A gripping dystopian thriller, “Starve” #1 packs a major cringe-inducing wallop towards the end. I swear you will not look at food the same way after this first installment. In this bleak future, “Starve” asks if you would rather be eaten, or would you like to be the one doing the eating?
WRITTEN BY: Brian Wood
ART BY: Danijel Zezelj
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: June 10, 2015
In the post-apocalypse, the number one program that viewers are watching is the foodie television show called, Starve. The creator of the show, Gavin Cruikshank, has been living in self-imposed exile for years now. He has abandoned all those who once loved him. When Gaven returns to the spotlight, there are those who want to see him dead. Now that he’s back, what better way to kill him than in front of the cameras.
Writer Brian Wood has crafted a riveting character-driven narrative. Wood does a great job world-building and setting up back-story for his protagonist. Gavin is on a self-destructive path just like the rest of the world. Even though the themes are dark, Wood adds a bit of his witty humor to lighten the tension.The fast-paced story builds to a stomach-churning cliff-hanger, which you definitely have to read to believe.
Every panel that artist Danijel Zezelj has drawn is just amazing to look at. In one of my favorite illustrations, notice the background Zezelj has illustrated when Gavin sits in a hotel suite. Playing around with shadows, the black shapes swirl around like serpents. The black lines continue in the next panel as Gavin’s hairline curls on his forehead. Dave Stewart’s colors add to the gritty atmosphere and heighten the cringe-fest at the climax.
“Starve” #1 is great read from start to finish. With Brian Wood, Danijel Zezelj, and Dave Stewart as the creative team, the “Starve” series can’t be beat.
Reviewed by Jorge Solis
