FEASTS OF FURY

Traveling chef Rutabaga and his magical cooking-pot companion, Pot, continue to journey the world in search of new ingredients.

When the going gets tough, the tough get cooking in this sequel to Rutabaga the Adventure Chef (2015). Though Rutabaga is now a veteran traveler, his friendliness and naiveté still land him in plenty of exciting scrapes, including encounters with giant spiders, a clever thief, and malicious gubblins. Fortunately, he’s able to cook his way out of most of his pinches, thanks to his inventive use of ingredients and menus. Though there are a few references to the first book, the narrative is episodic, and it’s not necessary to have read the first book to follow the story. Some readers may be disappointed, however, by the continued lack of character and plot development. Rutabaga’s goofy artlessness is funny at first, but it grows repetitive as the story goes on. Similarly, the straightforward, cartoonish illustrations are a little dull over the course of a novel-length work. Suggest this graphic novel to fans of comic strips and other short-form works; readers searching for longer, plot-heavy series are unlikely to find it to their tastes.

Amusing but bland, this graphic novel works better as a snack than as a meal.