Rare Flavours #2: You May Start Sweating

Rare Flavours #2 continues the exploration of Indian culture through the motif of food and its history. Despite these characters only existing in one issue before this, they feel like long-lost friends here, allowing the reader to follow along and become engrossed in the storytelling. The episodic nature of the issue will enable it to be read as a one-and-done adventure for these protagonists, with the continued focus on the food, recipes, and history surrounding everything. Keeping up with the soaring heights of the introductory issue, Rare Flavours #2 is a captivating, powerful, and informative journey into the Indian deserts.

Ram V continues to stun in how he keeps the book interactive while also telling a compelling story. At some points, it almost feels like Rubin is speaking directly to the reader, whereas others feel like the reader is a bystander witnessing these events from Dilshan and Dilkush’s perspectives. This allows the story to grow as a suspenseful thriller while allowing Rubin and Mo’s friendship to flourish and grow as they explore the history behind these dishes. Much like the first issue, Rare Flavours #2 dedicates a large amount of page real estate to the recipes for the words that Rubin is making. This interweaving of formula, culture, and narratives keeps the book fresh on every page. 

Filipe Andrade’s colors and pencils continue to be a marvel to witness, as his exploration of the Indian desert feels as authentic as it is awe-inspiring. Andrade has a unique way of drawing faces that allows him to make the slightest alterations to convey the changing of emotions. This simplistic pattern allows the feelings to be shared while also keeping the panels static and in motion. Andrade also uses colors to create juxtaposition and feel throughout the book. When the characters arrive at the field of peppers, they see a sea of red, contrasting with the blue sky. This image makes the peppers appear as an ocean of red, which helps ease the tension of the uneasy feeling leading up to Rubin revealing his true intentions to Mo. This all creates a well-paced and well-thought-out issue.

Despite not showing the murders on the pages, Rare Flavours #2 maintains a mature tone and riveting thriller pace. Throughout the issue, the tension rises. This, paired with the deep cultural discussion, creates a unique style unlike anything else on the comic stands. Much like this creative team’s previous work, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, Rare Flavours continues to push the envelope for what is possible within the comic book medium.