1/2 POINT.
TOTAL RATING: 9.5 POINTS. Close enough to perfection.
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