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Beauty and the Beast: Act One
A Rose in Winter...
When her father returns from a journey bearing strange stories and stranger gifts, Beauty takes it upon herself to fulfill his debt to a mysterious creature called only "The Beast".
But neither the soft-spoken Beast or the uncanny Castle where he makes his home are what Beauty expects. Both harbour more secrets than she could have anticipated, and neither will give them up easily...
When her father returns from a journey bearing strange stories and stranger gifts, Beauty takes it upon herself to fulfill his debt to a mysterious creature called only "The Beast".
But neither the soft-spoken Beast or the uncanny Castle where he makes his home are what Beauty expects. Both harbour more secrets than she could have anticipated, and neither will give them up easily...
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2017
I found this still ongoing webcomics series that retells the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale entirely by chance, and it's been one of the best finds of the year.
Megan Kearney's retelling is a patchwork piece done with elements from various versions, most obviously the Disney film aesthetics-wise and the Villeneuve original story-wise, but with plenty of bits and pieces from other famous classic retellinngs (I seem to have spotted a bit of McKinley's version, too) and from real history and literature. I mean, it has a Beast who reads and recites Ovid's Metamorphosis! I don't think I've ever seen a characterisation of dear old Beast that was this intellectual, so bonus points for making him know Roman poets.
Maybe you've thought you noticed there's inspiration from Disney's depiction of the Beast for Kearney's take on him in the cover for Act I, and you'd be right. But it's just that: inspiration. Character-wise, Beast is so different, so sweet and good-natured that he's by far the least Beastly of Beasts I've seen. Without being a teddy bear or fluffy puff of adorableness, thank the old gods, that'd have killed the story for me. I like that the style chosen by the author, who posts each page episodically on her site, gives the narrative a suspenseful and thriller/Gothic feel, with mysteries still to be revealed for which the background is being slowly laid out on this and that page. Such fun to spot those Easter eggs and morsels of foreshadowing. I'm especially curious about the mystery of why exactly Beast was made into a Beast, and hope and pray Kearney respects the original fairy tale's given reason for the transformation, it's a critical plot point and metaphor, and I at least do judge how this particular point is handled in retellings. So far, I'm liking at what the hints are as to the reason for Beast's curse, because it's promising to be a quite atypical prince.
What about Beauty? She does resemble Belle from Disney in appearance, somewhat. But again, character-wise she's an entirely different person. I like that this Beauty is legitimately book-loving and smart (yet at the same time as impulsive and immature as to be credible for her age and to make her character evolution possible), without the artificiality of having to spoon-fed the readers/viewers with images of her reading a book as a sort of bright neon sign pointing at how Smart she is. I hate that kind of recourse, when instead of making a character show their intellectual traits by being and behaving accordingly, they use books and reading and libraries as a "costume" to wear at will. That's also what I like about this Beast, his bookishness is presented as part of his character, he quotes because those quotes convey what he means and not to impress the equally bookish girl.
Oh, and Beauty's family! Her dad is actually a loving and involved father, and she has two sisters named after qualities (Virtue and Temperance, I loved that). That's a huge departure from the usual envious bitches Beauty's siblings are usually depicted as, both in the fairy tale and in retellings. Both are good people, and have their distinct personalities that contrasts with Beauty's. Because they're older and because of character, the sisters are in some ways better adjusted, more sensible and mature than Beauty herself, who often shows her insecurities, low sense of self-worth, anxiety, hesitation, recklessness... All very welcome "flaws" to give her, in my opinion, for they make her genuine like a real adolescent, much in contrast to the cool, sensible and self-assured young girl from the fairy tale. I mean, who at that age was so perfect?
The artwork is very good as well. Quite minimalist, inky, and simple, so don't come expecting spectacular full-colour painting style illustrations. Kearney seems to be going for a style that's a mix of standard black-and-white inked American comics with Japanese manga, which I personally loved. I'd only suggest she tone down the sounds/onomatopeia (you know, SCREECH! RUMBLE! SCRATCH!) in intrusively large letters. Those are a staple of manga, and do serve a purpose in the comics here, but they do interfere with appreciating the simplicity and clarity of the art sometimes.
You can follow the story as the author updates each chapter on her Tumblr, and I encourage you to buy it in print, too. I sure will buy the print editions when I'm less broke, preferably autographed by the author if I can manage it, for this is definitely one of the best retellings to me, and I'm a hard Beauty & Beast fan to please.
Megan Kearney's retelling is a patchwork piece done with elements from various versions, most obviously the Disney film aesthetics-wise and the Villeneuve original story-wise, but with plenty of bits and pieces from other famous classic retellinngs (I seem to have spotted a bit of McKinley's version, too) and from real history and literature. I mean, it has a Beast who reads and recites Ovid's Metamorphosis! I don't think I've ever seen a characterisation of dear old Beast that was this intellectual, so bonus points for making him know Roman poets.
Maybe you've thought you noticed there's inspiration from Disney's depiction of the Beast for Kearney's take on him in the cover for Act I, and you'd be right. But it's just that: inspiration. Character-wise, Beast is so different, so sweet and good-natured that he's by far the least Beastly of Beasts I've seen. Without being a teddy bear or fluffy puff of adorableness, thank the old gods, that'd have killed the story for me. I like that the style chosen by the author, who posts each page episodically on her site, gives the narrative a suspenseful and thriller/Gothic feel, with mysteries still to be revealed for which the background is being slowly laid out on this and that page. Such fun to spot those Easter eggs and morsels of foreshadowing. I'm especially curious about the mystery of why exactly Beast was made into a Beast, and hope and pray Kearney respects the original fairy tale's given reason for the transformation, it's a critical plot point and metaphor, and I at least do judge how this particular point is handled in retellings. So far, I'm liking at what the hints are as to the reason for Beast's curse, because it's promising to be a quite atypical prince.
What about Beauty? She does resemble Belle from Disney in appearance, somewhat. But again, character-wise she's an entirely different person. I like that this Beauty is legitimately book-loving and smart (yet at the same time as impulsive and immature as to be credible for her age and to make her character evolution possible), without the artificiality of having to spoon-fed the readers/viewers with images of her reading a book as a sort of bright neon sign pointing at how Smart she is. I hate that kind of recourse, when instead of making a character show their intellectual traits by being and behaving accordingly, they use books and reading and libraries as a "costume" to wear at will. That's also what I like about this Beast, his bookishness is presented as part of his character, he quotes because those quotes convey what he means and not to impress the equally bookish girl.
Oh, and Beauty's family! Her dad is actually a loving and involved father, and she has two sisters named after qualities (Virtue and Temperance, I loved that). That's a huge departure from the usual envious bitches Beauty's siblings are usually depicted as, both in the fairy tale and in retellings. Both are good people, and have their distinct personalities that contrasts with Beauty's. Because they're older and because of character, the sisters are in some ways better adjusted, more sensible and mature than Beauty herself, who often shows her insecurities, low sense of self-worth, anxiety, hesitation, recklessness... All very welcome "flaws" to give her, in my opinion, for they make her genuine like a real adolescent, much in contrast to the cool, sensible and self-assured young girl from the fairy tale. I mean, who at that age was so perfect?
The artwork is very good as well. Quite minimalist, inky, and simple, so don't come expecting spectacular full-colour painting style illustrations. Kearney seems to be going for a style that's a mix of standard black-and-white inked American comics with Japanese manga, which I personally loved. I'd only suggest she tone down the sounds/onomatopeia (you know, SCREECH! RUMBLE! SCRATCH!) in intrusively large letters. Those are a staple of manga, and do serve a purpose in the comics here, but they do interfere with appreciating the simplicity and clarity of the art sometimes.
You can follow the story as the author updates each chapter on her Tumblr, and I encourage you to buy it in print, too. I sure will buy the print editions when I'm less broke, preferably autographed by the author if I can manage it, for this is definitely one of the best retellings to me, and I'm a hard Beauty & Beast fan to please.
February 24, 2025
I read this webcomic as it was coming out page by page years ago and it’s really wonderful to revisit it. Beautiful art, excellent use of symbolism, and a really kind yet honest take on the story. I will probably polish off the trilogy today.
January 12, 2016
Short(ish) and Sweet:
If you know me at all, you know Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, and I have a minor* obsession with it. I stumbled upon this incredible comic series by Megan Kearney here while doing research for my thesis, and I was amazed. Only glancing through her site, I noticed how unique the artwork is and how much research and love she also clearly has for the story. Though she offers her comic free on her site (it’s still ongoing), I decided to purchase the first volume which is available to buy, mainly because I love print. I LOVED her spin on the tale and the beautiful artwork, and I would recommend it for any B&tB fan.
To Elaborate…
Even if you only know the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, you can likely tell how versatile the story is and how many different angles and perspectives you can take it. If you ever read the original by Gabrielle Suzanne de Villeneuve, you’ll see that times a million. Kearney crafts her own interpretation of the tale and presents it in a gorgeous graphic novel format. The character designs are stunning, and the lines are so clean. The facial expressions add so much to the story and help the reader to tap into the real emotions of the characters.
In some retellings, Beauty’s sisters are left out of the story, and I’m so glad they are included in this one. Temperance and Virtue are interesting characters, and though their roles are minor, they are still fun to get to know. Beauty is headstrong and loving, and her determination is incredible. I especially love her dream scene and the flashbacks of her growing up.
Megan Kearney’s Beauty and the Beast is the perfect addition to the realm of Beauty and the Beast retellings. I can’t wait for the next installment of this addictive comic series.
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/...
If you know me at all, you know Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, and I have a minor* obsession with it. I stumbled upon this incredible comic series by Megan Kearney here while doing research for my thesis, and I was amazed. Only glancing through her site, I noticed how unique the artwork is and how much research and love she also clearly has for the story. Though she offers her comic free on her site (it’s still ongoing), I decided to purchase the first volume which is available to buy, mainly because I love print. I LOVED her spin on the tale and the beautiful artwork, and I would recommend it for any B&tB fan.
To Elaborate…
Even if you only know the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, you can likely tell how versatile the story is and how many different angles and perspectives you can take it. If you ever read the original by Gabrielle Suzanne de Villeneuve, you’ll see that times a million. Kearney crafts her own interpretation of the tale and presents it in a gorgeous graphic novel format. The character designs are stunning, and the lines are so clean. The facial expressions add so much to the story and help the reader to tap into the real emotions of the characters.
In some retellings, Beauty’s sisters are left out of the story, and I’m so glad they are included in this one. Temperance and Virtue are interesting characters, and though their roles are minor, they are still fun to get to know. Beauty is headstrong and loving, and her determination is incredible. I especially love her dream scene and the flashbacks of her growing up.
Megan Kearney’s Beauty and the Beast is the perfect addition to the realm of Beauty and the Beast retellings. I can’t wait for the next installment of this addictive comic series.
Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/...
September 22, 2016
I still have no idea how I found this comic, but I'm glad I did. It's just such a great retelling of Beauty and the Beast, that I'm constantly recommending it to people.
Just.
Read.
It!!!
She has such a talent in her simple, yet detailed artwork and storytelling. I cannot get enough, it's just so fantastic and I've run out of adjectives to unpack and help share my feelings.
Just go to her site or order it online and read it.
Just.
Read.
It!!!
She has such a talent in her simple, yet detailed artwork and storytelling. I cannot get enough, it's just so fantastic and I've run out of adjectives to unpack and help share my feelings.
Just go to her site or order it online and read it.
June 13, 2020
Really great art, very nice retelling of the classic fairytale. I enjoy the familiar aspects of the story, but the author also chose to, of course, weave in her own twists. The supporting characters are strong and I think the idea of magic here is really cool and... well, magical. Looking forward to seeing the end.
April 2, 2018
While I did enjoy the art and style that the story was told in, I just really felt that it was overly rushed. I will continue with Act Two to see if it provides more depth but I was just neutral to this one.
November 2, 2019
I loved this very thoughtful, very intelligent, very philosophical version of the fairy tale before I ever met Megan, and now that I count Megan among my friends (and even better, colleagues as we’re in The Secret Loves of Geek Girls together), I appreciate the nuance of her work even more.
Funny story – Hope Nicholson (Bedside Press) invited me out to something called The Comic Book Embassy’s Ladies High Tea one day. I was on my way to a screening for something else, but it sounded super awesome, so I popped in for a cuppa and some incredible chats. I cannot recommend this group of ladies enough, they are all wonderful. I spent some time talking to Megan, not knowing who she was, and then got up to go to the bathroom. As I passed her desk, I saw sketches and books laid out and … GASP. They were for that webcomic I loved!
I jammed my finger down on the book and shouted, “WAIT, THIS IS YOU?? I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE NOW! HOLD ON, I GOTTA PEE.”
Luckily, Megan has never held that against me.One of the fantastic things about this telling of the tale as old as time is that the romance aspect of the story isn’t the main focus. Yes, Beauty is pretty, but she is not an object to be manipulated or won by the Beast in order to attain his own salvation – she is not something to check off his list on the way to becoming human again, nor the prize at the bottom of his Mainpain Cereal box.
Both Beauty and Beast are inquisitive, curious, well rounded people who are trying to make the best of what they are. The allegory for the Beast as a representation of Anxiety, Bi Polar Disorder and Clinical Depression can be made, but it would be reductionist and disingenuous. Beast is a person in and of himself, and blessedly, so is Beauty.
I cannot wait to read volume two.
Funny story – Hope Nicholson (Bedside Press) invited me out to something called The Comic Book Embassy’s Ladies High Tea one day. I was on my way to a screening for something else, but it sounded super awesome, so I popped in for a cuppa and some incredible chats. I cannot recommend this group of ladies enough, they are all wonderful. I spent some time talking to Megan, not knowing who she was, and then got up to go to the bathroom. As I passed her desk, I saw sketches and books laid out and … GASP. They were for that webcomic I loved!
I jammed my finger down on the book and shouted, “WAIT, THIS IS YOU?? I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE NOW! HOLD ON, I GOTTA PEE.”
Luckily, Megan has never held that against me.One of the fantastic things about this telling of the tale as old as time is that the romance aspect of the story isn’t the main focus. Yes, Beauty is pretty, but she is not an object to be manipulated or won by the Beast in order to attain his own salvation – she is not something to check off his list on the way to becoming human again, nor the prize at the bottom of his Mainpain Cereal box.
Both Beauty and Beast are inquisitive, curious, well rounded people who are trying to make the best of what they are. The allegory for the Beast as a representation of Anxiety, Bi Polar Disorder and Clinical Depression can be made, but it would be reductionist and disingenuous. Beast is a person in and of himself, and blessedly, so is Beauty.
I cannot wait to read volume two.
December 26, 2019
My first graphic novel. Of course it was going to be Beauty and the Beast. This has always been a great story and I love reading different authors takes on it. Act 3 Chapter 5 pages 9 and 10 Beauty's mother said something most profound. "No matter how much one might wish to save someone from themselves it can't be done. (page 9) We can only love them and stand by them as we wait for them to decide whether they save themselves or not, otherwise you will both be dragged down. (page 10) No truer words ever spoken regarding a relationship, for male or female. He had to decide whether he was going to let his past demons continue holding on him and destroy the love he had found. I love a good story, but a great story you can pull truths from, that help make life, make sense. The epilogue was awesome as well, it showed him struggling with those past demons again, but it also showed her right there ever faithful. That's what counts. Great job on this story Megan.
March 5, 2021
I liked this more than I expected to; a quick read that kept me pretty engaged the whole time. Though I will say, my favorite part of the book was actually reading the afterward and learning some history. This book had more build up potential than actual meat I think, but that's mostly because we're so used to the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast as a children's tale. I think it's about to go in different directions, as was hinted at, and I'm looking forward to it.
January 6, 2020
I love fairytale adaptations and this is really as good as it comes! I followed the webcomic and am rereading through the books now. Love love love it! Especially the flower language at the beginning of the chapters. So neat
February 22, 2020
Wow, I loved this one! In so many ways, it was faithful and familiar, but there were also a huge handful of details and plots that were new and added interest to the story.
(a review for all three parts)
(a review for all three parts)
February 14, 2021
A familiar story with quite a few new aspects! The art is simple but beautiful and expressive. I can’t wait to read the next one.
June 13, 2022
This was a pretty good story.
I liked the drawings and that it was a combination of the Grimm/Disney versions with more emphasis on the Grimm. I loved Beauty and Beast and I liked her origin story. I can't wait to see what happens next so Hurry up and make Act two!
12/06/22
Reading this through for the second time and I still love it.
I found this in 2015, at Word on the Street, and was blown away by the artwork and the story. With how seamlessly she wove her own ideas and plot into a tried and true tale. How easily she turned something I knew inside and out into something brand new while still staying in the realm of both the original story and the Disney version.
It's now 2022 and you're probably wondering why I'm reading it again. Well that would be because, 7 years later, i came across this author again. And yes, it was at Word on the Street.
I was stopped dead in my tracks by a cover I recognized and not only was i surprised by Act two being out, but guess what, Act three is out too! I now get to read all three at once.
No more cliff hanger for me!
If you've managed to bear with me through this review, thank you. And pretty please find this book and read it. Read the whole series, I may not be finished yet, but i know it's worth it!
I liked the drawings and that it was a combination of the Grimm/Disney versions with more emphasis on the Grimm. I loved Beauty and Beast and I liked her origin story. I can't wait to see what happens next so Hurry up and make Act two!
12/06/22
Reading this through for the second time and I still love it.
I found this in 2015, at Word on the Street, and was blown away by the artwork and the story. With how seamlessly she wove her own ideas and plot into a tried and true tale. How easily she turned something I knew inside and out into something brand new while still staying in the realm of both the original story and the Disney version.
It's now 2022 and you're probably wondering why I'm reading it again. Well that would be because, 7 years later, i came across this author again. And yes, it was at Word on the Street.
I was stopped dead in my tracks by a cover I recognized and not only was i surprised by Act two being out, but guess what, Act three is out too! I now get to read all three at once.
No more cliff hanger for me!
If you've managed to bear with me through this review, thank you. And pretty please find this book and read it. Read the whole series, I may not be finished yet, but i know it's worth it!
September 25, 2015
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is incredible. It may be one of my favorite versions of it to date. The beginning starts out somewhat unexpectedly, since we first meet Beauty and her sisters at the return of their father from the Beast's castle with the rose. The backstory of how they lost their money and Beauty's childhood is given later, after Beauty goes to the castle.
This story must have taken a great deal of preplanning. Now that the webcomic is well into Act Two, things set up at the beginning of Act One are still coming into play and the mysteries are still being elaborated on. Is the Beast connected with the girls' vanished mother and Beauty's strange illness as a child that is hinted at in the prologue? In what way? What is the nature of the Beast's curse, exactly, and can it be broken?
An excellent beginning. Fans of the fairy tale will enjoy this take on the story immensely.
This story must have taken a great deal of preplanning. Now that the webcomic is well into Act Two, things set up at the beginning of Act One are still coming into play and the mysteries are still being elaborated on. Is the Beast connected with the girls' vanished mother and Beauty's strange illness as a child that is hinted at in the prologue? In what way? What is the nature of the Beast's curse, exactly, and can it be broken?
An excellent beginning. Fans of the fairy tale will enjoy this take on the story immensely.
December 3, 2015
Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales. This story is my favorite retelling of the fairy tale that I have encountered thus far. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast, or fairy tales in general.
September 25, 2015
This is an excellent interpretation of this classic tale. The art is beautiful and the characters will enchant you. I highly recommend reading this tale.
March 5, 2016
I ... forgot I had this one. From the Valor anthology Kickstarter. A charming adaptation of the classic tale. Enough so that I'll need to seek out more.
April 27, 2016
Sweet and beautiful! Though I read it on the author's website I loved the art and the mystery behind it!
October 17, 2016
I like the artwork for this series and I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews