Fashion Beast

Last updated

Fashion Beast
FashionBeastCoverIssue1.jpg
First edition cover of Fashion Beast issue 1
Publication information
Publisher Avatar Press
ScheduleMonthly
Format Limited series
No. of issues10
Creative team
Written by Alan Moore, Malcolm McLaren, Antony Johnston
Artist(s)Facundo Percio
Colorist(s) Hernan Cabrera

Fashion Beast is a 2012 ten issue limited series and screenplay by Alan Moore, Malcolm McLaren, and Antony Johnston. [1] The series is an adaptation of a 1980s script that Moore wrote based upon the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast . [2]

Contents

Synopsis

The series begins with Doll, who dreams of stardom, getting fired from her job as a coat checker at a trendy dance club after an angry patron vandalises the cloakroom. [3] [4] Unemployed, she attends an audition to be a "mannequin" for Celestine, a hermit and much sought-after designer rumoured to be disfigured. Despite her audition being panned by the elderly women that run his fashion house and factory, Celestine chooses Doll to be his newest model. However she very soon discovers that the same person who vandalised the cloakroom, a designer named Jonni, also works at Celestine's factory.

The two are immediately at odds with each other, with Jonni putting Doll down as someone who would do anything for fame. Upset, Doll runs from the factory, only to later return. Jonni is drawn to Doll, finding her an unintentional muse for her work, yet is angry and disgusted with her, especially after Doll takes credit for some of her fashion ideas. Jonni attempts to complain to Celestine, only to be rebuked for her actions. Doll is later called to his office, where Celestine gives her a speech on the power of fashion and the limitations of humanity. This frightens Doll, but she is persuaded to remain in his office because Celestine is lonely. He confesses that he remains in his office designing clothing and playing with tarot cards to hide his disfigurement from society. Celestine also comments upon his deceased mother, saying that she was incredibly beautiful and that she frequently told him that he was unattractive. Curious, Doll demands to see Celestine's face and is stunned to see that rather than a hideous monster, Celestine is incredibly attractive and that his beliefs stem from his mother's words and a mirror that dramatically distorts his appearance. Despite this, Doll lies to Celestine when he asks her if he's ugly. Emotional due to the lie, Doll runs downstairs and confronts his managers, who tell her that they keep Celestine in the dark because he is only capable of designing beautiful clothing because he believes himself ugly. They further mention that Doll herself is aware of this and that this is why she told the lie.

The tension in the fashion house grows ever more complicated as Doll begins to long to go outside and experience some of her previous life. She gains permission from Celestine to go back to some of the places she used to visit, only to be confronted by Jonni, who believes that Celestine has lost touch with reality. Jonni further expounds on his viewpoints, saying that he believes that the surrounding group of lowlifes, prostitutes, and various other passers-by are vital and colourful. Doll angrily confronts Jonni, disputing his claims. Upset and disappointed at how much everything has changed in both herself and the outside world, Doll returns home and finds that Celestine has slit his wrists in an attempt to seek freedom from the fashion house he considers a prison.

Celestine passes away from his self-inflicted injuries and Jonni takes over as the head of Celestine's fashion house, as Celestine specified that this was what he wanted. Jonni and Doll are shown to have started a relationship of sorts along with their working relationship. However the series ends with Jonni discovering Celestine's mirror and seeing how it distorted his appearance just as much as it did Celestine's.

History

Fashion Beast was originally written by Moore in 1985 while he was working on Watchmen , with the intention of it becoming a full-length feature film. [5] The screenplay was never filmed and the work sat unpublished for thirty years until Moore was approached by Avatar Press to collaborate on a graphic novel adaptation of the work with Antony Johnson and Facundo Percio. [6] Fashion Beast was announced to have a ten issue run, [7] with the first issue releasing in September 2012. [8] The ten issues were collected in a trade paperback, also titled Fashion Beast, in 2013.

Reception

Reception for issue one of Fashion Beast has been mostly positive. [9] Comic Book Resources wrote that there were pacing issues with the first issue and that its origins as a screenplay were apparent, but that it "is quite close to being a fairly typical Alan Moore experience. Which is to say, it's actually very good." [10]

Related Research Articles

<i>Watchmen</i> Comics by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Watchmen is a comic book limited series by the British creative team of writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons and colorist John Higgins. It was published monthly by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987 before being collected in a single-volume edition in 1987. Watchmen originated from a story proposal Moore submitted to DC featuring superhero characters that the company had acquired from Charlton Comics. As Moore's proposed story would have left many of the characters unusable for future stories, managing editor Dick Giordano convinced Moore to create original characters instead.

<i>V for Vendetta</i> Graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd

V for Vendetta is a British graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd. Initially published between 1982 and 1985 in black and white as an ongoing serial in the British anthology Warrior, its serialisation was completed in 1988–89 in a ten-issue colour limited series published by DC Comics in the United States. Subsequent collected editions were typically published under DC's specialised imprint, Vertigo, until that label was shut down in 2018. Since then it has been transferred to DC Black Label. The story depicts a dystopian and post-apocalyptic near-future history version of the United Kingdom in the 1990s, preceded by a nuclear war in the 1980s that devastated most of the rest of the world. The Nordic supremacist, neo-fascist, outwardly Christofascistic, and homophobic fictional Norsefire political party has exterminated its opponents in concentration camps, and now rules the country as a police state.

<i>Hellblazer</i> 1988–2020 comic book series

John Constantine, Hellblazer is an American contemporary horror comic-book series published by DC Comics since January 1988, and subsequently by its Vertigo imprint since March 1993, when the imprint was introduced. Its central character is the streetwise English sorcerer and con man John Constantine, who was created by Alan Moore and Stephen R. Bissette, and first appeared as a supporting character in Swamp Thing #37, during that creative team's run on that title. Hellblazer had been published continuously since January 1988, and was Vertigo's longest-running title, the only remaining publication from the imprint's launch. In 2013, the series concluded with issue 300, and was replaced by Constantine, which returned the character to the mainstream DC Universe. The original series was revived in November 2019 for twelve issues as part of The Sandman Universe line of comics, under the DC Black Label brand. Well known for its extremely pessimistic tone and social/political commentary, the series has spawned a film adaptation, television show, novels, and multiple spin-offs and crossovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Talbot</span> British comics artist and writer (born 1952)

Bryan Talbot is a British comics artist and writer, best known as the creator of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright and its sequel Heart of Empire, as well as the Grandville series of books. He collaborated with his wife, Mary M. Talbot to produce Dotter of Her Father's Eyes, which won the 2012 Costa biography award.

Tom Strong is an American comic book series created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse, initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division. Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero", with a wife, Dhalua, and a daughter, Tesla, both with enhanced physical and mental abilities and longevity. He lives in a building called The Stronghold in Millennium City. He is also helped by Pneuman, a steam-powered robot, and King Solomon, a gorilla with human characteristics. His greatest foe is tuxedo-clad "science villain" Paul Saveen. The series explores many different timelines and universes, which are a nod to different comic genres. The primary characters are tributes to and spoofs of early pulp heroes.

In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 is the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dame Darcy</span> Cartoonist

Dame Darcy Pleasant, better known by the pen name Dame Darcy, is an alternative cartoonist, fine artist, musician, cabaret performer, and animator/filmmaker. Her "Neo-Victorian" comic book series Meat Cake was published by Fantagraphics Books from 1993 to 2008. The Meat Cake Bible compilation was released in June 2016 and nominated for The Eisner Award July 2017. Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal, with Fashion, Makeup & Wedding Tips, written by Maya Gottfried and illustrated by Dame Darcy, was the Silver Medalist winners of the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonni Future</span> Comics character

Jonni Future is a fictional comic book heroine, who appeared in the pages of Tom Strong's Terrific Tales, a series published under writer Alan Moore's America's Best Comics line of comic books for Wildstorm Comics. The stories were written by Steve Moore and most of them were illustrated by Art Adams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avatar Press</span> American independent comic book publisher

Avatar Press is an independent American comic book publisher founded in 1996 by William A. Christensen, and based in Rantoul, Illinois. It was originally known for publishing bad girl comics, such as Pandora, Hellina, Lookers, The Ravening, and Brian Pulido's Lady Death. Later the company became better known for publishing particularly violent titles by popular and critically acclaimed writers such as Alan Moore, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Jonathan Hickman, and Kieron Gillen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jill Thompson</span> American illustrator and writer (born 1966)

Jill Thompson is an American illustrator and writer who has worked for stage, film, and television. Well known for her work on Neil Gaiman's The Sandman characters and her own Scary Godmother series, she has worked on The Invisibles, Swamp Thing, and Wonder Woman as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">America's Best Comics</span> American comic book imprint

America's Best Comics (ABC) was a comic book publishing brand. It was set up by Alan Moore in 1999 as an imprint of WildStorm, an idea proposed to Moore by WildStorm founder Jim Lee when it was still under Image Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Husbands and Knives</span> 7th episode of the 19th season of The Simpsons

"Husbands and Knives" is the seventh episode of the nineteenth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on November 18, 2007. It features guest appearances from Alan Moore, Art Spiegelman, and Dan Clowes as themselves and Jack Black as Milo. It was written by Matt Selman and directed by Nancy Kruse. The title is a reference to the Woody Allen film Husbands and Wives.

<i>Anna Mercury</i> Comic book series

Anna Mercury is an American creator-owned comic book series created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Facundo Percio. Two series featuring the character have been published by Avatar Press.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antony Johnston</span> British writer

Antony Johnston is a British writer of comics, video games, and novels. He is known for the post-apocalyptic comic series Wasteland, the graphic novel The Coldest City, and his work on several Image Comics series. In May 2023, Johnston published The Dog Sitter Detective, the first in a series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Moore</span> British comic book author (born 1953)

Alan Moore is an English author known primarily for his work in comic books including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The Ballad of Halo Jones, Swamp Thing, Batman: The Killing Joke, and From Hell. He is widely recognised among his peers and critics as one of the best comic book writers in the English language. Moore has occasionally used such pseudonyms as Curt Vile, Jill de Ray, Brilburn Logue, and Translucia Baboon; also, reprints of some of his work have been credited to The Original Writer when Moore requested that his name be removed.

<i>Neonomicon</i> Comic book series by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows

Neonomicon is a four-issue comic book limited series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Jacen Burrows, published by American company Avatar Press in 2010. The story is a sequel to Moore's previous story Alan Moore's The Courtyard and continues exploring H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Moore later continued the sequence with his comic Providence.

<i>Crawl To Me</i>

Crawl To Me is a comic book miniseries that was written and illustrated by Life of Agony bassist Alan Robert. The series was published through IDW Publishing from June 2011 through October 2011 and comprised four issues. The collected issues were released in a trade paperback on 17 January 2012 and a special "Evil Edgar Edition" was released on 14 August 2012 with additional artwork, an introduction by Walter Simonson, and cover artwork by Menton3. A limited "Red Label" deluxe edition was released in 2013 and featured a slipcase, signature page, and hand-drawn artwork along with the material included in the "Evil Edgar Edition".

The Show is a 2020 British fantasy neo-noir film, written by Alan Moore and directed by Mitch Jenkins. The film follows a detective arriving in Northampton searching for a missing artefact. It stars Tom Burke, Siobhan Hewlett, Ellie Bamber and Alan Moore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Michael Linsner</span> American comics creator

Joseph Michael Linsner is an American comic book writer/artist, known as the creator of the mature-audiences supernatural character Dawn, and for his illustrations of female characters. He is a popular cover artist in the comics industry.

<i>Caliban</i> (comic book series) 2014 comic books by Garth Ennis

Caliban is a creator-owned comic book series, blending the science fiction and horror genres. The series was created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Facundo Percio, and published by Avatar Press as a seven-issue limited series in 2014.

References

  1. Verbenas, Ricky (3 October 2012). "Avatar Plug of the Week: Fashion Beast Reviews and Preview" . Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  2. "Alan Moore's 'Fashion Beast': Comic Vs. Screenplay". Bloody Disgusting. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  3. Barry, Doug (9 October 2012). "Fashion Beast Is the Dystopian Future Fashion House Monopoly Comic You've Been Waiting For". Jezebel. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  4. Klassen, Anna (11 October 2012). "Meet Fashion Beast: Drag Queen Comic". Daily Beast. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  5. Davidson, Keith (23 July 2012). "Fashion Beast: The Missing Piece of an Alan Moore Puzzle". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  6. "Comic-Book Legend Alan Moore's Gender-Bending "Fashion Beast" Finally Published". Queerty.com. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  7. "Fashion Beast: The Malcolm McLaren Graphic Novel by Alan Moore, Antony Johnston And Facundo Percio". Bleeding Cool. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  8. Davidson, Keith (12 June 2012). "The Alan Moore Classic 25 Years in the Making: Fashion Beast Cover Debut". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  9. "Review: Alan Moore's 'Fashion Beast' #1". Bloody Disgusting. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  10. Hunt, James (10 September 2012). "FASHION BEAST #1" . Retrieved 23 September 2012.