Frankenstein: A Graphic Novel by Mary Shelley, Lorenzo Coltellacci (Adapter), Michele Botton (Adapter), Federica De Cotis (Illustrator) Due October 2026 read via an online reader copy.
When the book started, it’s set in an arctic landscape. My brain said, “Isn’t this how Dracula opens? A ship? Ice?” My brain said, “Yes ship; ice no.” And then, “But wasn’t there a scene in the film adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Men that looked like this?” My brain said, “Yes, I think we are remembering it correctly. So, my thought process was already bouncing around and I was hoping I could land and get into Frankenstein without preconceived notions.
Then, as I got through things, I realized this is completely its own story. It is nothing like other books adapted from the theme and nothing like the Universal Monster movie. So that was a pleasant outcome. It is a boldly colored, minimally detailed, expressive illustrated story. It gives us Frankenstein the story through the eyes of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and “The Monster” as well. Sometimes I did wonder how someone knew what happened if they were not actually there but I was willing to overlook that as it just bogged me down and stopped the flow. We see if Dr. Frankenstein learns his lesson or not, the “Monster” learns self-awareness and humanity, and a second narrator that is telling us what the others did. The people are cats which is a fun twist and gives it a lighter element.
It is humorous, but not the WOW funniest thing ever for the adult reader. It is a cozy read. Nothing amazing, but it does have its moments. Children aged 8 to 10 will enjoy it as such things like the humor involving bad breath and stinky feet will be a large hit.
