Comic Review: Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #1 (of 4)

Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #1 (of 4)
Writer: Michael Walsh
Artists: Michael Walsh, Toni Marie Griffen
Arriving: August 28, 2024
Image Comics-Skybound
MINISERIES PREMIERE
A MODERN-DAY HORROR VISIONARY RESURRECTS ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC MONSTERS
Award-winning creator MICHAEL WALSH (THE SILVER COIN) presents an electrifying new vision of the horror classic. Each issue of the limited series tells the shocking story behind one of the body parts used to create the unforgettable monster in the original film.

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.

Universal Monsters: Frankenstein is a new four-issue limited comic book series from Skybound and award-winning artist/writer Michael Walsh (The Silver Coin). Longtime fans of the iconic 1931 Frankenstein film and new fans alike will be enthralled as Walsh resurrects one of the most iconic monsters of all time. The official synopsis says Dr. Henry Frankenstein begins his unholy quest to create life by robbing the grave of a decorated police officer to find necessary parts, specifically a strong pair of hands. 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.

My review of the last Universal Monsters series, The Creature of the Black Lagoon Lives!, was giddy like a kid on Christmas morn. This review will be more somber, because this series is both horrifying and heartbreaking. Like that very same Christmas morn, when your brother gets a home dentist kit and you get a bib.

The story has you at the very first page. A young boy is at a grave. Orphaned. Speaking to the father that meant everything to him. But voices in the night interrupt him and he hides, only to watch Dr. Frankenstein and his assistant steal his father’s body. The boy jumps onto the wagon as it returns to the castle.

Here’s where Walsh and Griffin truly excel. They do not rely on dialogue or descriptions. They let their incredible artwork and panels tell the story. You know exactly what is happening. And it hits you hard. The boy discovering the Doctor’s classic laboratory. Holding his father’s hand as it hangs out from the sheet. When he finds the pile of discarded limbs and body parts. Walsh allows him to simply say “The monster”, referring to the Doctor.

Two scenes stand out for me. The brilliant salute to Henry Frankenstein bringing the creature to life. Complete with his fiancée and her father witnessing electricity flying from gadget to gadget. Ending with Henry screaming “It’s alive! It’s alive”, like the madman he is. And the second is when the boy finds his dad. Believing he’s rescuing him, he finds it is not who he expected. But he holds the hands that were his father’s. It is impossible to stay emotionally detached to this story.

The boy has a decision to make, one his police officer father would choose. And we are left with one helluva cliff hanger. The series synopsis says readers can expect each issue to tell the shocking story behind one of the corpse parts used to create the monster. In a world that simply regurgitates yet another reboot, remake, sequel, it is SO awesome to find such an original spin. Like a kid who discovers a cattle prod in my Easter basket, and my brother a cow costume, I am 100% hooked and cannot wait for the next issues. 

Universal Monsters: Frankenstein gets 5 hacked and discarded sheep.

 

Reviewed by Olga Dickie