The artwork alone would make this book one of my absolute favorites but the storyline combined with it shoots it right to the top of the list. This book discusses what it means to be different, the ways in which society ostracizes and vilifies the elusive 'other', and how fear of that 'other' can shape a community. When Dave's beard threatens the carefully arranged status quo of Here the citizens and the government decide something needs to be done. There's one thing that unites all the citizens of Here (besides their fastidiousness) and that's their fear of There. The main character is Dave, who works for A & C Industries - without really knowing what it does (no one seems to), But work keeps him - and his. 'Here' is comfortable if anodyne, and life is agreeable - if also simple, predictable, and rather bland. Dave may be just as clean shaven (except for that one unruly chin hair) and orderly but that all changes when his one little hair morphs into an out-of-control beard. The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins review A man's beard troubles the authorities in the excellent first book by Stephen Collins, a former winner of the Cape/Observer. The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil is a four-part graphic novel, set on the island of 'Here'. (He's a real fun guy.) He lives on an island called Here where everyone and everything is neat, tidy, and absolutely normal. It follows the story of Dave who loves drawing what's outside of his window and listening to his favorite song 'Eternal Flame' on repeat. The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that I think everyone should read.
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