Review: ‘I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer’ #5 Delivers A Killer Conclusion

I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer #5, like writer Doug Wagner and artist Daniel Hillyard’s previous revenge-motivated serial killer thrillers, once more delivers an engrossing and dramatic final chapter dripping in blood. A final issue that sees our anti-hero, Rennie, look to save her friend and take down the Dean at her fashion college and his reprobate staff. These guys make Rennie seem the most sane of the whole cast. Well, except for Rennie’s opposite-in-every-way friend, Sofie, who is in the clutches of the school staff at the start of this issue.

Part of what makes this so deliciously thrilling is some of the art choices made by Hillyard, particularly at the start of the issue, where we see Rennie, close-up in a lift before making her entrance on a double-page splash, with the effective use of a low-angle shot as she exits the elevator. No guessing who’s in charge in this situation. The odd trinkets Hillyard closes up on as she is casually dismissed by said teaching staff are a reminder of her killer ways. And it’s not too long until she goes about her business. As I noted at the start of this series, Hillyard’s upped his game when it comes to his art, and this final issue is a great showcase for his talents and those subtle changes in his style. Whether it’s the flames licking off one sucker or the minute details of a sawn-in-half brain, this guy has skills. All day long. 

I have always enjoyed Wagner and Hillyard’s darkly subversive serial killers. And I have always enjoyed the open-ended conclusions that offer up opportunities to revisit these characters, much like they did with Plastic. But what I’m really itching for now is some kind of killer crossover. After all, with several serial killers roaming around out there and in a shared universe of sorts, what could now be better than that? Doug, Daniel, are you listening, fellas?

But for now, I am happy to report that I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer is another bona fide hit with this reviewer, who likes his comics dark and not too serious. Wagner’s scripts pop with relatable dialogue, and he clearly knows how to pace a bloody revenge finale as well as deliver interesting deaths too; a gruesome ending, but with a silver lining.

 I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer #5 is out now from Image Comics.