Frankenstein

While remaining true to the spirit of Shelley's famous work, this adaptation allows readers to have it their way, savoring this horror classic with either the Original Text, or the Quick Text, a simplified abridgement. More than a straightforward retelling, this edition invites readers to explore important social issues such as alienation, the consequences and ethics of scientific studies, as well as the nature of creation and destruction. Rich and lustrous artwork remains the same in both versions. Bucolic mountainsides and charming villages are rendered in a classical European painting style. In stark contrast, horrific elements are depicted with grotesque angular figures in monochromatic tones. Excellent lettering enhances the narrative without distracting from the images. An especially nice feature is the use of boldface to highlight key words and phrases. A table of contents, based on the original three-volume edition, helps readers follow the story's progression. Back matter includes a biography of Shelley, a description of the novel's origin and history, and a clear description of comic-page creation for this remarkable edition. Reluctant readers who start with the Quick TextA" will probably be enticed to try the Original TextA" and continue to explore this exquisite rendition of a gothic classic.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY Reading the company blurb above you think of other comic book attempts at Frankenstein from companies such as Marvel and DC and even Burlyman Press' "Doc Frankenstein" -and the great Dick Briefer's 1940s classic comic. Well, put all of that out of your mind. As a horror comic and film buff was I going to find this interesting? Yes,I did. If you have not read the Shelley book [hefty or abridged versions] then I'd suggest you get this book. I actually liked the black embossed cover on the Original Text version. And I think if you are a horror book fan you'll enjoy the Original Text version because it seems to add more to the creepy feel of the art. I'd best point out that there is nothing wrong with the Quick Text version! I have absolutely no complaints about the artwork;Declan has done an excellent job on what most young artists,even with a great script, might baulk at. I can see him rising to the top of the comic book artist pile if he continues this way! What adds to Declan's art is the excellent use of colour. And for that we have Jason Cardy and Kat Nicholson to thank. Very atmospheric. Oh,and the background information! If only this had been available when I was at school but in the dark days of 1973,the streets were shrouded in fog and Jack the Ripper walked the streets ofBristol and we only had a bulky thing called a "book".But then,I left school in 1973 and I'm old enough to remember a ten shilling note.Perhaps I wandered a bit there? Anyhow,if school teachers have cottoned on to the fact that comics tend to help childrens literacy [at a time when there are not many mainstream comics!] then they should get this book into their school library. If there is one thing designed to get a youngster reading it is a horror book in picture form,because that way they forget they are also reading a story and learning! Maybe Classical Comics ought to get in touch with Teachers TV about doing a feature on using these books in the class. Yes, I do watch Teachers TV now and again. So, having read the original novel [full and unabridged] over thirty years ago and countless comic book versions,Hammer Horror films and many,many other films and TV versions, what do I think?I think that this is a great book. The crew at Classical Comics have put so much into this,and their other books,that I can see the titles never going out of print. And there is so much appeal,not just to horror fans or schools,but also to overseas markets who I am quite sure are going to want to license these

Dramatis Persona 4 Prologue 6 Volume ILetter I 7Letter II 8Letter III 8Letter IV 9Chapter I 12Chapter II 13Chapter III 16Chapter IV 20Chapter V 22Chapter VI 35Chapter VII 39Chapter VIII 48Volume IIChapter I 51Chapter II 52Chapter III 56Chapter IV 61Chapter V 64Chapter VI 67Chapter VII 68Chapter VIII 73Chapter IX 81Volume IIIChapter I 84Chapter II 87Chapter III 92Chapter IV 102Chapter V 107Chapter VI 110Chapter VII 116Mary Shelley 132Mary Shelley's Family Tree 135 The Birth of Frankenstein 136Frankenstein Lives! 138 Page Creation 140