From the creative team behind The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, writer Ram V and artist Filipe Andrade team up once again for a dazzling and clever tale about a food-loving demon in Rare Flavours #1. Featuring letters by Andworld Design, this first issue offers a delightful premise lifted high by a thoughtful script and beautifully crafted visuals.
“Discover the tantalizing tale of Rubin Baksh, a demonic Rakshasa with a down-to-earth dream of becoming the next Anthony Bourdain. To achieve his vision, Rubin enlists Mo, a filmmaker who has seen better days, to document the world-renowned cuisine of India and the people behind such glorious food. But little does Mo know that there’s more to Rubin than meets the eye, and the mortals play a darker role in the show than they were prepared for…”
Writing & Plot
Ram V once again treats readers with an original take on aspects of Indian culture with his script for Rare Flavours #1. Here, we are introduced to an ancient demon known as a Rakshasa named Rubin. Rubin loves food and the variety of flavors in our modern world. This, coupled with his growing boredom with eternity, motivates him to want to make a documentary about food. The fact that some of his favorite flavors happen to be the people who make the food is just a minor detail. Ram V’s introduction and writing approach to Rubin makes the old demon instantly likeable – even if we obviously can’t trust him. Ram’s dialogue flows wonderfully and is full of human charm, despite the hidden monstrousness of the protagonist. The real mark of beauty in this issue is the recipe sequence. There’s a large component of the comic that is about the origin of someone’s specific recipe for Masala Chai. Ram’s narrative writing for this, and for the rest of the book’s overhead narration, is a near-poetic dream to read through. Ram has always had a voice for intimate detail in his scripts, and Rare Flavours that that voice to new heights.
Art Direction
Felipe Andrade’s signature art style is the perfect vessel through which to experience Rare Flavours #1. His rough, thin penciling is the perfect approach that will not appeal to the widest audience. It’s that sort of indie/Vertigo aesthetic that works for this kind of book specifically – but would never work in a mainstream superhero comic (or vice versa, for that matter). Andrade’s character designs are all completely unique with each person (or demon) having a distinct individual appearance. A signature element of Andrade’s work that was also apparent in Laila Starr is how much life is in every panel. He always paints the crowds of Inda’s bustling urban streets with a sort of energetic wonder, creating noise with his bright hues. However, his sequences on the quiet countryside or in a single empty room are just as full. The detail of his backgrounds – from vineyards and rolling hills to cluttered bookshelves and countertops – contribute to the tone and aesthetic of the comic by making the whole experience feel alive. The lettering from Andworld Design is just as much a part of the artistic experience as Andrade’s pencils & colors. The textured, hand-drawn dialogue and narrative text makes the reading experience feel distinctly intimate. The SFX letters both pop and blend into the artistic experience as a whole, highlighting the sounds of interactions without overtaking the page. Overall, this is an incredible visual feast that breathes a unique life into this story.
Verdict
Rare Flavours #1 is a magnificent start to this new series from an acclaimed creative team. Ram V’s script is clever, deceptive, and poetically beautiful. The visuals from Filipe Andrade are a brilliant examination of life with a beautiful eye for detail and sequential direction. This is a phenomenal debut issue, so be sure to grab it on September 20th!
