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Review | Hungry Ghosts: Anthony Bourdain graphic-novel horror story is fitting tribute to a restless soul

  • One of the late chef and presenter’s final collaborations is a collection of graphic short horror stories
  • The action, set at a dinner party, is delivered with a flair for the culinary macabre

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Created in collaboration with novelist Joel Rose, Anthony Bourdain’s book of kitchen nightmares, Hungry Ghosts, presents nine horrow stories illustrated by 10 comic book artists. Picture: Alamy
Joyce Lau

Hungry Ghosts
by Anthony Bourdain, with Joel Rose
Berger Books/Dark Horse Comics

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Anthony Bourdain died in June while in France, working on Parts Unknown, his popular CNN food-travel show. He had recently been in Hong Kong, happily exploring the city’s grittier corners in search of roast pork, dai pai dong wontons, cart dim sum and cha chaan teng noodle soup.

In his final television segment, broadcast posthumously, he slouched coolly on the Star Ferry at night and took in the skyline with his glamorous Italian girlfriend, Asia Argento, and cinematographer Chris Doyle.

“It was the most intensely satisfying experience of my professional life and a show that I am giddily, ecstatically proud of,” Bourdain wrote in The Hollywood Reporter.

At around the same time, Bourdain and noir novelist Joel Rose finished their collaboration on a graphic novel, Hungry Ghosts, nine horror stories with illustrations by 10 comic artists. They dedicated it to the “enduring allure” of classic horror/crime imprint EC Comics and its master storytellers. “May resting in peace not be an option,” they wrote, ominously.

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A few days later, Bourdain died by suicide. Rose, a fellow New Yorker who had known the presenter for 35 years, added a dedication for his co-author just before the book went to press. “For the hungriest ghost of them all: my friend, my collaborator, my pal, my long-time running mate. May resting in peace truly not be your option. Save me a beer, brother, and a seat at the table.”
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