Written by John Layman with art by Rob Guillory, Chew is a comedy-mystery series with a twist that won two Eisner Awards and two Harvey Awards. It was published by Image Comics from June 2009 to November 2016.
Now the series came back with a spin-off called Chu, and there are multiple editions of the original one. Here is a guide to help you navigate all this.
But first, what’s the story? Here is the official Chew synopsis: Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he’s a hell of a detective ― as long as he doesn’t mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit and why.
He’s been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest, and most bizarre cases.
Chew Comics in Order: The Trade Paperbacks
First, we start with the traditional Trade Paperbacks collection, next we’ll take a look at the omnibus editions. And then, the even bigger editions.
The First main series was collected in 12 regular-size TPBs (60 issues), then came the spin-off (still ongoing).
- Chew, Volume 1: Taster’s Choice
Collects Chew #1–5 - Chew, Volume 2: International Flavor
Collects Chew #6–10 - Chew, Volume 3: Just Desserts
Collects Chew #11–15 - Chew, Volume 4: Flambé
Collects Chew #16–20 - Chew, Volume 5: Major League Chew
Collects Chew #21–25
- Chew, Volume 6: Space Cakes
Collects Chew #26–30, Chew: Secret Agent Poyo one-shot - Chew, Volume 7: Bad Apples
Collects Chew #31–35 - Chew, Volume 8: Family Recipes
Collects Chew #36–40 - Chew, Volume 9: Chicken Tenders
Collects Chew #41–45, Chew: Warrior Chicken Poyo one-shot - Chew, Volume 10: Blood Puddin`
Collects Chew #46–50 - Chew, Volume 11: The Last Suppers
Collects Chew #51–55, Chew / Revival one-shot - Chew, Volume 12: Sour Grapes
Collects Chew #56–60, Chew: Demon Chicken Poyo one-shot
Crossover! Just how does Tony Chu wind up aboard the starship Charon thousands of years in the future? How does Captain Joshua Rigg deal with this cibopathic stowaway?
- Outer Darkness/Chew
Collects Outer Darkness/Chew #1-3
And now, it’s time for Chu: Like Tony, Saffron Chu is a cibopars, able to learn secrets from who she eats with. Tony is a cop. Saffron is a criminal. They are brother and sister, and they are on a collision course.
- Chu, Volume 1: First Course
Collects Chu #1-5. - Chu, Volume 2: (She) Drunk History
Collects Chu #6-10.
Chew Comics in Order: Omnivore Editions
The Omnivore Edition of Chew is an oversized hardcover edition loaded with extras.
- Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 1
Collects Chew #1–10 - Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 2
Collects Chew #11–20 - Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 3
Collects Chew #21–30 and the Chew: Secret Agent Poyo one-shot - Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 4
Collects Chew #31–40 - Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 5
Collects Chew #41–50 and Chew: Warrior Chicken Poyo one-shot - Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 6
Collects Chew #51–60, Demon Chicken Poyo one-shot, and Chew/Revival one-shots
Chew Comics in Order: Smorgasbord Editions
The Smorgasbord Edition of Chew is a collection of oversized slip-cased volumes (deluxe hardcover), jam-packed with extras
- CHEW Smorgasbord Edition Volume 1
Collects Chew #1–20 - CHEW Smorgasbord Edition Volume 2
Collects Chew #21–40 and the Chew: Secret Agent Poyo one-shot - CHEW Smorgasbord Edition Volume 3
Collects Chew #41–60 and the Chew: Warrior Chicken Poyo one-shot, Chew: Demon Chicken Poyo one-shot, and the dual crossover event, Chew/Revival