Some years ago I found out that Albert Temple (Gene Catlow) had drawn three extra pages for the first issue of Beatrix! He felt that there was a jump in the story telling that could be filled in. The new pages (three of them) would follow immediately after the first page, in the Mu Press first issue. It follows the same page in the Vision Comics colour issue, but because of the prequel story, the new pages follow page seven.

While the pages are charming in their own right, and do throw a bit of light on a character who otherwise only appears by name, opn the whole I don't think the new material is needed. Mr. Turgedsen is himself of no importance, nor does he ever appear again. The pace of the story is slowed but advances no important information. While the transition from kitchen table to the streets is abrupt, it isn't incomprehensible, and the drive-by shooting is self-sufficient. It's seen coming, happens, and the why and wherefore is largely irrelevent. The pimp who is target and right wing vigilanties are probably explanation enough.

As far as Mr. Turgedsen goes, it is a more sympathetic treatment than I would likely have given him. In spite of that, I like it. A tough, greedy landlord would have been more stereotypical, and one who'se insatiable appetitle for your rent every month is understandable is certainly different.

The background details are every bit up to my high, persnickety standards. (Heh heh.)

But the lesson an aspiring comic writer might best come away from this is that the entire purpose of these three pages might have been accomplished by a single headline seen on a newspaper on page one of the story,