Rare Flavours #1: A Cookbook In Disguise

Rare Flavours #1 is Ram V and Filipe Andrade’s spiritual sequel to The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. Fans of that series will recall the exploration of culture and spirituality through the lense of larger and life deities, something that is mirrored in this introductory issue. Rare Flavours #1 introduces us to an immortal Rakshasa, Rubin Baksh, who sets out to make a documentary on the many foods that originate in India. In typical comic book fashion, there is a lot more than meets the eye going on here, with mysterious forces at play behind the scenes. This exploration into the culture of India is bound to attract history buffs and those who like to see how life is in other parts of the world, with Ram V infusing a lot of his own experiences into the discussion.

One thing that’s going to immediately stand out here is the emphasis on the food. Having the simple premise of creating a documentary about India’s food seems interesting enough, but what hides behind the curtain is a multifaceted look into India’s culture, all the way down to how these Indian dishes are made. Rare Flavours #1 focuses on Masala Chai, an Indian tea. Not only do the characters discuss the significance of this drink, but Ram V and Andrade also include step by step instructions on how it’s made. Having recipes featured in a comic book is not a novel idea, but the execution in this issue is absolutely groundbreaking. The recipe is infused in the story, right between the panels. This makes it as important to the story as anything else, not just relegated to an ending afterthought. If anyone wants to use this recipe at home, they will need to do so with the book open, reading not only how to make the drink, but also the culture behind it. 

Surrounding this recipe is Rubin’s story about the significance of this drink, highlighting the relationship between the chef and the culture surrounding him. This is where the magic behind this series starts to shine through. Having the recipe, the cultural discussion, and the genuine story of the book all mixed into the various panels without it feeling crowded is a genuine example of the skill behind Ram V and Andrade. Ram V has discussed this series in interviews, saying that he finds food to be the number one way to explore a new culture, a concept that is excellently executed here, and made all the better by the colorfully detailed and nuanced art from Andrade.

Beyond the discussion of food and culture, which serves as the glue behind this series, is the genuine mystery behind Rubin’s true motivations and goals, as well as the mythos behind his being. A Rakshasa is a malevolent being that originates in Hindu mythology, that feasts on humans. As is explored through the first few pages of the issue, Rubin was defeated long ago by a heroic figure who broke his back. Since then, Rubin has lived in the shadows, running a small cafe. This is all disrupted when he learns of the death of Anthony Bourdain, which sets him on the journey to create his own documentary about food. This all is told in the manner of only a few pages, with Ram V not holding your hand through any of it. If you don’t know what a Rakshasa is, or the history of Anthony Bourdain, there is definitely some homework to be done. While this may turn away some, it is a breath of fresh air to read a series where the creative team has so much faith in their readers, knowing that those who are genuinely curious about these things will look them up. This is the kind of adult storytelling that sets these creators apart from others in the medium.

Rounding out the discussion of Rare Flavours #1 is a look into the awe inspiring art from Filipe Andrade. Much like Laila Starr before, Andrade infuses so much nuance in culture into the art, really highlighting the look and feel of Mumbai. This is a look into the culture of India with a truly authentic feeling, unapologetically breaking stereotypes that many westerners may have. This art is essential to the cultural discussion, allowing the full immersion into this world.