Show notes
The Beauty (Image Comics) vs. FX’s Adaptation: Ozempic, Body Horror, and Ryan MurphyWhat if an STD could make you the most perfect version of yourself? This week on Collecting Issues, Benjamin and Michael read The Beauty (Vol. 1, Issues #1-6), the 2016 hit by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley.We compare the original "buddy cop" police procedural comic against the new 2026 FX on Hulu adaptation produced by Ryan Murphy. From the eerily prescient social commentary on modern beauty standards (GLP-1s, Ozempic face) to the explosive consequences of the virus, we break down why this story hits harder in a post-COVID world.In This Episode We Discuss:The Elevator Pitch: Imagine a sexually transmitted disease that guarantees physical perfection for two years—before you spontaneously combust.Comic vs. TV: How the comic functions as a tight "90-minute action movie" versus the sprawling, body-horror-heavy miniseries.Cultural Prescience: Reading a 2016 comic in 2026; how The Beauty predicted the toxic positivity and division of modern weight-loss culture.The Ryan Murphy Treatment: A look at the FX adaptation’s star-studded cast (Evan Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall) and the controversial decision to use "recasting" as a plot device.Character Deep Dive: Why Detectives Vaughn and Foster work as grounded leads, and why the villainous Carves feels like a comic book archetype dropped into a gritty drama.Coming Up Next:We are reading Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez. Join us as we explore this dark, conspiratorial reimagining of J'onn J'onzz in the new DC "All In" universe.Follow the Podcast:Join the Discord and read alongRead Our SubstackFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TiktokWatch us on YoutubeIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It helps more than you know!Time Stamps:00:00 Welcome to Collecting Issues + why we're covering The Beauty (and the FX show)01:53 Spoiler warning & how to follow along (read Vol. 1, watch eps 1–2)03:04 The elevator pitch: an STD that makes you beautiful04:37 Worldbuilding: 800 days, stigma, and the ‘burn from the inside’ twist09:26 Who made this? Jeremy Haun & Jason A. Hurley origin story11:16 Publishing & rights: Image, Ignition Press, and the FX tie-in reprint14:07 Why Vol. 1 feels like a tight ‘movie’ + anthology series after issue #617:41 Pre-COVID vs post-COVID reading: stigma, Ozempic parallels, and ‘earned’ beauty28:54 Meet the cast: Vaughn & Foster, the Beauty Task Force, and the conspiracy setup30:55 Stock characters done well? Buddy-cop structure, Caris the hitman, and what works/doesn’t34:59 Caris the Masked Henchman: Grounded World vs Over-the-Top Villainy36:24 Best Scenes & Twists: The Celebrity Spokesperson Hit and Foster’s Mirror Reveal38:49 Consequences Escalate: Collateral Damage and the Air-Traffic Controller Disaster39:19 Art That Serves the Story: Same-Face Syndrome, Visual Clarity, and Comic Fundamentals40:43 Covers, Character Design & Horror: Mannequin Imagery and ‘Non-Beauty’ Markers43:48 The Cure Ending: Body Horror, Consent, and the Ethics of Forcing a ‘Solution’48:26 Cathartic Payoff: Vaughn Takes Down Caris (and Why Characters Act Smart)50:37 Netflix/FX Adaptation Talk: Ryan Murphy, Casting, and How the Show Changes the Premise01:04:36 Final Verdict & Wrap-Up: Comic vs Series, Where to Comment, and Next Book Club Pick Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
