Rare Flavours #3: It’s About The People, Not The People… I Mean Food… Same Difference

Rare Flavours #3 continues Rubin and Mo’s adventures through India as they explore the unique dishes the country has to offer, as well as the personal history behind those who make these dishes. All the while, Rubin is secretly a Rakshasa who is secretly eating the people making these dishes while being hunted by men who know of his secret. This issue continues the tour de force from the creative team behind The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, providing equal parts science fiction/mythological intrigue and cultural stories about how these fantastic dishes are brought to life. The overarching plot here comes to a startling high as Rubin’s secret comes to light, despite his efforts to prevent this.

Ram V continues to deliver a tour de force when it comes to the way he establishes these characters and this world deeply within the cultural and mythological aspects of India. Rubin has this great monologue where he explains the importance of the culture and history behind the dishes that he is seeking out. Although plot wise, he is referring to the flavors of the humans he is planning on devouring, the interpretation should be fairly obvious to readers, highlighting the strong themes infused throughout the story. Ram V definitely has been highlighting the importance of these cultural aspects through his various works, and the idea of finding an identity within these cultures through the shared histories of those behind these local dishes is absolutely fascinating.

Filipe Andrade absolutely kills it with the pencils and colors here, continuing to draw these settings with the utmost authenticity. In Rare Flavours #3 these settings range from streets, to markets, all the way to the interiors of homes. Andrade puts so much detail in even the smallest aspects, making things like stoves or ovens look so lifelike. Even in the stylistic choices behind the art style, Andrade’s art exudes a familiar sense mixed with the culture that Ram V and he are exploring. Overall, this is some of the most authentic, gorgeous art in comics.

Rounding out the creative aspects of the book are the letters from AndWorld Design, which add a lot more to the book when you look closely. The lettering is stylized in a sort of italic style that helps remind readers that though this book reads in English, the characters are definitely speaking the local language. Additionally, it adds to the aesthetic of a written letter, which is how Rubin narrates the story. Overall this all makes this book read so elegantly.