Celebrated chef Anthony Bourdain has one more gift to give the world: his final graphic novel.
Penned by Bourdain and his longtime collaborator Joel Rose, Dark Horse Comics' Hungry Ghosts is a collection of Japanese horror stories that combines traditional Edo period art and style with the late chef's passion for the culinary arts. According to the description, characters who would normally be samurai have been fashioned into chefs, with food acting as the through-line for each of the vignettes:
On a dark, eerie night a Russian oligarch dares a circle of international chefs to play the Samurai game of 100 Candles—where each storyteller blows out a candle after telling a terrifying tale of ghosts, demons and unspeakable beings, praying to survive the challenge.
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The collection will include artwork from Sebastian Cabrol, Vanesa Del Rey, Francesco Francavilla, Irene Koh, Leonardo Manco, Alberto Ponticelli, Paul Pope and Mateus Santolouco. Jose Villarrubia provided colors.
Karen Berger, editor of the Dark Horse Comics' Berger Books imprint, is also involved in the project. A founding editor of Vertigo Comics, Berger was the publisher behind Bourdain and Rose's first graphic novel Get Jiro!, released in 2012.
Calling the work she has done with Bourdain "a privilege," Berger said, "Tony grew up a huge fan of R. Crumb and the horror stories of EC Comics and for a time, he wanted to be a comic book artist. But Tony loved co-writing comics with Joel and collaborating with the artists. It's heartbreaking that we lost Tony, but I'll always treasure my memories of his irreverent spirit, generosity, and his passion for comics and art."
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Included in the hardcover volume will be five new and original recipes from Bourdain, as well as a featurette written by Rose and illustrated by Leonardo Manco explaining the histories of each of the titular ghosts. Rose has also added a heartfelt farewell note to his friend as a dedication.
Hungry Ghosts go on sale October 2.
