Frankenstein Alive, Alive — the trade paperback graphic novel — is a fitting continuation of Mary Shelley’s timeless tale. IDW Publishing‘s version originally in 2018 and this edition feels perfectly timed. With Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein now in theatres and soon heading to streaming, to experience both visions of the creature’s legacy is, quite literally, just what the doctor ordered.
There’s no difference between the earlier and current editions; readers hoping for new material won’t find any. What you get is something easily carried in the backpack—ideal for travellers who’d rather carry something lighter for reading on a train. It’s a rider’s dream: the rhythm of the locomotive echoing the hum of industry, that same mechanical pulse that Shelley once warned might overtake humanity. Frankenstein remains a mirror to our impulse to create and control—and the inevitable rebellion that follows.
Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein, Swamp Thing) breathe fresh life into the monster’s fate following the events of the original novel. Their story finds the creature awakened from his frozen tomb by the slow melt of time itself. He wanders into a carnival—a place of illusion and wonder—only to meet Dr. Ingles, a man uses Frankenstein’s own methods to resurrect his wife.
The narration gives the work its weight. The monster’s voice feels aged and cracked, like leather worn by centuries of despair. His search for meaning continues, and Niles captures that ache beautifully. Wrightson’s black-and-white artwork, etched with shadow and sorrow, needs no colour; every crease, every glint, tells the story as eloquently as any line of prose. Although unfinished at the time of the prior releases, that was because of the artist’s passing; Kelly Jones finished the last chapter at Bernie’s request.
Released just in time for Halloween, this edition is perfect for anyone skipping the trick-or-treat circuit in favour of something haunting to read. Prices vary by retailer and exchange rate, but the value lies in its artistry—a resurrection worthy of its name.
5 Stars out of 5
Honouring Frankenstein Alive, Alive….
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