Recently I picked up two books about food and a social theme. I thought that it would be fun to do a review of “food books,” only to realize that they have a same author/illustrator as well, so it made sense that these graphic novels would have similar themes. And as Jem Milton’s style really says “I am a Jem of a book,” the illustrations connected as well.
I will start with Voyage de Gourmet by Paul Tobinm, Jem Milton and Micah Myers. First, not only has Myers done this, but I have also read The Last Session by Jasmine Walls that they were involved with. (I’m sure I’ve read other things with them, as that name tends to stick out, but just pointing out how all these lovely books have connections we might not see.). Now, onto Voyage: It is a funny coming of age when you’re already famous but still have a lot to learn about being a friend and good person. The over-the-topness is really over the top, the sweetness is very sweet. It is not WOW but there is a lot going on, totally crazy and potential for multiple types of readers. The food aspect does play a large part, but it is the personal relationships that work.
We follow the two main characters as they get on a Survivor-like Cooking show that if it is ridiculous, they’ll do it (cooking with lava anyone? Cooking over shark filled water?) But there was a time before this, when two of the characters were best friends, where one betrayed the trust of the other and when they were paired in this competition, well, the one thing you need is trust. This is just the start of things, you need to read about the extreme hyperbole that will either leave you wanting seconds, or you have had too much. There is a diverse cast (LGBTQ, of color, differently able bodied people) and funny illustrations that support the story, are not overly busy but add the spice needed.
Then I will go with Jem Milton’s solo Hunger Heart V01. Unlike Voyage, I do want a sequel (not that I didn’t enjoy Voyage, I am happy where they left things) as Milton left us on a real cliffhanger. It is a cute story about loving yourself, seeing each other for the real them and not the image you have of them and how things swirl around you and you’re sometimes just along for the ride. This time our cooking is not as in front of the story, but it is there. One of the main characters has become a sensation in the kitchen at age 19 and now it is all about the marketing of the image. People are more interested in if they are dating their old girlfriend, the claim he is bisexual, and if his hair is the right color. They want the model and not the food. Or at least most do, there are haters who want “family friendly” recipes (read not Queer), for him to “go back cooking” and to stop the glamor. But when he meets a budding freelance reporter, the story comes out, as do the love feelings.
The images are glossy illustrations that are sweet and bubbly, and keep the coming of age story light and fun. We have a heavy LGBTQ cast of characters (from a trans-non binary roommate, to a flamboyant gay man, to a FtM transgender person) and also different able-bodied people. This book is due in November 2024 and therefore read via an online reader copy.