An STD called “The Beauty” causes peoples’ looks to improve but at a cost, especially as someone has found a way to kill them. This set of stories deals with various characters as Detective Vaughn investigates the murder of various Beauties and Joe continues to find out about what people want.
An interesting concept, this series is worth a look – well-written and clearly illustrated.
Engaging and enjoyable, this is well worth a read.
I managed to read 143 comics last year which was a bit more than anticipated and came at the expense of neglecting novels and audiobooks.
I love my comics but this year I'll be trying to pare it back a little and concentrate on getting my novel/novella TBR under control.
A fun first outing for me with the Suicide Squad team, the star is of course Harley Quinn and I'm looking forward to reading more of her this year.
A beautiful start to the Sandman series with the Robert Smith inspired Dream escaping capture and returning to his kingdom.
I loved all six books in this series but the reason I picked this one was due to Herr Starr. He is left wounded by Preacher, his head now resembles a penis and there are some hilarious panels that show him trying on wigs and hats with the same sour expression on his face until the last panel when he finds something he likes.
Great premise of beauty being a STD and how society values outer beauty at any cost. Amazing artwork makes this a must read.
A shocking end to an amazing series. Garth Ennis is a genius.
An STD called “The Beauty” causes peoples’ looks to improve but at a cost, especially as someone has found a way to kill them. The detectives involved are torn as they also have the disease. A cure may have been found but there are interests that do not want this spread about.
We’re then back to straight-forward conspiracies, double-crossings and gun violence. Many die.
This could be a Brubaker work in many respects: it’s just the context that’s different.
Engaging and enjoyable, this is well worth a read.
Bravo, sirs. Really though, kudos. I never thought that I'd be able to say that I was intrigued by an STD, but Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley have accomplished that for me. When we think of STDs, we think of them as things we don't want to contract. They are uncomfortable, embarrassing, and often terrifying in the way that they manifest themselves. In the world of The Beauty, that's all changed. What if you could contract and STD that would make you flawless? Perfect skin, perfect hair, no known side effects. If Haun and Hurley are right, that would spread like wildfire.
Oh, this was so good. The first volume of The Beauty does an amazing job of pulling you right into the middle of the story, but leaving a few loose ends dangling out there to keep you reading. I found myself caught up in a mystery. Remember when I said that this disease had "no known side-effects"? Well, they make themselves known fairly soon after you start reading this story, and they aren't pretty. While I could have used a little more background on our main characters, I liked them so much that it didn't make a difference after a few pages. I have a feeling more we'll get to know them better very, very soon.
This entire storyline is honestly brilliant though. It spotlights our obsession with fads, with beauty, and with being part of the masses. On the flip side, it also spotlights the terrible things that go on behind the scenes. Like big business having the opportunity to help people, and withholding it for profit. We all suspect that goes on, but Haun actually shows it close up. He takes these normal people, who never even wanted the "gift" they were given, and their struggle to just lead semi-normal lives. Add in an art style that is gorgeous, and an absolutely perfect addition to this story, and you have a series that I'm firmly in love with.
I'm glad I waited for the first trade paperback to come out. I don't know if my heart would have survived single issues. I can tell you right now though, I'm in for the duration of The Beauty. It has hooked me, and I'm completely okay with that.
(Original Top Ten Tuesday concept and topic from The Broke and the Bookish)
Today's list is slated to be Ten Books On My Spring TBR, but rather than make a TBR for spring when I’ve barely made headway into any of the others I’ve made for past Top Tens, I’m going to go with a list of the Top 10 ARCs I Desperately Need to Read ASAP (which is still a TBR, I know). I’ve been sitting on some of these ARCs for over a year, which kind of goes against the whole “reading in advance of release” thing.
Hannu Rajaniemi: Collected Fiction by Hannu Rajaniemi. I’ve dipped into it and love the style, but just haven’t been into a lot of short fiction lately.
The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone. This was requested based on one really strong review. Perhaps not the best barometer of my own interest.
The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher. Another one that came from a strong recommendation and has yet to be cracked open.
The Builders by David Polansky. I’m really interested to see where the Tor novellas are going to go. It would help if I read the only one I’ve requested so far. Plus, talking animals.
Investigating Lois Lane by Tim Hanley. I’ve never been terribly interested in Superman, but Lois’ history sounds fascinating.
Ladies Night at the Dreamland by Sonja Livingston. I really love essay collections, university press publications, and books about women, so this looks to be promising.
Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye. I’ve started this one, but it’s very dark (Jane Eyre if Jane were a serial killer!) and I’m taking my time.
The Beauty Volume 1 by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley. An interesting premise and the cover art drew me in.
Sister Light, Sister Dark by Jane Yolen. I’ve actually read this book before, but it was more than 15 years ago and I remember nothing other than I enjoyed it. I know I will like it and I want to boost the signal for it as a re-launch of a title that has been out of print for some time.
Through the Habitrails by Jeff Nicholson. It will be interesting to see how an early 90s social commentary comic holds up (from what I can tell, very little has changed).
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