Marvel's Frankenstein - The Monster of Frankenstein issue one
In tribute of Groovy Age of Horror's Frankenmonth the Cavblog begins an issue-by-issue blow-by-blow account of Marvel Comic's own version(s) of Mary Shelley's Monster taking in Spidey, the Avengers, Namor and the X-Men along the way. All together now... "IT'S ALIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!"
The Monster of Frankenstein
Issue One
January 1973
Story title: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein!
Dastardly Plot
January 1898: Robert Walton IV, great-great-grandson of Robert Walton, leads a band of ‘renegades and cut-throats’ on an expedition to find the frozen remains of Frankenstein’s Monster. Fighting off a mutiny as his cowardly and superstitious crew turn on him for cursing them with his infernal quest, the Captain begins to tell the cabin boy the story of Victor Frankenstein’s evil work and the birth of his Monster. But outside his cabin a storm is whipping as is the mutinous fervor of his untrustworthy crew…
Vicious Verdict
Believing that the age of Superheroes was passing and fuelled by the success of The Tomb of Dracula Marvel continued to develop it’s line up of classic horrors, this time turning its attention to Mary Shelley’s infamous creation.
Issue one, written by Gary Friedrich with art by Mike Ploog, begins the four part adaptation of the original Frankenstein story framed within Walton IV’s doomed expedition to find the Monster.
As adaptations go, this remains remarkably loyal to the original book cramming in the creature’s creation and his subsequent blighting of the Frankenstein line into just a few pages. Then as the monster faces his creator and promises to “spin a tale of horror to chill the bones of even a monster such as” Frankenstein himself we are thrown back to 1898 and the plight of Walton’s expedition.
As most of the action is merely retelling the novel this issue does feel as if it’s treading icy water slightly and appears more literary than the later silly and to be fair, more entertaining adventures of Mr F. Monster Esq.
Favourite Frame
The Monster, wearing a fetching furry body-warmer (very Son of Frankenstein!) towers over Frankenstein declaring that he must perish for his crime against nature. You’ve also got to love the Monster’s rotting lips that stick together like stringy cheese. Nice.
Fashion Disaster
We’re still in the past so not much in the way of 70’s fashion victims yet but Frankenstein’s plaid hunters jacket doesn’t looks more 1970s to 1700’s to me…
Favourite Line
“If only I can reach my gun… and place a bullet between those ghastly eyes!’ – Victor Frankenstein
Terrifying Trivia
This wasn’t the first appearance of a Frankenstein’s Monster in the Marvel universe. Five years before the Uncanny X-Men had encountered a fraudulent Frankenstein but more about that on another day…
Maddest Small-Ad
These old comics have some bonkers old ads which sometimes can be more entertaining than the issue's themselves. This one is a doozy...
Because obviously there are times you need a goatee and haven't time to grow one. But what the Karloff is a "Van Dyke'? Is this a merkin for the guys? We need to know!
Final Rating
2 electrodes out of 5. Must try harder...
The Monster of Frankenstein
Issue One
January 1973
Story title: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein!
Dastardly Plot
January 1898: Robert Walton IV, great-great-grandson of Robert Walton, leads a band of ‘renegades and cut-throats’ on an expedition to find the frozen remains of Frankenstein’s Monster. Fighting off a mutiny as his cowardly and superstitious crew turn on him for cursing them with his infernal quest, the Captain begins to tell the cabin boy the story of Victor Frankenstein’s evil work and the birth of his Monster. But outside his cabin a storm is whipping as is the mutinous fervor of his untrustworthy crew…
Vicious Verdict
Believing that the age of Superheroes was passing and fuelled by the success of The Tomb of Dracula Marvel continued to develop it’s line up of classic horrors, this time turning its attention to Mary Shelley’s infamous creation.
Issue one, written by Gary Friedrich with art by Mike Ploog, begins the four part adaptation of the original Frankenstein story framed within Walton IV’s doomed expedition to find the Monster.
As adaptations go, this remains remarkably loyal to the original book cramming in the creature’s creation and his subsequent blighting of the Frankenstein line into just a few pages. Then as the monster faces his creator and promises to “spin a tale of horror to chill the bones of even a monster such as” Frankenstein himself we are thrown back to 1898 and the plight of Walton’s expedition.
As most of the action is merely retelling the novel this issue does feel as if it’s treading icy water slightly and appears more literary than the later silly and to be fair, more entertaining adventures of Mr F. Monster Esq.
Favourite FrameThe Monster, wearing a fetching furry body-warmer (very Son of Frankenstein!) towers over Frankenstein declaring that he must perish for his crime against nature. You’ve also got to love the Monster’s rotting lips that stick together like stringy cheese. Nice.
Fashion Disaster
We’re still in the past so not much in the way of 70’s fashion victims yet but Frankenstein’s plaid hunters jacket doesn’t looks more 1970s to 1700’s to me…
Favourite Line
“If only I can reach my gun… and place a bullet between those ghastly eyes!’ – Victor Frankenstein
Terrifying Trivia
This wasn’t the first appearance of a Frankenstein’s Monster in the Marvel universe. Five years before the Uncanny X-Men had encountered a fraudulent Frankenstein but more about that on another day…
Maddest Small-AdThese old comics have some bonkers old ads which sometimes can be more entertaining than the issue's themselves. This one is a doozy...
Because obviously there are times you need a goatee and haven't time to grow one. But what the Karloff is a "Van Dyke'? Is this a merkin for the guys? We need to know!
Final Rating
2 electrodes out of 5. Must try harder...
posted by Cavan Scott at
7:19 am
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