Starve Volume 1 Review

 





"You can bullsh*t cook on TV, you can make your handler a steak, and you can crank out service for a roomful of strangers...But at some point in the past you forgot how to cook for love."

 



Review:

(Thank you Netgalley for  copy!)

A different tale for the American comic media, but Starve is an enticing read nonetheless. Focusing on Gavin Cruikshank, an aging master chef who's gone in to hiding from his life only to be dragged back to his former show the titular Starve due to contracts and need of money. Cruikshank's initial refusal to deal with his own show anymore goes with what it has become from a noble cooking show to something of more savage competition for the wealthy to dine on their achievements. One of the first things Gavin has to cook with is the "common meat" the poor are often made to eat which in this case is dog. Also on the menu are gravely endangered animals supplied by black markets, some of which for all society knows are extinct now. The book is actually pretty well grounded reality with some exceptions such as the mentioned state of the classes and animal life as well as parts of New Jersey being underwater.

 Soon other parts of his past surface to face him mainly his bitter wife Greer who despises him for using her as a cover until he came out of the closet as well as not being there for their daughter Angie who incidentally becomes his biggest supporter in his comeback. Cruikshank's road to redemption is made mostly for the sake of his daughter, as he meets the show challenges rigged by both his ex-wife and old rival to see him break. As Cruikshank succeeds he himself reminds the few still siding with him and the readers that he doesn't blame Greer's actions for what he did to her as well as noting he's managed to drive everyone close to him away.

All in all, Starve is a story of a man who makes no secret of his many screw-ups and is him dealing it now years down the line. The narrative doesn't sugar coat or excuse his actions yet there is probably more detailed explanations that can be fleshed out in later issues especially in regards to his wife Greer who is driven to see him fail. Starve's story is gritty and at times touching and with art that matches the dark and moody atmosphere though at times limited facial expressions.

Recommendation:

As it obviously shows Starve is aimed at an adult crowd with language and some content. The blood and bodies of dead animals, especially when a dog is prepared to be food, might not be for everyone. Regardless a moving tale of a man trying to not just be a chef but a father again with some social commentary on the side.