Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #1 is written and drawn by Michael Walsh. Colours are by Toni-Marie Griffin and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is also by Walsh. The book is published by Image Comics and Skybound.
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #1 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
In this first issue, Dr. Henry Frankenstein begins his unholy quest to create life by robbing the grave of a decorated police officer. But little does he know that the corpse has a son who is mourning a father—and that this young boy will forever change Frankenstein’s life.
Review
Following on from an incredible partnership which saw James Tynion IV take on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Image Comics is launching the next in their Universal Monsters line today. Frankenstein. With writer/artist Michael Walsh on board to create this new interpretation, Image and partners Skybound are hoping that lightning really can strike twice when it comes to bringing classic horror to comics.
This first issue of the four-part series movies at a brisk pace. Walsh’s unique approach to the story puts the focus on different parts of the tapestry which will become Mary Shelley’s legendary monster. Chapter one is called “The Hands of a Father” and the results of Walsh’s reimagining are surprisingly emotional. The book opens on a stylish graveyard in the twilight hour as a young boy grieves his recently deceased father. The relative peace is shattered when Fritz and Prof. Frankenstein arrive to dig up bodies for use in their lab. Unfortunately for the boy, the target of tonight’s dig is his father’s grave and so he follows the robbers back to their lab.
Walsh doesn’t aim for a gruesome rendering of the Frankenstein story. Instead it takes a more traditional approach. It heavily signposts the terrible actions of the Professor and his sidekick. But rather than depict their heinous crimes it leaves the audience to imagine the depravity and make judgement based upon it. What’s clever is it takes very little time to establish each of the key characters in the story. With everyone up and running it gives the book chance to shift point of view and explore more of the world.
The shifting POV works brilliantly when the action moves from the graveyard to the lab. Frankenstein’s like is filled with electricity and that energy translates well in to the format of the story. The pace picks up. The scope widens. It takes us to exactly where we want to go with a Frankenstein story. But as Walsh explains in the book itself, rather than simply retreading the steps of the film, it weaves inside and out of those moments. The inspirations are clean but the originality is what shines through.
There’s plenty of visual trickery to help move us around Frankenstein’s world as well. The incredible artwork transitions from the murky pink of the twilight world to an eerie green glow of the lab. The colouring, by Toni-Marie Griffin, is sumptuous. It really brings out the atmosphere in Walsh’s story. Everything about it is perfect for the world of Mary Shelley’s book. It feels like the lab is dimly lit by lanterns. Shadows creep around every corners and it just perfect evokes memories of reading the book and watching the film.
Verdict
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #1 is a stylish, atmospheric and original take on a classic. It’s familiar in foundation but presents the reader with a unique and engaging approach which is unmistakably contemporary and cool.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
