Disclaimer: I received an eARC for free from NetGalley.
Rating: 4/5
This graphic novel centers around Gavin Cruikshank, a washed up celebrity chef who rose to fame hosting a cooking competition called Starve. It opens on him hiding out in Asia drinking, eating and using drugs. The studio finds him and brings him back to the U.S. to finish taping the eight episodes left in his contract.
This one peaked my interest because I enjoy watching cooking shows. The first thing that jumped out at me is the gritty artwork. This carries throughout the book and is really appropriate for the subject matter. As the story unfolds, there is an emphasis on how the super elite and the poor eat. Starve evolved to cater to the tastes of the super elite. The ingredients chosen for each of the episodes support that as well: dog to start, bluefin tuna (possibly extinct), a hog, etc.
The relationships in Gavin's life intertwine with Starve. He is divorced from his wife (referred to as Greer), estranged from his daughter Angie, and coming head to head with his biggest rival, Roman Algiers. I like the way the relationship between Gavin and Angie worked throughout the story. They haven't seen each other in four years, but there is still a bit of hero worship present.
I would recommend this for anyone who likes dark stories.
