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I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer #1-5
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…and made of human flesh. Did we forget to mention Rennie is a serial killer who simply wants to be a fashion designer instead? Stupid, pesky, murderous urges!
144 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2025
5 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
September 19, 2025
Recommend-O-Meter: For those who support women’s rights AND wrongs
Listen. It’s exactly what it says on the tin. Very dead-dove-do-not-eat, so viewer discretion has to be advised if you’re not into the idea of seeing a murderous woman using human skins for fashion. And the art is done very well, which is to say it’s graphic. Super graphic. Gory as hell in the best way possible, and I totally ate it all up. I’ll concede that the story itself is pretty basic, but that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining!
Rennie, our resident serial killer, is just so fun. She literally bathes in the blood of her enemies and honestly? Good for her. Even before fashion school, she was already into the whole killing thing, and it’s never really explained. Like, that’s just who she is. Fair enough, I’d say. And anyway, I fully believe most of them had it coming.
Also, fashion school brings her Sofie, a bubbly new friend who brings Rennie’s emo self out of her shell, and I absolutely adored their relationship. I gotta say, I do feel incredibly queerbaited though LMAO. Mild out of context spoiler alert but Sofie literally says they should be “more than best friends” and. Guys. She meant business partners. I’m dying. Rest in peace, my LGBT dreams.
[I received an ARC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
Listen. It’s exactly what it says on the tin. Very dead-dove-do-not-eat, so viewer discretion has to be advised if you’re not into the idea of seeing a murderous woman using human skins for fashion. And the art is done very well, which is to say it’s graphic. Super graphic. Gory as hell in the best way possible, and I totally ate it all up. I’ll concede that the story itself is pretty basic, but that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining!
Rennie, our resident serial killer, is just so fun. She literally bathes in the blood of her enemies and honestly? Good for her. Even before fashion school, she was already into the whole killing thing, and it’s never really explained. Like, that’s just who she is. Fair enough, I’d say. And anyway, I fully believe most of them had it coming.
Also, fashion school brings her Sofie, a bubbly new friend who brings Rennie’s emo self out of her shell, and I absolutely adored their relationship. I gotta say, I do feel incredibly queerbaited though LMAO. Mild out of context spoiler alert but Sofie literally says they should be “more than best friends” and. Guys. She meant business partners. I’m dying. Rest in peace, my LGBT dreams.
[I received an ARC of this book from the publisher on NetGalley. This does not in any way affect the contents of my review.]
January 16, 2026
A girl with strong homicidal tendencies and urges, who has a past of giving in to them and viciously murdering “bad” people, decides she wants to quit killing and try to focus on her new dream of becoming a fashion designer, a dream she got into due to her habit of making clothes out of the skin of her victims. She joins a prestigious fashion school to chase this new dream but finds that the environment and people around her make it hard for her to quit her old habits.
This was a very cool premise for a book, and the art here is very nice, perfectly fitting the dark comedic tone of the series. If only it had some decent writing, interesting character development, or even just a properly fleshed-out story, it might have hit the spot a lot better. The characters here sometimes behave in inexplicable ways, and the lead has no backstory, so she’s not even that relatable. This could have gone so much better if it had been properly executed, but it’s worth the read for the art, and also the fashion and clothing references and designs.
Big Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eArc.
This was a very cool premise for a book, and the art here is very nice, perfectly fitting the dark comedic tone of the series. If only it had some decent writing, interesting character development, or even just a properly fleshed-out story, it might have hit the spot a lot better. The characters here sometimes behave in inexplicable ways, and the lead has no backstory, so she’s not even that relatable. This could have gone so much better if it had been properly executed, but it’s worth the read for the art, and also the fashion and clothing references and designs.
Big Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eArc.
August 27, 2025
Horror/comedy graphic novel
Dark comedy , quirky, gory
The plot was balanced, a bit Dexterish, and very quick and easy to get through. Not really for squeamish, "needs trigger warning" types. Loved the artwork!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Dark comedy , quirky, gory
The plot was balanced, a bit Dexterish, and very quick and easy to get through. Not really for squeamish, "needs trigger warning" types. Loved the artwork!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 18, 2025
I really wanted to like this. And I mean... reeeeeally wanted to like this. I don't understand the setting being in a fashion school if there's only going to be one instance of clothes being made. The fact that two men wrote this is glaringly obvious.
Not only does the main character come off as an edge-lord, but she has a very weird "not like other girls" sort of energy. We're also told the FMC has a "compulsion" to kill people. Had she been given something complex like OCD, maybe her personality could've been elaborated on better & more interesting.
The art style could've been better. When I saw the first couple of pages, her chin vs her mouth to hairline ratio astounded me. It reminds me of a very specific style used in old gay manga LOL. Don't even get me started on the conversations surrounding food. "Is it a cheat day? Do you starve yourself? Vomit? Are you one of those girls that can eat anything?" Do men think that women genuinely talk to each other like this? Especially during their first meetings?
I think this concept could've been great had more care gone into it. None of the plot lines made that much sense to me. She's a serial killer—hates people, somehow becomes friends with one girl immediately, and then their teacher ends up sex-trafficking said friend... like what? Did the writer pick out random plot sequences from a top hat? Usually I'm not so snarky in reviews, especially ones where I was so generously given a piece of media for free, but man... C'mon!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!
Not only does the main character come off as an edge-lord, but she has a very weird "not like other girls" sort of energy. We're also told the FMC has a "compulsion" to kill people. Had she been given something complex like OCD, maybe her personality could've been elaborated on better & more interesting.
The art style could've been better. When I saw the first couple of pages, her chin vs her mouth to hairline ratio astounded me. It reminds me of a very specific style used in old gay manga LOL. Don't even get me started on the conversations surrounding food. "Is it a cheat day? Do you starve yourself? Vomit? Are you one of those girls that can eat anything?" Do men think that women genuinely talk to each other like this? Especially during their first meetings?
I think this concept could've been great had more care gone into it. None of the plot lines made that much sense to me. She's a serial killer—hates people, somehow becomes friends with one girl immediately, and then their teacher ends up sex-trafficking said friend... like what? Did the writer pick out random plot sequences from a top hat? Usually I'm not so snarky in reviews, especially ones where I was so generously given a piece of media for free, but man... C'mon!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!
October 16, 2025
I had so much fun with this! Bloody, gory, and fashion-forward, with lovable characters and seriously stunning art. The only thing that held it back for me was the ending; without spoilers, I found it plausible, but not necessarily believable. I guess there were a few early hints, but I wished more time had been spent laying the groundwork, cultivating an atmosphere of distrust (I won't say in who!), etc. A few small additions could have made it feel more like a well set-up twist, and less like a last-minute pivot.
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2025
Fun and brutal; a great entry into the world of horrifying graphic novels! Hope to see more of a backstory about Rennie! The art was detailed, sharp, and gruesome.
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors and illustrators, and Image Comics for a copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the authors and illustrators, and Image Comics for a copy.
September 11, 2025
The fashion school setting was really cool and I really liked the art style. The friendship aspect was nice to read through. Unfortunately, the story was severely lacking for me. It didn’t feel fleshed out at all. We don’t have much information about Rennie and her “quirks”. The fashion aspect didn’t even feel like it needed to be part of a story. It could’ve been done in any other setting. Closer to the end it felt like the story went all over the place
November 14, 2025
⭐️✨
The title and cover art, of course, immediately caught my attention, and I was initially excited to see this bizarre premise unfold. A young, college-aged girl who is already a prolific serial killer, trying to be a normal fashion school student while fighting the urge to turn those who annoy her into clothing? Sign me up!
Sadly, I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped I would. Like many other reviewers, I felt that the plot needed to be fleshed out more, and despite the extreme actions taken by our protagonist, Rennie, she never really faces any consequences. While fashion is meant to be integral to the plot and to Rennie’s character, it has very little effect on the narrative, and we see very few pieces of clothing—either normal or macabre. It honestly felt like the creators themselves weren’t that interested in fashion and glossed over it as a result.
Ultimately, my biggest issue with this comic is the portrayal of women. While this is clearly meant to be a woman-focused narrative with a “strong female protagonist,” we instead get stereotypes of women that feel more outdated than ever—the dark, mysterious woman who’s “not like other girls,” the blonde, wealthy mean girl, the sweet, ditzy girl who frequently uses the phrase “cheat day” while eating, etc. This is such a superficial portrait of women, I knew immediately that this comic was written and drawn by men.
Again, this story has a ton of potential. In the handful of moments where we actually get to see Rennie use her “killer” fashion designer skills, the premise and art really pop. Those moments were just too few and far between.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The title and cover art, of course, immediately caught my attention, and I was initially excited to see this bizarre premise unfold. A young, college-aged girl who is already a prolific serial killer, trying to be a normal fashion school student while fighting the urge to turn those who annoy her into clothing? Sign me up!
Sadly, I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped I would. Like many other reviewers, I felt that the plot needed to be fleshed out more, and despite the extreme actions taken by our protagonist, Rennie, she never really faces any consequences. While fashion is meant to be integral to the plot and to Rennie’s character, it has very little effect on the narrative, and we see very few pieces of clothing—either normal or macabre. It honestly felt like the creators themselves weren’t that interested in fashion and glossed over it as a result.
Ultimately, my biggest issue with this comic is the portrayal of women. While this is clearly meant to be a woman-focused narrative with a “strong female protagonist,” we instead get stereotypes of women that feel more outdated than ever—the dark, mysterious woman who’s “not like other girls,” the blonde, wealthy mean girl, the sweet, ditzy girl who frequently uses the phrase “cheat day” while eating, etc. This is such a superficial portrait of women, I knew immediately that this comic was written and drawn by men.
Again, this story has a ton of potential. In the handful of moments where we actually get to see Rennie use her “killer” fashion designer skills, the premise and art really pop. Those moments were just too few and far between.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 23, 2025
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a wild ride from start to finish because it is a gruesome and darkly comedic story that blends high fashion with high body counts.
The plot follows Rennie Bethary, a talented and homicidal fashion design student who uses human skin to create her unique designs. Rennie arrives at a prestigious New York fashion school determined to leave her bloody past behind, but the cutthroat world of fashion, filled with backstabbing rivals and corrupt faculty, proves too tempting. The book is an intense and brutal affair, with some truly sick and inventive kills that will satisfy any gorehound.
Despite her deadly hobby, Rennie is a captivating protagonist a crazy bitch who is also somehow wonderfully charming. You find yourself rooting for her as she navigates the ridiculous demands of her program and the cruel people around her. The book's pacing is impeccable, maintaining a constant level of suspense and dark humor that keeps the pages turning.
Fans of Wagner and Hillyard's previous collaboration, Plastic, will feel right at home here. Both series share a similar brand of over-the-top, bloody, and darkly humorous storytelling that elevates the genre. While the twist at the end may be predictable, the journey there is so much fun that it hardly matters.
Overall, I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a brilliant blend of comedy and horror, proving that a little bit of suspended disbelief can lead to a lot of entertainment. A strong 4 out of 5.
The plot follows Rennie Bethary, a talented and homicidal fashion design student who uses human skin to create her unique designs. Rennie arrives at a prestigious New York fashion school determined to leave her bloody past behind, but the cutthroat world of fashion, filled with backstabbing rivals and corrupt faculty, proves too tempting. The book is an intense and brutal affair, with some truly sick and inventive kills that will satisfy any gorehound.
Despite her deadly hobby, Rennie is a captivating protagonist a crazy bitch who is also somehow wonderfully charming. You find yourself rooting for her as she navigates the ridiculous demands of her program and the cruel people around her. The book's pacing is impeccable, maintaining a constant level of suspense and dark humor that keeps the pages turning.
Fans of Wagner and Hillyard's previous collaboration, Plastic, will feel right at home here. Both series share a similar brand of over-the-top, bloody, and darkly humorous storytelling that elevates the genre. While the twist at the end may be predictable, the journey there is so much fun that it hardly matters.
Overall, I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a brilliant blend of comedy and horror, proving that a little bit of suspended disbelief can lead to a lot of entertainment. A strong 4 out of 5.
January 1, 2026
ARC
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is told in 5 parts following Rennie, a new student and a bit of a recluse, and her extra-curricular activities: including but not limited to murder, bathing in blood and making outfits out of her victims. Delicious. I don't read a lot of graphic novels but I rally enjoyed this art style. The contrast between Rennie and her classmates was really impactful and I LOVED the action scenes.
Rennie and newest (and only) friend Sofie have a great connection and I related to how Rennie battled with coming out of her shell and staying where she felt comfortable. This fashion school also includes the resident mean girls and struggling artists. It's not the focus of the story but there is a little exploration of friendships and how fragile they are for young people. My favourite thing about it was I had no idea where it was going, and while it wrapped up quickly, it let me satisfied.
BONUS: some really satisfying kills!
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is told in 5 parts following Rennie, a new student and a bit of a recluse, and her extra-curricular activities: including but not limited to murder, bathing in blood and making outfits out of her victims. Delicious. I don't read a lot of graphic novels but I rally enjoyed this art style. The contrast between Rennie and her classmates was really impactful and I LOVED the action scenes.
Rennie and newest (and only) friend Sofie have a great connection and I related to how Rennie battled with coming out of her shell and staying where she felt comfortable. This fashion school also includes the resident mean girls and struggling artists. It's not the focus of the story but there is a little exploration of friendships and how fragile they are for young people. My favourite thing about it was I had no idea where it was going, and while it wrapped up quickly, it let me satisfied.
BONUS: some really satisfying kills!
August 29, 2025
2.5⭐
This was fine...
Tbh, I wasn't a huge fan of the art style from the jump. It was a bit too superhero comic-y for my tastes. I love the idea of a serial killer / fashion designer, but I would have loved for us to delve more into the fashion aspect of it all. We saw her sewing and occasionally sketch things, but none of it felt like the author or illustrator were particularly interested in that aspect of the story - and then I wonder why they made her a fashion designer in the first place.
This story had major potential. I just wish it wasn't created by two white men.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was fine...
Tbh, I wasn't a huge fan of the art style from the jump. It was a bit too superhero comic-y for my tastes. I love the idea of a serial killer / fashion designer, but I would have loved for us to delve more into the fashion aspect of it all. We saw her sewing and occasionally sketch things, but none of it felt like the author or illustrator were particularly interested in that aspect of the story - and then I wonder why they made her a fashion designer in the first place.
This story had major potential. I just wish it wasn't created by two white men.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!
September 4, 2025
huh?? 🤨 in which world are we living in to consider serial killing simple?
Sophie reaction is very sloppy. 😑
thank you netgalley for providing me e-arc.
Sophie reaction is very sloppy. 😑
thank you netgalley for providing me e-arc.
September 28, 2025
This was a very strange book, where a serial killer finds a true friend. It was an entertaining read, although very strange. Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me early access.
November 3, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Reading I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer was… interesting. It is graphic (obvsly) and full of gore, which honestly isn’t surprising, considering the title. We have Rennie, an aspiring professional designer whose work immediately grabs the attention of her classmates and professors. Of course, there’s a reason for that: her designs are cool yes, but they are also made from… well, human parts... Yes, she’s a serial killer, and somehow in the context of the story, it actually makes sense (not me trying to justify this lol).
I liked several characters, not just the main one. Some of the side characters engaging, and even the antagonists had interesting roles. However, I do feel that certain parts of the plot fell a bit flat. Especially near the end, everything started to feel rushed, like the story suddenly went: Okay… we need to finish this… go go go.
Overall, it’s a bold and strange story, definitely not for everyone, but cool in its own way.
Reading I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer was… interesting. It is graphic (obvsly) and full of gore, which honestly isn’t surprising, considering the title. We have Rennie, an aspiring professional designer whose work immediately grabs the attention of her classmates and professors. Of course, there’s a reason for that: her designs are cool yes, but they are also made from… well, human parts... Yes, she’s a serial killer, and somehow in the context of the story, it actually makes sense (not me trying to justify this lol).
I liked several characters, not just the main one. Some of the side characters engaging, and even the antagonists had interesting roles. However, I do feel that certain parts of the plot fell a bit flat. Especially near the end, everything started to feel rushed, like the story suddenly went: Okay… we need to finish this… go go go.
Overall, it’s a bold and strange story, definitely not for everyone, but cool in its own way.
Read
August 14, 2025I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer: it's a longer title than Wagner and Hillyard's previous collaborations Plastic, Vinyl and Plush combined. Hell, even if you take it down to initials it's still longer than two of them individually. It's also a slightly easier pitch, especially compared to the cannibal furries in Plush (who were not the villains), but for me it very much stays on the right side of the porous line between increasing accessibility and selling out. The pair's black humour and gleeful goriness is unimpinged, and as protagonist Rennie slays her way through snobbish mean girl coursemates, frat bros, and other deserving cases, there's the simple joy, so rare nowadays, of seeing bad people get what's coming to them. I kept worrying we'd lose the story's focus with some seen-it-all-before game of cat and mouse, but when there is eventually a wrinkle, it's a little less hackneyed, nicely tying up the theme of finally finding a friend who gets you as well as offering a spectacular, hilarious action climax. Really, my only complaint is a pretty niche one. Commendably, Rennie does her best not to waste the wasters she kills, using their blood for a bit of the old Bathory skincare routine and their skin in the clothes she makes. But, a couple of weeks ago, I went to a talk by someone who, for entirely non-serial killer reasons, honest, had human leather to display (specifically, her own), and I don't think the jacket here could be the colour it is without the original wearer's tattoo being a lot more obscured than it's shown here. Still, that aside, excellent work.
(Edelweiss ARC)
(Edelweiss ARC)
December 27, 2025
This was a quick but enjoyable horror graphic novel read! I liked the art style of the novel and the storyline was interesting. I wasn’t too invested in the characters, you don’t really get much background regarding any of them but I didn’t mind them. I wish some more context was given to certain plot points or characters but otherwise this book just really focuses on the deaths. They feel a bit cartoony but I liked them, the gore was graphic but it didn’t feel over done. I would have liked to see more been done with the kills, I like Rennie’s style/what she does after kills but I would have liked to have seen more outfits (if you know what I mean). Overall, This is definitely a book where you would have to suspend your disbelief/not take it too seriously. It was still a fun time though and I enjoyed the gore and horror elements! Thank you to the publisher for my complimentary review copy.
September 9, 2025
My Selling Pitch:
Promising Young Woman X Project Runway
Pre-reading:
Hannibal ruined me, and I love camp.
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Is he also a killer?
Took me a second to realize those were scissors.
The detail in the drawings! I love how he draws weight in fabric and hair. The color palette is really lovely too.
The pacing to the skinned man reveal was so good!
Them tipping her zero dollars on not DoorDash is so real.
Good for her.
I think the pink sketch is the best one.
Did not have prof sold her into human trafficking on the bingo board omg.
I wish she was in a cooler outfit. I don’t like this design. It seems a bit like appropriation, no?
Post-reading:
A lovely first entry! I can’t wait to hear her backstory or learn how she disposes of all the bodies. You have to suspend some disbelief for this. I don’t think anyone buys that a twenty-something girl is bringing a necklace to a gunfight and winning, but I think if you're picking up fashion school murder, you're down to clown. The art is really pretty. I love how he draws weight to fabric and hair. I didn't like her submitted design. I think that could've been tweaked. I think my only real complaint is that it isn't longer. Will definitely pick up the next collection.
Who should read this:
Campy horror fans
Hannibal fans
Dexter fans
Good for her fans
Ideal reading time:
Halloween
Do I want to reread this:
Yup
Would I buy this:
Yup
Similar books:
* Artificial by Maria Llovet-dystopian horror graphic novel, career in fashion
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall-YA horror graphic novel, good for her
* Killing Stalking by Koogi-horror graphic novel
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Promising Young Woman X Project Runway
Pre-reading:
Hannibal ruined me, and I love camp.
(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
Is he also a killer?
Took me a second to realize those were scissors.
The detail in the drawings! I love how he draws weight in fabric and hair. The color palette is really lovely too.
The pacing to the skinned man reveal was so good!
Them tipping her zero dollars on not DoorDash is so real.
Good for her.
I think the pink sketch is the best one.
Did not have prof sold her into human trafficking on the bingo board omg.
I wish she was in a cooler outfit. I don’t like this design. It seems a bit like appropriation, no?
Post-reading:
A lovely first entry! I can’t wait to hear her backstory or learn how she disposes of all the bodies. You have to suspend some disbelief for this. I don’t think anyone buys that a twenty-something girl is bringing a necklace to a gunfight and winning, but I think if you're picking up fashion school murder, you're down to clown. The art is really pretty. I love how he draws weight to fabric and hair. I didn't like her submitted design. I think that could've been tweaked. I think my only real complaint is that it isn't longer. Will definitely pick up the next collection.
Who should read this:
Campy horror fans
Hannibal fans
Dexter fans
Good for her fans
Ideal reading time:
Halloween
Do I want to reread this:
Yup
Would I buy this:
Yup
Similar books:
* Artificial by Maria Llovet-dystopian horror graphic novel, career in fashion
* Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall-YA horror graphic novel, good for her
* Killing Stalking by Koogi-horror graphic novel
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2025
Okay, I really enjoyed this one! It's a fun and gruesome story about a young fashion design student that uses some unique materials. It was fun, gorey and the storyline was pretty entertaining as well. The characters were deep enough to stay interesting, and the side-stories added just enough spice to the whole thing. It has just enough funny moments to keep the story somewhat light hearted, while it is about a serial killer!
Rennie is just such a fun character! I loved her to bits.
Minus one star for the graphic design, though. Red text on a dark grey background was a very poor decision, because it is barely readable and gave me a headache. If they changed that, I would have rated it five stars. But I couldn't get over that design choice, it was hurting my eyes.
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a fun dark comedy mixed with horror. An entertaining read for sure! If you're a fan of movies like Saw or a Splatterpunk enjoyer, like me, then you might like this little graphic novel as well!
I wouldn't mind getting more volumes, though. It was very entertaining and I would love to continue reading about Rennie's story.
Disclaimer:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Rennie is just such a fun character! I loved her to bits.
Minus one star for the graphic design, though. Red text on a dark grey background was a very poor decision, because it is barely readable and gave me a headache. If they changed that, I would have rated it five stars. But I couldn't get over that design choice, it was hurting my eyes.
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a fun dark comedy mixed with horror. An entertaining read for sure! If you're a fan of movies like Saw or a Splatterpunk enjoyer, like me, then you might like this little graphic novel as well!
I wouldn't mind getting more volumes, though. It was very entertaining and I would love to continue reading about Rennie's story.
Disclaimer:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
September 6, 2025
Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
This was fun! You rarely see female serial killers in fiction, so I was really excited to dive in to this one. I really liked seeing Rennie's character development throughout the story. She was a cold loner to begin with, but she became a warm friend by the end of things. Of course, this all happened in between the vicious murders she kept committing. I liked that each kill served a purpose. She wasn't just killing for the fun of it, but because there was a reason behind it.
I only wish that there was a bit more fashion included in the story. I was expecting her to wear her victims, but really all we saw her do was bathe in their blood. I found it a bit odd that Rennie's passion for fashion and murder didn't overlap a little more.
This was fun! You rarely see female serial killers in fiction, so I was really excited to dive in to this one. I really liked seeing Rennie's character development throughout the story. She was a cold loner to begin with, but she became a warm friend by the end of things. Of course, this all happened in between the vicious murders she kept committing. I liked that each kill served a purpose. She wasn't just killing for the fun of it, but because there was a reason behind it.
I only wish that there was a bit more fashion included in the story. I was expecting her to wear her victims, but really all we saw her do was bathe in their blood. I found it a bit odd that Rennie's passion for fashion and murder didn't overlap a little more.
November 5, 2025
Rennie Bethary is a fashion designer with mad skills, born mostly out of her ability to use human skin to make amazing designs. Where does she get skin? She's a serial killer looking to change her ways, but people just won't stop provoking her.
The idea sounds fun and brilliant, but the execution left much to be desired. The plot is rushed and left me with more questions than answers. The art is good and has some great spreads, but it relies heavily on shock and gore.
I get that Rennie's victims are mostly bad people who deserve karma, but the fact that she just goes around doing what she does with zero consequences just doesn't feel right.
In the end, this book wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the read.
The idea sounds fun and brilliant, but the execution left much to be desired. The plot is rushed and left me with more questions than answers. The art is good and has some great spreads, but it relies heavily on shock and gore.
I get that Rennie's victims are mostly bad people who deserve karma, but the fact that she just goes around doing what she does with zero consequences just doesn't feel right.
In the end, this book wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for the read.
September 2, 2025
Genre: horror, black comedy, thriller, graphic novel
Trigger Warnings: gore, violence, mentions of sexual assault, bullying
If you liked: American Psycho and The Devils Wears Prada
Rating: 3 Stars
Trigger Warnings: gore, violence, mentions of sexual assault, bullying
If you liked: American Psycho and The Devils Wears Prada
Rating: 3 Stars
if you bottled up elizabeth bathory and hannibal and threw them into fashion school. a dark horror comedy with rich artwork. the storyline itself isn't revolutionary and has been done about a billion times before this and will be done a billion times after it, but it was a quick read that was entertaining enough to keep you going.
September 5, 2025
Delightful, Deranged, and Dangerously Fashionable!
This graphic novel contains so much for readers! It’s delightful with stories of friendship and belonging that are at times, tender and sweet. It’s also quite deranged. It features acts of shocking violence but they are balanced with horror elements that kept me hooked on the story. Additionally, this story is about a fashion school student, and the fashion was a fun element that felt contemporary. The illustrations brought to life a genuinely fun story that I loved and I know readers of all ages are going to love!
This graphic novel contains so much for readers! It’s delightful with stories of friendship and belonging that are at times, tender and sweet. It’s also quite deranged. It features acts of shocking violence but they are balanced with horror elements that kept me hooked on the story. Additionally, this story is about a fashion school student, and the fashion was a fun element that felt contemporary. The illustrations brought to life a genuinely fun story that I loved and I know readers of all ages are going to love!
October 1, 2025
thank u image comics for the arc !
this was so wild and absurd but also undoubtedly so fun. i think the beauty in a comic like this is how ridiculous it is. did i use any critical thinking? no. is any of it realistic? no. but did i have a good time? yes!! i think my only complaint would be that i didn’t necessarily love the last volume, but other than that i think this was a silly good read!
this was so wild and absurd but also undoubtedly so fun. i think the beauty in a comic like this is how ridiculous it is. did i use any critical thinking? no. is any of it realistic? no. but did i have a good time? yes!! i think my only complaint would be that i didn’t necessarily love the last volume, but other than that i think this was a silly good read!
September 4, 2025
First of all thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This was a wild ride, with super gory illustrations but at the same time with lots of humor. Who thought that a fashion school student could be a serial killer?
It's not out of the blue, it has a purpose, that is creepy , really creepy but I love it!
Would like to see it in an animated version 😊
This was a wild ride, with super gory illustrations but at the same time with lots of humor. Who thought that a fashion school student could be a serial killer?
It's not out of the blue, it has a purpose, that is creepy , really creepy but I love it!
Would like to see it in an animated version 😊
December 29, 2025
If you love Wednesday and Eden.. you need Rennie and Sophie in your life. 🖤🩷 This book was PERFECTLY executed;) and so gorgeous. ⚙️✂️🧥🪡❤️🛀🏻🧸 No notes, so satisfying, this is my cup of teaaaa my type on paper 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻😍😍😍
October 5, 2025
I loved the idea of this. It’s a new and interesting concept. Loved the storyline, loved the characters, loved the artwork.
August 31, 2025
ARC Provided by NetGalley.
To be completely honest and truthful I had read the first few issues of this comic series but hadn't had a chance to read all of them yet prior to picking this up on NetGalley. And given the highly inconsistent way that my library acquired comics I thought this was a great opportunity to both give the first few volumes a reread and finish up the series.
Initially what caught my eye for this one was the title, because that is just interesting. I wanted to know more, and in the first few pages we get a sense of what we are dealing with and its a lot of brutal fun. This story is very Dexter in nature with all the blood but also a bit Hannibal in regards to the rationale and dynamic our mc has towards others.
The art is very gripping, all the skinned people that pop up in the corners of frames juxtaposed to the mc doing something else is very visually interesting.
I do have to dock this one some story points because from what would be issue 4 and into 5 it feels a bit rushed and like we escalated things way too much. I won’t go into specifics but I think 6 issues instead of 5 would have done great things for this one.
I’d recommend picking this one up for a fun murderous gory time if you are ok with the story falling off a bit near the end.
To be completely honest and truthful I had read the first few issues of this comic series but hadn't had a chance to read all of them yet prior to picking this up on NetGalley. And given the highly inconsistent way that my library acquired comics I thought this was a great opportunity to both give the first few volumes a reread and finish up the series.
Initially what caught my eye for this one was the title, because that is just interesting. I wanted to know more, and in the first few pages we get a sense of what we are dealing with and its a lot of brutal fun. This story is very Dexter in nature with all the blood but also a bit Hannibal in regards to the rationale and dynamic our mc has towards others.
The art is very gripping, all the skinned people that pop up in the corners of frames juxtaposed to the mc doing something else is very visually interesting.
I do have to dock this one some story points because from what would be issue 4 and into 5 it feels a bit rushed and like we escalated things way too much. I won’t go into specifics but I think 6 issues instead of 5 would have done great things for this one.
I’d recommend picking this one up for a fun murderous gory time if you are ok with the story falling off a bit near the end.
December 26, 2025
A title such as
I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer
is enough to draw in any reader of horror comics and the series lives up to the title in ways that I didn't expect. Doug Wagner crafts a tale that is eerie, thrilling, and horrifying while Daniel Hillyard visualizes the story with stellar artwork.
Rennie Bethary has just been accepted into New York City's most prestigious fashion school. Her designs are daring, edgy, and singular... and made of human flesh. Did we forget to mention Rennie is a serial killer who simply wants to be a fashion designer instead? Stupid, pesky, murderous urges!
Wagner wonderfully combines his talent for crafting unconventional stories with a unique backdrop in I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer. This serial killer tale set within the walls of the New York Fashion and Design Institute, a setting unlike anything I’ve encountered before in such a story. I mean a fashion designer who likes to skins their victims and makes unique clothing, come on. Wagner’s writing is stellar and wonderfully paced. The distinctive location brings a whole another level to this type of story, delivering exactly the kind of gripping tale I crave.
The character development was on point. Not only does Ronnie wrestle with her desire to fit in, but she also grapples with the darker urge to kill. Rennie is someone I couldn't wait to explore further and uncover how she manages to kill while remaining undetected as the series progressed. Wagner also gives us supporting characters we can’t help but find both captivating and frustrating.
Hillyard's artwork perfectly complements Wagner's script. The panels are balanced, offering just enough detail to propel the story forward without overwhelming the page. The character designs, especially Rennie, feel exactly as these characters should look. Personally, if this story were adapted into a film or for tv, I could easily imagine Rachel Brosnahan as Rennie due to the striking resemblance in my mind.
I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer delivers exactly what I was need in the moment, a fresh setting combined with a chilling tale of a serial killer. Doug Wagner wonderfully pens a great script, while Daniel Hillyard's artwork compliments the story well. Together, they bring a breath of fresh air to an otherwise saturated genre.
The collected edition of I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is available at local comic shops and bookstores everywhere from Image Comics.
Rennie Bethary has just been accepted into New York City's most prestigious fashion school. Her designs are daring, edgy, and singular... and made of human flesh. Did we forget to mention Rennie is a serial killer who simply wants to be a fashion designer instead? Stupid, pesky, murderous urges!
Wagner wonderfully combines his talent for crafting unconventional stories with a unique backdrop in I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer. This serial killer tale set within the walls of the New York Fashion and Design Institute, a setting unlike anything I’ve encountered before in such a story. I mean a fashion designer who likes to skins their victims and makes unique clothing, come on. Wagner’s writing is stellar and wonderfully paced. The distinctive location brings a whole another level to this type of story, delivering exactly the kind of gripping tale I crave.
The character development was on point. Not only does Ronnie wrestle with her desire to fit in, but she also grapples with the darker urge to kill. Rennie is someone I couldn't wait to explore further and uncover how she manages to kill while remaining undetected as the series progressed. Wagner also gives us supporting characters we can’t help but find both captivating and frustrating.
Hillyard's artwork perfectly complements Wagner's script. The panels are balanced, offering just enough detail to propel the story forward without overwhelming the page. The character designs, especially Rennie, feel exactly as these characters should look. Personally, if this story were adapted into a film or for tv, I could easily imagine Rachel Brosnahan as Rennie due to the striking resemblance in my mind.
I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer delivers exactly what I was need in the moment, a fresh setting combined with a chilling tale of a serial killer. Doug Wagner wonderfully pens a great script, while Daniel Hillyard's artwork compliments the story well. Together, they bring a breath of fresh air to an otherwise saturated genre.
The collected edition of I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is available at local comic shops and bookstores everywhere from Image Comics.
September 26, 2025
Disclosure: I received an advance review copy of *I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer* from Image Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings: gore, murder, blood, bullying
Doug Wagner’s I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a bold, twisted, and surprisingly heartfelt blend of horror comic and revenge story. As someone who has always loved horror comics and especially vengeance tales that turn the tables on bullies, this was an instant hit for me. Rennie Bethary is an unforgettable protagonist, both sympathetic and terrifying, and her stitched-together world of fashion and blood is morbidly captivating. The collaboration with artist Daniel Hillyard is seamless, with panel work and dialogue that flow effortlessly, keeping the pace tight and the story razor-sharp.
What stood out most to me was how Rennie, an outcast who refuses to be victimized, becomes strangely relatable. Cold and aloof at first, she forms an unlikely friendship with Sofie, a genuinely warm presence, which adds a layer of humanity to her otherwise murderous existence. Thematically, the comic balances outsider identity, female rage, and the costs of ambition, all against the backdrop of a cutthroat fashion school. According to a Forbes feature, Wagner drew inspiration from Elizabeth Bathory as well as fashion history and reality shows, which only deepens the book’s rich sense of style and macabre detail. I especially loved the morbid couture woven throughout: garments fashioned from human skin that become symbols of both horror and empowerment.
The dialogue sparkles with wit, and the illustrations heighten both character expression and gruesome tension. This is a comic that keeps you on the edge of your seat while also reveling in dark humor and clever visual storytelling. While violent and bloody, it is also oddly fun, a vengeful ride that comic book lovers and fellow outcasts will savor.
Trigger Warnings: gore, murder, blood, bullying
Doug Wagner’s I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer is a bold, twisted, and surprisingly heartfelt blend of horror comic and revenge story. As someone who has always loved horror comics and especially vengeance tales that turn the tables on bullies, this was an instant hit for me. Rennie Bethary is an unforgettable protagonist, both sympathetic and terrifying, and her stitched-together world of fashion and blood is morbidly captivating. The collaboration with artist Daniel Hillyard is seamless, with panel work and dialogue that flow effortlessly, keeping the pace tight and the story razor-sharp.
What stood out most to me was how Rennie, an outcast who refuses to be victimized, becomes strangely relatable. Cold and aloof at first, she forms an unlikely friendship with Sofie, a genuinely warm presence, which adds a layer of humanity to her otherwise murderous existence. Thematically, the comic balances outsider identity, female rage, and the costs of ambition, all against the backdrop of a cutthroat fashion school. According to a Forbes feature, Wagner drew inspiration from Elizabeth Bathory as well as fashion history and reality shows, which only deepens the book’s rich sense of style and macabre detail. I especially loved the morbid couture woven throughout: garments fashioned from human skin that become symbols of both horror and empowerment.
The dialogue sparkles with wit, and the illustrations heighten both character expression and gruesome tension. This is a comic that keeps you on the edge of your seat while also reveling in dark humor and clever visual storytelling. While violent and bloody, it is also oddly fun, a vengeful ride that comic book lovers and fellow outcasts will savor.
August 26, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rennie Bethary is a brilliant but deeply disturbed fashion designer, newly accepted into the prestigious New York Fashion and Design Institute. Talented, neurotic, and intensely reclusive, Rennie harbors a monstrous secret: she’s a serial killer with a rare skin condition that can only be soothed by blood—specifically, blood baths.
Her victims? Stalkers, predators, and anyone who pushes her too far. Their flesh becomes fabric, their bones—accessories. Each piece she creates is a haunting work of art, stitched together from violence, vengeance, and compulsion.
A loner by nature, Rennie unexpectedly finds herself drawn into a friend group when Sofie—a warm, curious classmate—welcomes her in. For the first time, Rennie begins to feel something close to belonging. But as she juggles the pressures of fashion school, fragile new friendships, and her dark urges, a deeper horror begins to surface.
Beneath the Institute’s glittering reputation lies a far more sinister truth. Rennie uncovers that the Dean is exploiting financially vulnerable students, coercing them into silence, then selling them into international trafficking rings. And now, Sofie—her only real connection to the world—is the next target.
This time, Rennie isn't killing for her art. She’s killing to save someone she cares about.
The comic stands out with a compelling concept, strong panel composition, and striking artwork that elevates the story’s dark, stylish tone. However, the pacing feels rushed at key moments, making certain story beats feel underdeveloped or abrupt. A deeper exploration of Rennie’s backstory and internal conflict would have added emotional weight and made her arc even more impactful.
Rennie Bethary is a brilliant but deeply disturbed fashion designer, newly accepted into the prestigious New York Fashion and Design Institute. Talented, neurotic, and intensely reclusive, Rennie harbors a monstrous secret: she’s a serial killer with a rare skin condition that can only be soothed by blood—specifically, blood baths.
Her victims? Stalkers, predators, and anyone who pushes her too far. Their flesh becomes fabric, their bones—accessories. Each piece she creates is a haunting work of art, stitched together from violence, vengeance, and compulsion.
A loner by nature, Rennie unexpectedly finds herself drawn into a friend group when Sofie—a warm, curious classmate—welcomes her in. For the first time, Rennie begins to feel something close to belonging. But as she juggles the pressures of fashion school, fragile new friendships, and her dark urges, a deeper horror begins to surface.
Beneath the Institute’s glittering reputation lies a far more sinister truth. Rennie uncovers that the Dean is exploiting financially vulnerable students, coercing them into silence, then selling them into international trafficking rings. And now, Sofie—her only real connection to the world—is the next target.
This time, Rennie isn't killing for her art. She’s killing to save someone she cares about.
The comic stands out with a compelling concept, strong panel composition, and striking artwork that elevates the story’s dark, stylish tone. However, the pacing feels rushed at key moments, making certain story beats feel underdeveloped or abrupt. A deeper exploration of Rennie’s backstory and internal conflict would have added emotional weight and made her arc even more impactful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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