Comics
Review: “Frankenstein Alive, Alive” #3
After nearly two years, “Frankenstein Alive, Alive!” is back* in all its literary, artistic glory. Niles packs a philosophical punch in issue #3 that falls in step with both the previous issues and the source material, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Niles’ appreciation for this classic work of literature is rivalled only by Wrightson’s obvious passion for the Monster, making it clear that there is no other pairing quite right to continue on with Shelley’s story.
WRITTEN BY: Steve Niles
ART BY: Bernie Wrightson
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: April 16, 2014
If you’re looking for the commercialized, violent, and cheaply horrific Monster that the 21st century has associated with Frankenstein, you’ve come to the wrong comic book. It’s not an easy job to recreate a literary classic, but Niles does this job exceptionally well. He provides us with a deep, thought provoking look inside the Monster’s psyche and additionally, a look into the collective psyche of Man. Much like the original, the Monster serves as a mirror to reflect our fears and prejudices.
One thing that really stands out in issue #3 is Niles’ ability to earn the reader’s empathy. The writing is so dizzying, causing us to feel the same sense of dread, fear, and hopelessness as the Monster. This issue is strong with emotion. We watch as the Monster plummets down from his high off the normalcy that was built for him in the previous issue. The kind façade of Dr. Simon Ingles that had given us hope for the Monster has been shattered and we are pulled into the emotional tidal wave.
Dr. Ingles, who appeared in issue #2 as a kind and gentle scientist working on a way to prolong life and help the body heal itself has been outed as a psychopathic and manipulative murderer. This realization is a blow to the confidence of the Monster, sending him into a frenzied tailspin, ultimately causing him to question his own purpose and reality.
The sheer amount of work that is put into the art for “Frankenstein Alive, Alive!” is astounding. The fact that this is a serialized comic is a treat, even if we have to wait a year or so for each issue. Wrightson is gifting us with a level of artistry that just cannot be achieved on a monthly basis. In addition to the pure skill that’s evident in his art, Wrightson’s take on the appearance of the Monster is reminiscent of the early, mid-1800s Frankenstein artistic interpretations. Especially the classic Theodor von Holst illustration.
This isn’t a comic that one reads for heavy, action-packed plot points. It’s existential. Self-reflective. Very literary. It’s shorter in length than the average monthly comic, so take time with it, indulge in it, soak it in. Treat it like the fine piece of art that it is.
*Dare I say “alive”?
Review by – Bree Ogden
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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