Rare Flavours

by | Dec 11, 2024

Food and filmmaking mixed with philosophical musings on life and art drive the narrative flow in Rare Flavours, a delectable foray into the cuisine of India ensconced in all its sumptuous splendor and glory. Written by Ram V and illustrated by Filipe Andrade, the creative team behind The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, this graphic novel delves into the fine aesthetics of food while espousing upon larger than life observations, somewhat reminiscent of the leisurely style of Louis Malle’s My Dinner with Andre.

The story begins with Rubin Baksh, who upon discovering that Chef Anthony Bordain has died, embarks on an excursion of culinary proportions to share his love of food with the world. Along the way, he recruits a young college student named Mohan to accompany him in hopes of capturing the sights and tastes of his passion in a documentary. Little does Mohan realize that Rubin is actually a forest dwelling demon in disguise named Baksura, and that a pair of hunters are on the trail of this man-eating demon from the annals of Hindu mythology.

While the plot detracts from a standard structure of conflict, climax, and resolution, intricate details of Indian cuisine rise to the forefront. From the delicate aroma of masala chai and spicy richness of mirchi to the chunky succulence of raan and savory comfort of triple Schezwan rice, each chapter introduces a unique Indian fare, integrating recipes into the panels and illuminating side notes and stories with folkloric insight. Meandering from one locale to another, the fluid scenes meld red and orange simmering color tones, producing a mixture of sceneries cast in wide-angle shots spanning double-page spreads depicting vast desert landscapes and food and spice markets. This culinary travelogue resonates with a singular purpose in mind as summed up by Rubin: “To have shared my view of the world with one more person and to see them changed by it. To see them evolve.”

Although loosely constructed in terms of plotting, Rare Flavours excels in its unique exploration of the ingredients and dishes so commonly cherished in Indian cuisine, rendered through the narrative voice of an ancient demon who speaks with lyrical gentility. As such, this gastronomical meditation, enhanced by cinematic and mercurial shots replete with the sights and flavors of India from food carts to restaurants, will enrich adult graphic novel collections and serve up a savory, visual feast for the soul.

Rare Flavours 
By Ram V
Art by Filipe Andrade
BOOM! Studios, 2024
ISBN: 9781608861538

NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+)
Creator Representation:  South Asian,
Character Representation: South Asian, Hindu ,

Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories

by | Nov 11, 2019

Cautionary Fables and Fairy Tales is the umbrella title for a series of three compilations themed after a specific region of which this one is the third. The first two cover Europe and Africa while the fourth one, on Oceania tales, is in publication. All have been funded through Kickstarter efforts.

I had high hopes for this collection of Asian folktales, but was dismayed to discover that few of them have source notes or any markers for context. The geographic location is mentioned, but no background is provided for readers who may not be familiar with yokai, kitsune, demons, and other supernatural beings from Japan, China, India, Georgia, Laos, Myanmar, Turkey, Iraq and Tibet. I was very pleased, however, with the reworking of “The Ballad of Mulan” which followed the ancient tales rather than the Disney film. Aside from this tale and a few others such as the title story and “Urashima Taro,” most of the stories may not be familiar with young audiences. This is not a criticism, but it is also where source notes could have made this an outstanding addition to the ongoing reworkings of folklore in the comic book format.

The length of the stories varies as does the black and white art work in this anthology. Several of the tales have been modernized to including texting and other nods to contemporary life, but the vast majority have retained the ancient settings; particularly those by a diverse range of illustrators including Gene Luen Yang, Nina Matsumoto, and Carla Speed McNeil. Most of the other creators in this collection are known better through their webcomics and indie titles. The illustrations range from manga-like cartoon-y artwork to detailed and realistic penciling and the application of black and shadows. The mood of the stories is also as diverse as the tales themselves, with a mixture of light and dark themes. Some of the tales are excerpts from longer legends and books such as Yang’s “From the Journey of the Monkey King” from American Born Chinese. All the tales offer warnings or advice for the protagonists and the readers. Unfortunately for many of the protagonists, there is a great deal of pain in learning these lessons. They do, as the overall theme indicates, offer a cautionary edification for the reader.

I wish I could recommend this for library collections but the lack of source notes for this storyteller is truly a stumbling block. There is no need in today’s publishing world not to respect the tales and culture from where the stories originated. Very few of the entries even acknowledge that the individual tale has been adapted.

Tamamo the Fox Maiden and Other Asian Stories 
By C. Spike Trotman, ed. Kate Ashwin, ed. Kel McDonald
Art by Carla Speed McNeil, Gene Leun Yang, Nina Matsumoto, et al
ISBN: 9781945820342
Iron Circus, 2018
Publisher Age Rating: all ages
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)

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