REVIEW: ‘Starve #10′ is the Egg of Contention
To sum it all up..
Brian Wood and Danijel Zezelj‘s socioeconomic and cultural visual graphic mini-series STARVE comes to a rather straightforward, if not rushed, ending in its tenth finale issue. Long story short, Angela, the main protagonist’s wonder kid, takes the cake and screws up the ancient regime! This ending is Wood’s most direct STARVE issue, the completion of […]
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Posted
July 1, 2016 by Paul Ramos
FULL REVIEW
Brian Wood and Danijel Zezelj‘s socioeconomic and cultural visual graphic mini-series STARVE comes to a rather straightforward, if not rushed, ending in its tenth finale issue. Long story short, Angela, the main protagonist’s wonder kid, takes the cake and screws up the ancient regime!
This ending is Wood’s most direct STARVE issue, the completion of the Rubicon crossing. It presents vignettes of the past, present and the future of a possible not-so-bright future. In that regards, it tastes bittersweet, “bitter” for the patriarch and the existing status quo, but nonetheless “sweet” for both his loved ones and the future of world culinary. Moreover, the creative team gives readers and fans a delectable recipe though it lacks on how to cook it.
However, its writing is felt a bit rushed, or because this same copy is thinner than previous chapters. Even when read slowly, Wood’s script is very direct, virtually neither allusions nor metaphors slightly presented. That’s why it is best to read the previous issues to make sense of the protagonist’s gamble for his beloved unija hija.
Furthermore, some of the secondary characters are left-out, particularly Sheldon. He’s present until the penultimate chapter but he’s nowhere to be found, both in text and illustration. Some are mentioned once, but the rest is silent. Perhaps Wood focuses on the family itself, especially the dysfunctional patriarch. Zezelj’s art is commendable, but this chapter lacks the usual graphic illustrations sans the cover art. Finally, there are neither afterwords nor last words from either of the creative STARVE force for long-time fans and invested readers to relish with. And, I believe some Filipino/as readers may squirm on the last dish prepared inside for it associates as a lovable and cute pet, not seen as a dish.
Anyway, Starve #10 ends the visual recipe of the end-results of food in the broader socioeconomic and cultural realms. It provides some of Wood’s possible solutions for the disease from within the system, though these can be viewed simplistic for some. It however shows the victors of a good fight, an optimistic way of looking the future in the midst a towering or insurmountable challenge. So, where can I eat rabbit stew?
