Let’s start by saying, I am so freaking excited to be back in this world. Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley return to The Beauty with a new number one issue, this time with talented artist Emanuela Lupacchino at Ignition Press. The Beauty #1 kicks off a new volume with so much more to tell.
Set in a world not unlike our own, The Beauty chronicles what happens when a new sexually transmitted disease begins to spread. Only, this is a disease that people actually want, as those who contract it are literally changed into more beautiful versions of themselves. The only hitch is a slight fever and, eventually, death. But isn’t that an easy price to pay to be gorgeous?
This new series follows several characters as they deal with the Beauty and how it has changed society around them. A thief for hire on a dangerous job, a meteorologist with plummeting ratings, and special agents specializing in Beauty-related crimes will all find their lives converging in unexpected ways. And some fan favorite characters from the original series will return, as well.
It was a tough time for me when the initial run of The Beauty wrapped up in 2019. When one of your all-time favorite comic book series comes to a close it’s always tough. So when Jeremy Haun and Ignition Press announced the return of The Beauty, you can say I was excited…but also my typical skeptical self. On one hand we get to read more from this story, but on the other it might not be nearly as good. After the premiere Ignition Press issue, I am happy to say it was not the latter.
Haun and Jason A. Hurley bring a few new characters into the mix to add to the overall tale of The Beauty. Advancing us two years after issue 30 of the initial run allows more time to have set in since the first “outbreak” of this unique sexually transmitted disease and people’s mindsets to be slightly different. However, the writing team also brings us back to the height of the story giving us more context to how we got to where we are now with these new characters. A beautiful way to incorporate both the old and the new storylines.
This new addition to The Beauty allows us to see the world from an entirely new group of people and how their worlds have been effected in positive and negative ways from this STD. We dive more into the morality of it all again, but from a new perspective. The Beauty #1 lays a great foundation of what’s to come in this new volume, a blend of crime, horror, and action that is truly something special.
Like I have said before, I am always game for artwork by Haun, as is one of the main reasons why the first volume of The Beauty is one of my favorites. However, this new volume is absolutely wonderfully illustrated by Emanuela Lupacchino. While I will always miss Haun’s interiors (don’t worry we still get covers), this is the right place to be. Lupacchino brings such talent to the table that it makes it easy to want to dive into more of this series.
It is freaking fantastic to have more of The Beauty in my life. This new volume adds so much to the already amazing storyline, while also allowing new readers to join the party. Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley bring back to life a truly original story with the help from outstanding illustrations by Emanuela Lupacchino. The Beauty is a must-read comic.
The Beauty #1 hits local comic shops on October 29, 2025 from Ignition Press. Also, check out the new series coming to FX in early 2026!
The Beauty #1 Preview
