I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer by Doug Wagner, illustrated by Daniel Hillyard
Image Comics (December 16, 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage
Doug Wagner is an American comic book writer whose Image Comics include Plastic (co-created with Daniel Hillyard), The Hard Place (with Nic Rummel), Gun Candy (with Brian Stelfreeze), and The Ride (with too many to list). He’s also written titles such as I.C.E., World of Warcraft: Bloodsworn, Legends of the Dark Knight, and Witchblade/Red Sonja. Doug can be found hiding out in Park City, Utah where he spends his days creating madness, frolicking down the slopes with his lovely wife, and reveling cuddle time with the sweetest kitty in the world. His newest graphic novel is I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer.
Rennie Bethary has just been accepted into New York City’s most prestigious fashion school. Her designs are daring, edgy, and singular, but also made of human flesh and bone. When Rennie gets stressed, the predators of society get hurt, and there’s nothing else to do with their skin but sew. When Rennie gains a new friend at fashion school, Sofie, things begin to turn around for her. Until Sofie goes missing, and Rennie needs new supplies for school.
Doug Wagner has created a gripping anti-hero story. Rennie is similar to Dexter or Hannibal Lector, but her dedication to fashion and fashion design makes her unique amongst fictional serial killers. Wagner taps into these famous fictional monsters, but also adds a healthy dose of Elizabeth Bathory into the mix, creating a new killer all of his own creation. Furthermore, while illustrator Daniel Hillyard knows his anatomy, the violence is hypercolorized and stylized to be almost cartoonish, detracting from the blood and gore and emphasizing the insanity of the killer.
Wagner has created a unique and interesting serial killer. Making his murderer a young fashion school student was unique, and allows him to create a storyline of death and corruption that’s both intriguing and entertaining. Hillyard’s stylistic illustrations, and his vibrant use of color to mirror Rennie’s mental health status, makes for an engaging read. Fans of horror graphic novels, especially those featuring serial killers, will absolutely enjoy I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer.
