posted on 09 Feb 2016

The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins

Beards are an issue that tends to split opinion. There are those who love facial hair - either as a fashion statement or as an expression of individuality - and those who think they are repulsive growths cultivated by those who are either too lazy to shave or have something to hide. I have always fallen into the latter category - I'm not the type who grows a luxuriant beard and so I've always seen the disfiguring scrubland that I develop over a couple of days as something to loathe.

So, for me, all beards are inherently evil and when I saw the title of this debut graphic novel by Stephen Collins, I just had to have it. Of course, this isn't really a story about beards but about the role that unbridled, uncontrolled ideas have in undermining the dead hand of order and authority. Dave, a dull man in a dull world, is, like his fellow residents of the island known as Here, hairless. Dave does, however, have a tiny stubborn little hair on his face that just wont go away until, one day, Dave's rogue hair errupts into an uncontrollable beard. In this world of dull orderliness Dave's beard is an incursion of chaos and disorder. His beard becomes a tourist attraction and starts to worry the authorities who are unhappy with the way this is getting out of hand and who order his beard to be cut and tamed. Despite all their efforts they fail and the previously well manicured lawns and hedges and parks of Here start to develop a decidedly unorthodox appearance. Ominously, those who govern the island of Here start to consider whether it's the beard that's the real problem or actually Dave himself they need to get rid of. Will Dave go down to history as a hero or a villian? You'll have to read it to find out...

The book has an almost fairy tale feel about it and what seems like an amusing conceit is in reality a dark and rather disturbing meditation on the way those in power are inherently suspicious of anyone who doesn't conform. It's a great idea on Collins' part to present this allegory in graphic novel form because the powerful, soft charcoal drawings add a real three dimensional perspective to the experience.

This book would make a great gift for the Hipster in your life - in fact I can guarantee it.

Terry Potter

February 2016