A Story of Dreams, Love, and Entomophagy: Review of ‘Meal’

Creators: Blue Delliquanti (Writer, Illustrator), Soleil Ho (Writer) / Iron Circus Comics Dreams. Love. Entomophagy. I am not necessarily entomophobic, but insects and I certainly aren’t on the best of terms. The creepy crawlers definitely have me a little squeamish at times, and the idea of eating bugs still inadvertently closes my throat up. However, all of my personal apprehensions aside, I found myself enamored with the culinary concoctions that was Delliquanti’s and Ho’s Meal.

Meal chronicles the journey of Yarrow, a young chef who has moved across the country in hopes of impressing her idol, Chanda Flores. Along the way, she becomes friends with neighborhood artist, Milani, and discovers the true meaning of cooking along the way. Yet in addition to the queer romance that drives the story’s B-plot, Meal is unique in that both Yarrow and Chanda specialize in the preparation and serving of insects. In addition to being a sweet and sentimental story about preserving culture, Delliquanti and Ho spend a fair portion of the book educating the reader on the history and benefits of insect proteins. Throughout the 150-page story, we get fascinating insights into why certain cultures have been more readily accepting of insects and actually preparations of mealworms and honey larvae. In fact, after the main narrative is complete, there are recipes in the back for some of the dishes that were presented.

Delliquanti and Ho make a wonderful team. Yarrow’s emotional arc in connecting…