Working in fashion is a cutthroat calling. And Rennie Bethary is no stranger to cutthroat. She’s achieved her dream of being accepted to a competitive fashion school in New York City, but she has to balance that with her other calling: serial killing. While her clothing designs secured her admittance into fashion school, the question is whether she can keep her bloodthirsty inclinations at bay long enough to finish school. Will the new relationships and friends she’s making be at risk because of her hidden darkness?
Interest piqued? Then you don’t need to be sleeping on I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer, a new Image Comics miniseries from the creative minds of writer Doug Wagner, artist Daniel Hillyard, colorist Michelle Madsen, and letterer Ed Dukeshire. This blurring of genres and themes hits that sweet spot of novelty that reveals emotional truths and characterization. Think the high school seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the early installments of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina with a skin crawling (literally) sensibility.
I spoke with Doug Wagner recently about the conceit of I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer, the inspiration for the series, working with the creative team, lovably dangerous (or dangerously lovable?) nature of Rennie.
I went into I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer already primed to love it; serial killer stories–especially genre-bending/blending ones–are my jam. And I love Doug Wagner’s work, especially Klik Klik Boom. (Check out our interview with Mr. Wagner about the comic here!) But in the inaugural issue (and the two issues since), I was surprised how much I found myself rooting for Rennie. You want to see her do well, despite all of the serial killing. That’s the power of Wagner’s work: he gives you heroes to cheer for in unexpected places. Even those with a penchant of crafting clothing from cadavers.
FreakSugar: For folks considering picking up the book, what is the concept of I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer?
Doug Wagner: I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer centers on Rennie Bethary, a young woman with a dream of becoming a renowned fashion designer and a habit of crafting outfits from her victims’ remains. She’s just enrolled at one of New York City’s top fashion schools, vowing to blend in and make it through the year without giving in to her… darker urges. All she has to do is focus on school, keep a low profile, and avoid murdering any classmates. Easy, right?
FS: This book surprised me in how quickly I was drawn in. I loved your work going in, but this took some unexpected turns while fleshing out (no pun intended) the world in an economic way. No panel feels wasted. What was your inspiration for the series?
DW: This one’s always hard to explain, because ideas just sort of pop into my head like weird little gifts from my brain gremlins. In this instance, I was deep into research on female serial killers (just your normal Tuesday at the Wagner household) and bumped into Elizabeth Bathory. You know, the one rumored to bathe in blood? I started wondering, “Okay, but what did she do with all the bodies?” And that’s when my brain went straight to full-on resourcefulness, like the way Native Americans used every part of the buffalo. No waste. So why not apply that logic to murder? So, I figured, hey, what if someone used the remains to make fashion? Clothes, accessories, you name it. Hide the bodies in plain sight. It’s disturbing, sure, but oddly… practical? Yeah, maybe don’t quote me on that.
FS: Rennie is a fully-formed character when we first meet her. What can you tell us about our through-character?
DW: Rennie is at a crossroads in her life. Yes, she’s a serial killer. But she wants to be more than JUST a serial killer. She also wants to be a fashionista. She’s alone and prefers it that way. She simply wants to make her way through fashion school, keep her head down, and try NOT to murder any of her classmates. She may not be successful at ANY of that.
FS: Following up on that, do we get more insight into why Rennie does what she does as the series continues?
DW: Absolutely! You’ll get to see the basis of why she does what she does, but more importantly, you’ll get to see her evolve into something new. What would make Rennie even more dangerous, more deadly, and more lovable all at the same time?
FS: The art in the first issue sets a beautiful tone throughout the comic. What is the collaboration like with the rest of the creative team?
DW: Personally, I prefer to have a close, open, and transparent relationship with everyone on the team. I’ve been working continuously with Daniel Hillyard and Ed Dukeshire for the better part of ten years, so our collaboration has become pretty seamless at this point. And I’ve been working with Michelle almost nonstop for five years. I think the biggest trick is we all don’t really bring our egos to the table when we’re working together. Somehow, this group can put that aside and focus solely on delivering the best work we possibly can. Story and the delivery of that story always comes first. Through that, we’ve all become pretty good friends as well. I guess when you find the right people obsessed with delivering the best comics possible it just clicks.
FS: Gotta ask: Do you have a favorite serial killer tale? Or a genre-blending one?
DW: You don’t like easy questions, do you? Elizabeth Bathory is probably my favorite at the moment just because her legend is so rooted in mystery and rumor. I find it just fascinating that we will never know what the truth was. Did she murder dozens of people or thousands? I’ve also become obsessed with the portrayal of Edmund Kemper by Cameron Britton on Mindhunters, and possibly my favorite fictional serial killer is Garland Greene from Con Air.
FS: What are you reading right now?
DW: That’s a long list! As far as comics, I’m currently in love with Monster Heart, Napalm Lullaby, Huge Detective, Zero Ghost, Death Transit Tanager, and Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell. I’m also deep into the novel Slewfoot by Brom. Those are just the titles I can think of off the top of my head. I read way too much stuff and I’m months behind. The stack beside my desk is at least 3 feet high.
FS: Is there anything you can tease about what we can expect to see later in the series?
DW: Blood, more blood, a death umbrella, and friendship.
FS: If you had a final pitch for I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer, what would it be?
DW: Oh, I am so ready for this question! This book is perfect for fans of comic books like Stray Dogs, Feral, Nailbiter, and Ice Cream Man; TV shows like Wednesday, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Dexter; and movies like Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil and The Babysitter.
I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer #3 is out now from Image Comics.
From the official issue description of issue #3:
It’s midterms, and Rennie has decided no more scratching her skin, and no more murder until she’s finished school. She’s done with all that. Well, that was before Constance made Sofie cry, Bodhi started acting suspicious, and Sofie got called to the Dean’s office.