Each month the creative team of Image Comics’ run away hit Chew provides a behind the scenes look to their book exclusively to The Comics Addiction in a segment known as “The Secret Ingredient of Chew”.  

The Comic Addiction: So we are through the first story arc now.  How much of a rollercoaster have the first five issues been for you guys?

JL: It’s hard to believe there have only been five issues. On the other hand, I am currently writing issue #9, and sometimes I’m shocked that we’re this far this fast. It’s all be very unbelievable, but in the best possible way.

The Comic Addiction: Based on the success and everything surrounding this book, has anything changed about the storyline or the characters since you first planned out this initial story arc?

JL:  Well, originally we foresaw a break between story arcs. I am financing the book and thought it was going to take some time to recoup my investment, so I could collect it and turn it around to be used for future story-arc. CHEW succeeding beyond our wildest dreams allowed us to make it a monthly. Originally, I had Savoy returning in issue #7, just briefly. But with the book monthly that did not seem enough of a break, so he got completely written out of the second story arc, so when he does return, it will have that much more impact.

The Comic Addiction: Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently with the book to this point?

JL: Nope. Everything has pretty much turned out perfectly, or close enough to perfect for me.

The Comic Addiction: Tony Chu seems to be a mild mannered guy to me at first glance.  I heave heard you describe him as “angry”.  Is their anything specific that makes has brought Tony to this point in his life?

JL: That’s something that will be explored in a later story arc focusing on Tony’s early years. Suffice to say, you don’t see that much death and horror at a very early age without it having a detrimental effect on your world view. Tony just keeps a lot of it bottled up.

The Comic Addiction: It is obvious through this issue that Chow and Tony don’t see eye-to-eye.  Have they always been at odds or is this more prevalent since Chow’s nervous breakdown?

JL: It has very little to do with Chow’s breakdown, and everything to do with Tony and Chow’s relationship with another member of the Chu family.

The Comic Addiction: When do we get to meet more of the Chu family?

JL: Issue #15. The Thanksgiving issue, which will be as big a game-changer to the story of CHEW as issue #5 was. And twice as shocking, at the very least! I think about that issue every day. I can’t freaking wait!

The Comic Addiction: For the second issue in a row Tony demonstrates a heightened ability in his gift, even beyond that of Savoy.  Is Tony more powerful or is he just more focused?

JL: More powerful. But nobody is exactly sure how much more powerful, not even Tony.

The Comic Addiction: The book mentions that Tony is one of three know cibiopaths; how much longer before we are introduced to the third person that possesses the power?

JL: There will be gargantuan hints in the second story arc, issues #6-#10, “International Flavor.”

The Comic Addiction: Okay, I have held out as long as I could…what is up with Mason Savoy?

JL: He’s a dangerous dude. You would not want to be on his bad side.

The Comic Addiction: It looked like Mason lost somebody.  Who did he love to the bird-flu scare?

JL: It does indeed look like Mason lost somebody.

The Comic Addiction: Is it fair to say that deep down Mason is really a good guy and just a victim to the circumstances?

JL: Fair to say, depending on the amount of compassion you feel for murderers.

The Comic Addiction: The first thing I thought when Mason went rogue was how are Tony and Applebee going to deal with one another?  Mason was the voice of reason.  What is going to happen now? 

JL: Ha! Tune in to issue #6 for Tony’s Worst. Assignment. Ever.

The Comic Addiction: Is Tony going to get a new partner?  Will it be a familiar face?

JL: A familiar half-face, anyway.

The Comic Addiction: Time for a few random questions.  Does Tony have a Facebook account?  Does he Tweet?  How technologically challenged is Tony?

JL: He’s too private and too friendless to be active on a social network. He knows his way around technology; he just does not have a lot of use for it.

The Comic Addiction: What does Tony do on his off day?  Favorite TV show, movies, music? 

JL: We’ll get to know Tony a lot more up close and person in the third story arc, issues #11-#15, “Just Desserts.”

The Comic Addiction: Describe the next story arc for us in a few words. 

JL: “I think it’s a fruit.”

The Comic Addiction: Any parting words or closing thoughts? 

JL: Just that Rob and I are real grateful for everybody who has supported his book, whether you are on board from the beginning or you hopped on late. We’re happy to have and doing our best to have as much twists and turns and gross-outs and laughs and surprises in the second story arc as we did the first. See you next month!

The Comic Addiction: As always thanks for taking the time to sit down and give us some behind the scenes information on the book.  I have seen the solicitation for the first trade and I am expecting it to sellout as fast of the floppies have been selling.  If anyone has an appetite for more Chew you can go to www.chewcomic.com.  Additionally you can check out Rob’s site at www.robguillory.com and John can be found at www.themightylayman.com.  Until next month keep your mouth closed if somebody releases an urn into a fan.