Written & Illustrated by Wendy Pini
Lettering by Willie Schubert
Cover Art by Jim Warren
SUMMARY:
Released by First Publishing in 1990, this 46-page one-shot adapts the late 1980’s TV series, Beauty and the Beast, starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. Reeling from Catherine Chandler’s murder and the abduction of their infant son, a despondent Vincent seeks solace. An old friend’s suggestion leads Vincent to seek a mystical means of breaching the nebulous dream world where her restless spirit may still exist. Yet, the fate of their missing child hinges on what may Vincent’s last chance to save his beloved Catherine.
Note: First Publishing also released Beauty and the Beast: Portrait of Love.
REVIEW:
Author Wendy Pini’s storyline is perfectly attuned to the TV series’ poignant fantasy-romanticism. Though Pini’s mushy dialogue overplays Vincent’s sorrow, she makes up for it with a stellar conclusion. As for her lush artwork, its life-like quality occasionally varies. Still, Pini saves her best page for last with a lovely portrait in homage of actress Linda Hamilton’s Catherine. For fans of the TV series, one may deem “Night of Beauty” as a ‘lost’ episode, as even the series creator, Ron Koslow, indicated a desire to see Pini’s love story produced as a two-hour film.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Accompanied by a stellar head shot sketch of ‘Catherine,’ Wendi Pini divulges the behind-the scenes origin of this story, as she entitles this single page: “Reflections.” Accompanied by a sketch of Catherine & Vincent kissing, Anton Grosz provides an interesting afterword.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
