Tony Chu
Creation & Design
Tony Chu was created by writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory, debuting in the comic series Chew. The character was designed to be a unique blend of detective and culinary themes, with a supernatural ability that allows him to gain insights from the food he consumes.
Early Years
Tony Chu is a cibopath, meaning he can receive psychic impressions from anything he eats. This ability leads him to work as a detective for the FDA, investigating food-related crimes in a world where chicken has been banned due to a bird flu epidemic.
Character Development
Throughout the series, Tony evolves from a reluctant detective into a confident hero who embraces his unique abilities. His relationships with other characters, including his partner and love interests, deepen as he navigates the complexities of his life and work.
Cultural Reception
Chew received critical acclaim for its unique premise, humor, and art style, garnering several awards including Eisner Awards.
Character Details
Aliases:
Chog, Detective Chu
Affiliations:
FDA, The Cibopaths
Abilities:
Cibopathy, Detective skills
Equipment:
FBI badge, Various culinary tools