{"id":34294,"date":"2025-11-18T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/?p=34294"},"modified":"2025-11-17T18:48:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T18:48:03","slug":"bone-broth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comicsreview.co.uk\/nowreadthis\/2025\/11\/18\/bone-broth\/","title":{"rendered":"Bone Broth"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nBy Alex Taylor<\/strong> (SelfMadeHero)
\nISBN: 978-1-91422-432-4 (TPB)<\/p>\n

Win\u2019s Christmas Gift Recommendation: Tasty Treats for Comics Fan-Addicts… 9\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a quick, short review of a big, utterly fulfilling, extremely entertaining new confection from queer visual artist Alex Taylor. Winner of the First Graphic Novel Award<\/em> for 2023, Bone Broth<\/strong> is set in contemporary London – literally underneath the arches! – and compellingly addresses modern living via the oldest traditions of mystery thriller writing…<\/p>\n

Ash<\/em> ia young transmaculine artist who almost nearly properly grown up. All that\u2019s missing is to make enough money to pay rent, buy supplies and secure the meds supporting still- ongoing surgeries. That ideal opportunity knocks when crusty old coot\/ramen sensei Bug<\/em> adds the weedy-seeming new guy to the remarkable staff at his traditional noodle bar.
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\nThat highly popular haven of exotic eats and affordable takeouts is located off a dingy alley with trains roaring and clattering above at all times. It reminds me of Brixton, but of course, other rail lines, vibrant cross-cultural districts and eateries are available…<\/p>\n

Business is brisk and Ash gets acquainted with floor maneger Honey<\/em>, Sock<\/em>, Blue<\/em>, and burly Japanese broth-engineer Creamy<\/em> – who philosophically monitors and stirs the industrial scale tonkotsu <\/em>that is basis of all the dishes – whilst scrambling to learn the ropes. The work is intense, fast, complicated, relentless and – just like in any specialist enteprise (like a comic shop for instance ) – sticky, clammy, cloying and jampacked with weirdoes<\/span> individualists on both sides of the till.
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\nNevertheless, Ash is immediatly part of the family, trading history and opinions, sharing moments and learning to live with the miasmic funk of entire pig carcasses perpetually becoming soup 24\/7. It\u2019s the kind of toil that quickly builds bonds that feel decades old so it\u2019s no wonder everybody kicks back for celebratory drinks occaiosnally. Like the End-of-Year staff do when Bug drinks so much that he just goes to sleep on the floor and everybody took selfies with him.<\/p>\n

Of course, Bug wasn\u2019t unconcious and they all have to try and make rational decisions whilst being that <\/em>drunk. Deleting recents posts is easy and logical but voting to lose the sensei in the body-rending broth doesn\u2019t seem like such a great idea now…
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\nDraped in biological hues and mired in literally organic imagery, Bone Broth<\/strong>\u2019s motifs accentuate an unfolding comedy of errors: deftly mirroring the surgical progress of changing gender whilst reflecting on whatever beneficial butchery is involved in resculpting and crafting a human form with secret knowledge is exposed to those willing to look and think instead of react and revolt. This is a tale that some people will never countenance and that\u2019s sad for them, because its also great stuff demanding second helpings…<\/p>\n

Wryly subversive, tantalisingly warming and definitely NOT for little kids, this potent parable is seasoned with buddy film tropes and garnished with a delicious twist that will hit the spot for anyone with a taste for the out-of-the-ordinary fodder. Also included are a heartfelt \u2018Thanks\u2019<\/em> section and look at the artist\u2019s \u2018Process\u2019<\/em> to deliver a multi-layered trifle you\u2019d be fool to turn your nose up at.
\nText and images \u00a9 2025 Alex Taylor. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n

Today in 1951 Bob Smith<\/strong> (Super Friends<\/strong>, Superman<\/strong>, Plastic Man<\/strong>, Archie Comics<\/strong>) was born, as was Northampton\u2019s Finest Alan Moore<\/strong> two years later. In 1985 Bill Watterson<\/strong>\u2019s enfant terrible et big buddy Calvin and Hobbes<\/strong> launched. 1991 today saw UK comics stalwart Reg Parlett<\/strong> leave us. All of these optical miracles should be scrutinised at great length, so please go do that…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Alex Taylor (SelfMadeHero) ISBN: 978-1-91422-432-4 (TPB) Win\u2019s Christmas Gift Recommendation: Tasty Treats for Comics Fan-Addicts… 9\/10 Here\u2019s a quick, short review of a big, utterly fulfilling, extremely entertaining new confection from queer visual artist Alex Taylor. Winner of the First Graphic Novel Award for 2023, Bone Broth is set in contemporary London – literally … <\/p>\n

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