The Tastiest Of Meats: Reviewing ‘Rare Flavours’ #3

Pop a few buttons and take a moment to sit with it as a third course of delicious comics arrives. Rare Flavours #3 is piping hot, full of powerful flavor, with a carefully devised message at the core.

Our intrepid chefs for the next entry in our culinary adventure are Ram V, Filipe Andrade, and Andworld Design.

For each issue, it takes some time to really figure out how to even speak about a series like this. Keeping to the food theme, it’s like trying to describe the best dish you’ve ever had to someone. They might understand and hear what you’re saying, but in a way, those words are kind of empty. Without experiencing the food, it’s just an image in their mind without real substance or weight.

That’s where Rare Flavours lands. Unlike many comics, it’s one that has to actually be read by an individual to fully feel the impact.

If you expect something with tons of action, like superheroes bouncing off each other or their foes, this isn’t a comic for you. This one, like other comics this team has worked on, is far more about conversations and exploration of human experience. There are supernatural/mythological elements at play, one of our leads is a human-eating demon, but overall, it’s about life. Specifically, if you haven’t guessed by now, centered around food.

Things have been on a steady, logical, build through these issues. Ram V has the ability to make every issue feel far longer and more packed than its page count would presume. Three issues feel like we’ve been with these characters, on this journey, far longer. That’s how well-fleshed out and tangible this world has become. Secrets are exposed here as the characters and those who have been pursuing the food loving demon Rubin Baksh collide.

All of it continues to play around the stories being told about individuals and food. The story about Naeem and his journey away from home as well as that with the lamb dish Raan is a relatable one for many. A true human moment, that easily fits into the overall story, beyond the fact that Rubin tries to eat Naeem at the end. Truly a poetic soul weaves through these stories, stirring up emotions and deeper thoughts than many would assume a comic would do.

Despite the complex nature of Rubin, there is a unique interesting perspective he brings to light. Then there is the thing about calling humans the “most beautiful, delicious, and flavorful things” he’s ever encountered. Like I said, complex.

Part of that tangible and poetic feeling swirls through the work that Andrade brings each issue. There is a simplicity to everything on the page that gives it an endearing quality. No matter if it’s the livelier vivid pages out in the streets, the food images, or even the more terrifying moments centered around Rubin’s true nature. Can’t get enough of the very watercolor-like palette in play, giving everything such a natural but also lush appearance.

Despite my statement about that simplicity, it’s paired with a deeper complexity.

A truly amazing display rich with details, depth, and weight. An exaggerated fantastical bent that gives the rich tapestry such a unique life. A focus that shifts with the moment, making sure there are perfect views of the emotions and tones clear on the pages. It feels like we’re very much part of the happenings rather than just passive observers.

Even with that hint of exaggeration, the respect and detail given to the food pages make the mouth water. I’ve never eaten any of these dishes or any Indian cuisine, but just looking at these images makes me want to change that very soon.

Another aspect of the pages, both those with characters and centered around food recipes, is the intricate lettering choices. Those food pages would be spectacular but not as hitting without the choices that Andworld makes in the font styles and flow. There is a formalness coupled with playfulness within the font styles, the bubbles, and how it all is placed. The inclusion of prose in the food pages gives a richer deeper feeling to everything. It all speaks to how much this creative team is pushing into the larger realms of the medium.

Rare Flavours #3 is now available from BOOM! Studios.