John Hughes Meets Tobe Hooper: ‘I Was A Fashion College Serial Killer’ #2 Advance Review

In I Was a Fashion College Serial Killer #2, you could be almost fooled into thinking you’re reading a comic about burgeoning college friendships. But, of course, you’d be mistaken, as writer Doug Wagner and artist Daniel Hillyard may present what seems like a typical college existence, but it’s not long until blood is spilt. And lavishly.

Rennie and Sofie are fast becoming friends. And despite herself, Rennie seems to be warming to this social interaction. She is already a standout student because of her textile choices sourced from each of her victims, and now she’s almost normal. 

Well, not quite. She is a fashion School serial killer after all.

What’s interesting in Wagner’s choice of subject for this new slasher story is in making her female. In making her female, Wagner can find inspiration from very different sources. In portraying the female experiences of college life – particularly the lows – he mines real-life horrors, such as abuse towards women, but then delivers melodramatic revenge through Rennie’s murderous desires. Like so many of Wagner and Hillyard’s previous psychos, we can’t help but root for Rennie. A woman who focuses her dark side on victims whom we can, arguably, agree deserve the vigilante justice meted out to them. Well, in the context of this series, at least. 

Hillyard continues to deliver art that slays. And with a cool colour palette from colourist Michelle Madsen, this has the feel of a John Hughes film, but directed by Tobe Hooper. And that’s fine with me.

I Was a Fashion College Serial Killer #2 is out Wednesday, 14th May, from Image Comics