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The Glass Scientists #1
The Glass Scientists: Volume One: A Graphic Novel
The gothic worlds of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and more collide in this graphic novel series about buried secrets, mad science, and misunderstood monsters. For fans of stylish reimaginings like Lore Olympus and gaslamp fantasies like The Night Circus !
London isn’t the safest place for mad scientists these days. After that whole ordeal with Frankenstein, angry mobs have gotten awfully good at hunting down monsters and wiping out anything they don’t understand. In fact, if it weren’t for one extraordinary young man, every out-of-the-box thinker would have been locked up . . . or worse.
That young man is none other than Dr. Henry Jekyll. He believes mad scientists would thrive if they could just fix their public image, which is why he founded the Society for Arcane Sciences, a place where like-minded eccentrics could come together to defy the laws of nature in peace.
But everything changes when a mysterious stranger arrives, bent on taking the Society in a radical new direction. With everyone turning against him, Jekyll’s life starts to spiral out of control, shattering all his carefully laid plans and threatening to expose his darkest secret—one that could destroy everything he has built from the inside out.
Volume One collects Chapters 1-7 of this thrilling, humorous, beloved webcomic, which is available in print for the first time ever. It also features a brand-new side story, a behind-the-scenes look at artwork, and more exclusive bonus content!
London isn’t the safest place for mad scientists these days. After that whole ordeal with Frankenstein, angry mobs have gotten awfully good at hunting down monsters and wiping out anything they don’t understand. In fact, if it weren’t for one extraordinary young man, every out-of-the-box thinker would have been locked up . . . or worse.
That young man is none other than Dr. Henry Jekyll. He believes mad scientists would thrive if they could just fix their public image, which is why he founded the Society for Arcane Sciences, a place where like-minded eccentrics could come together to defy the laws of nature in peace.
But everything changes when a mysterious stranger arrives, bent on taking the Society in a radical new direction. With everyone turning against him, Jekyll’s life starts to spiral out of control, shattering all his carefully laid plans and threatening to expose his darkest secret—one that could destroy everything he has built from the inside out.
Volume One collects Chapters 1-7 of this thrilling, humorous, beloved webcomic, which is available in print for the first time ever. It also features a brand-new side story, a behind-the-scenes look at artwork, and more exclusive bonus content!
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2023
40 people are currently reading
3000 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
May 29, 2023
i love gay people
July 20, 2023
I have been following this comic for almost 5 years now, and coming from me that’s a whole lot of commitment. I stumbled upon it by complete luck and I’m so glad I did because this comic has brightened my every Monday since then.
The characters are just so loveable. Obviously, the main stage is taken by Jekyll and Hyde, the protagonists, but they fully deserve it. Both are amazing characters in different ways. My personal favourite is Hyde since I adore the chaotic energy he emulates and his personality brings a lot of entertainment. He’s also a more unique take on the character, not truly being the „evil” one of the two like in most media.
But in contrast to me my friend’s favourite character is Jekyll. And I think it really shows that both sides are equally interesting. While Hyde is irresponsible and acts before thinking, Jekyll is the opposite. He takes on all the responsibilites by himself and struggles to maintain the perfect persona he has crafted in the eyes of the public leaving him sleep-deprived and in general unwell . But there’s more layers to his character and it’s so interesting to understand him better with each chapter.
Though of course Jekyll and Hyde are not the only characters in the story. The side characters like Rachel, Jasper or Lanyon are always fun to see and they all have their own stories to tell. Not to mention the cast of Lodgers that make up a really enjoyable background cast to care about.
The world of the Glass Scientists is also a great setting. I absolutely adore the 19th-Century London aesthetic and it fits with the story creating a perfect style. It especially hits all my favourite tropes when it comes to that.
The plot is very captivating. While it may not be action focused it’s a very character driven story. Truth be told, the best part of the comic is getting to know the minds of the cast, especially Jekyll and Hyde. I love analysing their mindsets and the protagonists are constantly put in situations where they have to evaluate their way of thinking which often results in a bit of a crisis for them. They struggles with identity, relationships and their place in the world is very relatable.
The comic’s appeal will be something different for everyone. Some love it for representing queer struggles (which is also a very important aspect in the story), some for characters’ relationships with each other or themselves and some just find reading it really enjoyable and fun.
I’m kind of in all of these categories and I truly believe no one would regret giving this comic a try! I couldn’t recommend it enough (especially, but not exclusively, for fans of the gothic literature genre, since there’s a ton of references).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The characters are just so loveable. Obviously, the main stage is taken by Jekyll and Hyde, the protagonists, but they fully deserve it. Both are amazing characters in different ways. My personal favourite is Hyde since I adore the chaotic energy he emulates and his personality brings a lot of entertainment. He’s also a more unique take on the character, not truly being the „evil” one of the two like in most media.
But in contrast to me my friend’s favourite character is Jekyll. And I think it really shows that both sides are equally interesting. While Hyde is irresponsible and acts before thinking, Jekyll is the opposite. He takes on all the responsibilites by himself and struggles to maintain the perfect persona he has crafted in the eyes of the public leaving him sleep-deprived and in general unwell . But there’s more layers to his character and it’s so interesting to understand him better with each chapter.
Though of course Jekyll and Hyde are not the only characters in the story. The side characters like Rachel, Jasper or Lanyon are always fun to see and they all have their own stories to tell. Not to mention the cast of Lodgers that make up a really enjoyable background cast to care about.
The world of the Glass Scientists is also a great setting. I absolutely adore the 19th-Century London aesthetic and it fits with the story creating a perfect style. It especially hits all my favourite tropes when it comes to that.
The plot is very captivating. While it may not be action focused it’s a very character driven story. Truth be told, the best part of the comic is getting to know the minds of the cast, especially Jekyll and Hyde. I love analysing their mindsets and the protagonists are constantly put in situations where they have to evaluate their way of thinking which often results in a bit of a crisis for them. They struggles with identity, relationships and their place in the world is very relatable.
The comic’s appeal will be something different for everyone. Some love it for representing queer struggles (which is also a very important aspect in the story), some for characters’ relationships with each other or themselves and some just find reading it really enjoyable and fun.
I’m kind of in all of these categories and I truly believe no one would regret giving this comic a try! I couldn’t recommend it enough (especially, but not exclusively, for fans of the gothic literature genre, since there’s a ton of references).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
November 28, 2023
this needs to be a series
May 29, 2023
This is an amazing book (and an ongoing webcomic)! I highly recommend, this is a colorful, well-put-together story, with gorgeous design. It’s one of the better things I’ve read, and one of the stories that got me into webcomics. I also read the original story because of this rewriting.
July 20, 2023
Truly a masterpiece of literature
April 6, 2023
**Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC. This in no way changed my rating**
I really liked The Glass Scientists. I didn't know it was an ongoing online series, but I'm glad that I know now. The series largely follows Henry Jekyll as he tries to make a haven for mad scientists solvent. Standing in his way are, of course, Hyde, as well as a hilarious interpretation of Dr. Frankenstein, who is vehemently opposed to Jekyll's "sanitized and respectable" version of mad science. The way Cotugno is able to mix Science Fiction stories, as well as work in fun little easter eggs for those who love the series is so engaging. I also really enjoyed the artwork. I could easily see this being adapted into a Children's TV series.
I really enjoyed this one and would definitely continue reading this series. Cotugno did a great job mixing so many stories together to make a wholly new adventure.
I really liked The Glass Scientists. I didn't know it was an ongoing online series, but I'm glad that I know now. The series largely follows Henry Jekyll as he tries to make a haven for mad scientists solvent. Standing in his way are, of course, Hyde, as well as a hilarious interpretation of Dr. Frankenstein, who is vehemently opposed to Jekyll's "sanitized and respectable" version of mad science. The way Cotugno is able to mix Science Fiction stories, as well as work in fun little easter eggs for those who love the series is so engaging. I also really enjoyed the artwork. I could easily see this being adapted into a Children's TV series.
I really enjoyed this one and would definitely continue reading this series. Cotugno did a great job mixing so many stories together to make a wholly new adventure.
July 20, 2023
Jekyll and Hyde is my favorite story of all time, so naturally I'm interested in any adaptation of it. So often I've been disappointed, but not in this one. The Glass Scientists really gets what Jekyll and Hyde is about, queer subtext and all. If you're a super fan of J&H (or any Victorian Gothic literature), you'll appreciate the references to the novel and even the musical as well.
That being said, if you're not that familiar with Jekyll and Hyde, this is a great entryway into similar media. You don't have to know everything about the original story to enjoy this fresh new take.
Not only is the story unique and captivating with diverse compelling characters, the art style is GORGEOUS to look at. I've been following this webcomic for years now and it just keeps getting prettier and prettier.
Pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I'm so excited to see it in physical form and I'm thrilled it's getting the attention it deserves.
That being said, if you're not that familiar with Jekyll and Hyde, this is a great entryway into similar media. You don't have to know everything about the original story to enjoy this fresh new take.
Not only is the story unique and captivating with diverse compelling characters, the art style is GORGEOUS to look at. I've been following this webcomic for years now and it just keeps getting prettier and prettier.
Pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I'm so excited to see it in physical form and I'm thrilled it's getting the attention it deserves.
September 30, 2023
thank you to razorbill and penguin teen for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
it’s really unfortunate to say that i don’t think i’ve ever struggled through a graphic novel as much as i have with this one. despite really appreciating the art style, i really could not get into the story very well.
we’re thrown right into it with honestly too many characters to keep track of. it was hard to remember who was who beyond our main cast (jekyll/hide, rachel, lanyon, the wolf guy who i can’t remember the name of, and of course frankenstein and their monster). the main cast is already a ton of creatures to keep track of and then we’re introduced to 30ish more scientists. wow, it was a lot. and really no one stood out to me, unfortunately.
also, this book is marketed as young adult. however, all the characters are adults, beyond university age. they use curse words, talk about sex (“shagging”), and definitely get a bit to drunk a few times. and yet this book is marketed for 12 and up? i’d definitely say that’s a bit generous.
it’s really unfortunate to say that i don’t think i’ve ever struggled through a graphic novel as much as i have with this one. despite really appreciating the art style, i really could not get into the story very well.
we’re thrown right into it with honestly too many characters to keep track of. it was hard to remember who was who beyond our main cast (jekyll/hide, rachel, lanyon, the wolf guy who i can’t remember the name of, and of course frankenstein and their monster). the main cast is already a ton of creatures to keep track of and then we’re introduced to 30ish more scientists. wow, it was a lot. and really no one stood out to me, unfortunately.
also, this book is marketed as young adult. however, all the characters are adults, beyond university age. they use curse words, talk about sex (“shagging”), and definitely get a bit to drunk a few times. and yet this book is marketed for 12 and up? i’d definitely say that’s a bit generous.
June 20, 2023
Love this story with my whole heart ❤️ Can't believe it's finally getting published!
August 20, 2024
UFFF PERO QUÉ ES ESTA MARAVILLA POR FAVOR QUÉ DIVERTIDOOOOO
March 3, 2024
This book has the making of something really great. The set up for the story - the way the author has Hyde competing with Jekyl - is great. The Society thing - great. The art? Don't get me started. Gorgeous character art coupled with cinematic backgrounds. Cotugno's experience working on some great animated shows feels obvious - the pan of the camera is implied with the paneling and the story itself divides with episodic tidiness.
So why can't the storytelling get the hell out of it's own way? There's far too much dialogue here - flip through casually and look at how damn wordy those speech bubbles are. It leads to a pacing issue; reading it never becomes a slog, but back and forth conversations between characters take far too long.
Ultimately this book was a disappointment. It's a very pretty package for a mediocre product.
So why can't the storytelling get the hell out of it's own way? There's far too much dialogue here - flip through casually and look at how damn wordy those speech bubbles are. It leads to a pacing issue; reading it never becomes a slog, but back and forth conversations between characters take far too long.
Ultimately this book was a disappointment. It's a very pretty package for a mediocre product.
October 9, 2023
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I decided to read this one on a whim, mostly because I am absolutely in love with S.H. Cotugno’s illustration style. As it turns out, I’m a very shallow bookwyrm who’s easy to convince. What can I say? I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as the duality of the human nature in general, so of course that bit piqued my interest, as well.
The Glass Scientists is an action-packed YA Steampunk Graphic Novel reimagining the Jekyll/Hyde story, filled with chaotic characters, plenty of action, sometimes explosions, adorable creatures, and stunning illustrations.
This book was a ridiculous amount of fun, from the first page to the last. All the characters are larger than life (and necessarily so when we’re talking about a cast full of mad scientists . . . sorry, rogue scientists), but they’re also terribly charming. Even the rougher among them. There’s a lot of action in the book, but there are also slower, introspective moments, as well, and Cotugno strikes a nice balance between the two. I absolutely can’t wait to read more (and this book does end on quite a striking cliffhanger!).
My Thoughts
✿ The illustrations in The Glass Scientists are absolutely stunning and gorgeous, making the story not only a pleasure to read but to look at. S.H. Cotugno’s style may be slightly familiar for you (as it was for me), being that they’ve worked on Gravity Falls (which if you’ve not watched, you definitely should). So I was somewhat familiar with the style going in and already knew it was one I enjoyed. What I wasn’t prepared for were the number of absolutely stunning panels that smacked me in the face page after page.
I have a very low ability to develop mental images (bordering on aphantasia), which is why graphic novels are such a game-changer to me. Cotugno’s art style absolutely brought this version of London to life in a vivid, realistic way that makes it someplace I would love to visit (despite the danger, of course . . . or, okay, partially because of the danger). Needless to say, I will forever be willing to read more of Cotugno’s work simply as her art style is breath-taking and I low-key just kind of want this artwork in my home library because why wouldn’t you?!
✿ While graphic novels aren’t often thought of or considered based on their written narrative (for some reason?), I want to mention that aside from just a lovely artistic endeavor, The Glass Scientists has some absolutely beautiful prose at the same time. I definitely feel like this should be talked about more. The unique beauty of graphic novels is that they are both an artistic and a written medium, all smooshed together into one glorious creature (much like Frankenstein . . . if one decided to describe Frankenstein as glorious . . . though, now that I think about it, I’m not sure why anyone would be so tempted, but that’s not the point).
Aside from having gorgeous panels, The Glass Scientists also has some prose that just smacks you in the face and makes you re-read it because it’s so lovely. It all comes together to really pull the reader into this world (and, along with it, this adventure) that worked so incredibly well that I was sad when it ended. I can’t wait for subsequent volumes!
✿ The Glass Scientists is a Jekyll & Hyde retelling that’s not quite like any other. It’s a bit fantasy, a bit steampunk, a bit artistic marvel, and entirely heart. Cotugno’s version is definitely lighter than the original piece, less Gothic horror and more comedic steampunk. That’s not to say there aren’t dark elements, because there certainly are, but it’s handled more as dark comedy than anything else, so a certain sense of humor is definitely recommended going into this.
Cotugno approaches the good/evil dichotomy with a bit more thoughtfulness than Stevenson, where not everything is so black and white. I mean, life is complicated, right? “Good” and “evil” are such flimsy words. I enjoyed the exploration into different personalities, often in ways that subvert expectations. Even Hyde isn’t quite what one might imagine (although, he does sound suspiciously like the voice in my own head . . . except slightly cooler, of course, because he’s Hyde).
✿ Welcome to the Society for Arcane Sciences, home to mad scientists . . . erm, I mean rogue scientists. No one can fault this group of scientists for being super passionate about what they do. It just so happens that what they do is . . . ummm . . . unique? I actually loved seeing all the different versions that rogue science can take, some of which are expected and some of which were a bit of a surprise. All of which I would 100% dedicate my life to except, like, two that are a bit squicky and no thanks.
While there are a lot of characters in this book (and they are, admittedly, sometimes hard to keep straight at times), they all are such big personalities that they’re impossible not to love to some extent. Sure, they’re not exactly socially adept, but who would expect them to be? I had a ridiculously good time meeting these characters and navigating this world with them.
✿ Despite taking on the dichotomy of good and evil and exploring the human psyche, this is a fast-paced graphic novel filled with unforgettable characters, adorable supernatural fluffers, and plenty of explosions. I mean, what would a book about mad scientists be without explosions and fire? This seems perfectly reasonable. While it’s not all action and adventure, this book is anything but slow. As one might imagine, life in this version of 1800s London isn’t a walk in the park, despite having adorable mythical creatures. All the characters are facing their own struggles. Some are a little more personal, like Jekyll quite literally arguing with the voice in his head. Others are a little more violent. But hey, that’s what makes this story so thrilling! No matter what kind of story you prefer, there’s a little something for everyone.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I decided to read this one on a whim, mostly because I am absolutely in love with S.H. Cotugno’s illustration style. As it turns out, I’m a very shallow bookwyrm who’s easy to convince. What can I say? I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as the duality of the human nature in general, so of course that bit piqued my interest, as well.
The Glass Scientists is an action-packed YA Steampunk Graphic Novel reimagining the Jekyll/Hyde story, filled with chaotic characters, plenty of action, sometimes explosions, adorable creatures, and stunning illustrations.
This book was a ridiculous amount of fun, from the first page to the last. All the characters are larger than life (and necessarily so when we’re talking about a cast full of mad scientists . . . sorry, rogue scientists), but they’re also terribly charming. Even the rougher among them. There’s a lot of action in the book, but there are also slower, introspective moments, as well, and Cotugno strikes a nice balance between the two. I absolutely can’t wait to read more (and this book does end on quite a striking cliffhanger!).
My Thoughts
✿ The illustrations in The Glass Scientists are absolutely stunning and gorgeous, making the story not only a pleasure to read but to look at. S.H. Cotugno’s style may be slightly familiar for you (as it was for me), being that they’ve worked on Gravity Falls (which if you’ve not watched, you definitely should). So I was somewhat familiar with the style going in and already knew it was one I enjoyed. What I wasn’t prepared for were the number of absolutely stunning panels that smacked me in the face page after page.
I have a very low ability to develop mental images (bordering on aphantasia), which is why graphic novels are such a game-changer to me. Cotugno’s art style absolutely brought this version of London to life in a vivid, realistic way that makes it someplace I would love to visit (despite the danger, of course . . . or, okay, partially because of the danger). Needless to say, I will forever be willing to read more of Cotugno’s work simply as her art style is breath-taking and I low-key just kind of want this artwork in my home library because why wouldn’t you?!
✿ While graphic novels aren’t often thought of or considered based on their written narrative (for some reason?), I want to mention that aside from just a lovely artistic endeavor, The Glass Scientists has some absolutely beautiful prose at the same time. I definitely feel like this should be talked about more. The unique beauty of graphic novels is that they are both an artistic and a written medium, all smooshed together into one glorious creature (much like Frankenstein . . . if one decided to describe Frankenstein as glorious . . . though, now that I think about it, I’m not sure why anyone would be so tempted, but that’s not the point).
Aside from having gorgeous panels, The Glass Scientists also has some prose that just smacks you in the face and makes you re-read it because it’s so lovely. It all comes together to really pull the reader into this world (and, along with it, this adventure) that worked so incredibly well that I was sad when it ended. I can’t wait for subsequent volumes!
✿ The Glass Scientists is a Jekyll & Hyde retelling that’s not quite like any other. It’s a bit fantasy, a bit steampunk, a bit artistic marvel, and entirely heart. Cotugno’s version is definitely lighter than the original piece, less Gothic horror and more comedic steampunk. That’s not to say there aren’t dark elements, because there certainly are, but it’s handled more as dark comedy than anything else, so a certain sense of humor is definitely recommended going into this.
Cotugno approaches the good/evil dichotomy with a bit more thoughtfulness than Stevenson, where not everything is so black and white. I mean, life is complicated, right? “Good” and “evil” are such flimsy words. I enjoyed the exploration into different personalities, often in ways that subvert expectations. Even Hyde isn’t quite what one might imagine (although, he does sound suspiciously like the voice in my own head . . . except slightly cooler, of course, because he’s Hyde).
✿ Welcome to the Society for Arcane Sciences, home to mad scientists . . . erm, I mean rogue scientists. No one can fault this group of scientists for being super passionate about what they do. It just so happens that what they do is . . . ummm . . . unique? I actually loved seeing all the different versions that rogue science can take, some of which are expected and some of which were a bit of a surprise. All of which I would 100% dedicate my life to except, like, two that are a bit squicky and no thanks.
While there are a lot of characters in this book (and they are, admittedly, sometimes hard to keep straight at times), they all are such big personalities that they’re impossible not to love to some extent. Sure, they’re not exactly socially adept, but who would expect them to be? I had a ridiculously good time meeting these characters and navigating this world with them.
✿ Despite taking on the dichotomy of good and evil and exploring the human psyche, this is a fast-paced graphic novel filled with unforgettable characters, adorable supernatural fluffers, and plenty of explosions. I mean, what would a book about mad scientists be without explosions and fire? This seems perfectly reasonable. While it’s not all action and adventure, this book is anything but slow. As one might imagine, life in this version of 1800s London isn’t a walk in the park, despite having adorable mythical creatures. All the characters are facing their own struggles. Some are a little more personal, like Jekyll quite literally arguing with the voice in his head. Others are a little more violent. But hey, that’s what makes this story so thrilling! No matter what kind of story you prefer, there’s a little something for everyone.
September 30, 2023
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really fun graphic novel! To start, the art was very captivating and made the story even more fun to read. The characters all had such interesting designs, I wanted to learn more about every one of them.
The story itself was intriguing and kept my attention the whole time. I like this take of Jekyll and Hyde. Both sides were interesting to read about. I thought the idea of these scientists all living together and doing their work was such a fun idea! Going through and meeting all of them and what their expertise was, was one of my favourite parts! I would read about any of them on their own, honestly. There was a lot going on in this story and I am excited to see where things go in the next volume.
I would definitely recommend this graphic novel!
This was a really fun graphic novel! To start, the art was very captivating and made the story even more fun to read. The characters all had such interesting designs, I wanted to learn more about every one of them.
The story itself was intriguing and kept my attention the whole time. I like this take of Jekyll and Hyde. Both sides were interesting to read about. I thought the idea of these scientists all living together and doing their work was such a fun idea! Going through and meeting all of them and what their expertise was, was one of my favourite parts! I would read about any of them on their own, honestly. There was a lot going on in this story and I am excited to see where things go in the next volume.
I would definitely recommend this graphic novel!
October 1, 2023
The artwork in The Glass Scientists was absolutely gorgeous. I often found myself studying the art trying to take in every detail and constantly bookmarking pages so I could go back and look and at them again. Along with the art, I also loved the plot of the graphic novel. It was an interesting take on the familiar tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I enjoyed both characters immensely and how one was depicted when the other was dormant. The lodgers were another great part of the story. Jasper, Rachel and Robert specifically were my favorites, but I just liked the dynamic of all of the scientists living together. There was also the edition of some elements/characters from Frankenstein which was probably my favorite aspect of the story. I’m really excited to see what comes next in volume two!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
September 3, 2025
As a gothic literature enthusiast, I must say I really enjoyed this interpretation of Jekyll and Hyde story. Characters are complex, there is more than one layer for all of them. Story is absorbing. Waiting for every Monday for another page became my routine for some time. I must add that artstyle is also eyecatching! I'm big fan of those facial expressions (they are also great as reaction pic to annoy my close ones).
March 26, 2024
A very fun take on Jekyll & Hyde. Loved the atmosphere and the art, and would pick up the next installment (cliffhanger!!). I got a little lost in the sauce with some of the action sequences, but otherwise had no problem following the story, metaphors, or the large cast of loveable and odd characters.
July 10, 2025
i know nothing about dr. jekyll and mr. hyde but because glass scientists im now compelled to read the original work. the art is gorgeous and the way the author writes the characters is so unbelievably intriguing. dr. jekyll being my personal favorite as he puts on a persona of perfection but is absolutely crumpling to pieces and makes so many mistakes,,, henry jekyll the man you are.
i’d definitely recommend reading the author’s extra content at the end! the short story and art vault is great but the afterword stuck with me. particularly the quote, “you’re not a weird, gross monster who doesn’t belong anywhere! at least, youre not the only one”
i’d definitely recommend reading the author’s extra content at the end! the short story and art vault is great but the afterword stuck with me. particularly the quote, “you’re not a weird, gross monster who doesn’t belong anywhere! at least, youre not the only one”
February 17, 2025
Super fun and humorous! Wish we did get to see the other lodgers in a bit more detail as I was rapidly losing track of them, but I will definitely continue this series!
March 7, 2025
I LOVED this book! It's genuinely one of my favorite series since I started following it (2022). Everything from the artstyle, storyline, and references to other literature is amazing!
May 29, 2025
I didn't realize it was the first volume of a series! Excited to see the rest and I hope it gets gay..er?
July 31, 2025
oh my GOD!! this was amazing, i loved it sm
i cant wait for the third volume to come out!!! yay
i cant wait for the third volume to come out!!! yay
November 24, 2025
Very cute - I remember reading the first few chapters of this when it was a webcomic and it’s nice to see how far it’s gotten. Hopefully I’ll get to Volume 2 soon
January 20, 2025
Cool concepts, slightly overwhelming cast of characters
May 12, 2024
A VERY GOOD BOOK YES !!! ended in such a cliffhanger like holy moly. everyone's designs. they are all so so attractive and cute. frankenstein and frankenstein's creature my beloved <333. robert my beloved <333 frankenstein's creature my beloved <333. RACHEL MY BELOVED !!!! i wish gay people actually existed. really really good graphic novel. five stars. read it in like a day.
January 15, 2024
The Glass Scientist Vol 1 by S.H. Cotugno is a gothic, reimagining of Jekyll and Hyde. There are werewolves, a house turned into a giant laboratory for refugee geniuses, and a female Frankenstein. This gaslamp fantasy graphic novel written by a Nonbinary mixed-heritage author is about buried secrets, mad science, and misunderstood monsters.
I found it incredibly difficult for me to immerse myself in the art and the text as the ARC that was provided was *incredibly* blurry. There was text I just had to guess through as it was impossible to read.
When Hyde, first appeared, I was a lot more intrigued, but overall it felt like a wave where my interest waxed and waned but never to a degree that I was truly interested in where the story was going.
Around 50% of the way there was the first mention of queer characters, I found the two and half pages of a mob-like crowd talking over the unconscious form of Frankenstein, and speculated on her gender and sexual orientation very strange to me. The conversation was then dropped and never brought up again for the rest of the novel. Some of the dialogue included:
"Is Frankenstein a girl?"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
"Just what I was thinking"
"I really couldn't tell"
"I have so many questions"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
>> “Yes, Frankenstein is a woman, now as I was saying…”
"Was she originally a man?"
"Or does the Frankenstein prefer the company of **other women**" With "other women" bolded"
“There were witnesses! They saw HIM die!”
"But seriously, is Frankenstein a lesbian or what?"
Personally, I did find it a little off-putting, especially since there was really no follow through to the conversation that seem to have been brought up, in addition to the character that was been vehemently discussed was unconscious. Please note that the author is non-binary and while I am queer, I am not a member of the trans community, and therefore, please do take the above portion of my review with a grain of salt. I did speak to my trans friend about this and showed them the scene and based on the pages that they saw they felt very uncomfortable.
Additionally, as this book is marketed to ages 12 and up (this age can be found on the first page of the arc as the suggested audience), I do find it a little strange that the word "slut" was used a number of times as an insult in the book. I do not think that children as young as 12 would truly understand how to use the word "slut" without insulting women, whether intentional or otherwise. There is also a scene where a character projectile vomits blood onto another character and that character just spends the next couple of chapters covered in blood.
While I understand that kids of any age may be exposed to gore and a variety of swear words, I'm not too sure it's necessary to have a book marketed to children with slurs like "slut" in it.
Others did enjoy it, but overall this was a miss for me.
I found it incredibly difficult for me to immerse myself in the art and the text as the ARC that was provided was *incredibly* blurry. There was text I just had to guess through as it was impossible to read.
When Hyde, first appeared, I was a lot more intrigued, but overall it felt like a wave where my interest waxed and waned but never to a degree that I was truly interested in where the story was going.
Around 50% of the way there was the first mention of queer characters, I found the two and half pages of a mob-like crowd talking over the unconscious form of Frankenstein, and speculated on her gender and sexual orientation very strange to me. The conversation was then dropped and never brought up again for the rest of the novel. Some of the dialogue included:
"Is Frankenstein a girl?"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
"Just what I was thinking"
"I really couldn't tell"
"I have so many questions"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
>> “Yes, Frankenstein is a woman, now as I was saying…”
"Was she originally a man?"
"Or does the Frankenstein prefer the company of **other women**" With "other women" bolded"
“There were witnesses! They saw HIM die!”
"But seriously, is Frankenstein a lesbian or what?"
Personally, I did find it a little off-putting, especially since there was really no follow through to the conversation that seem to have been brought up, in addition to the character that was been vehemently discussed was unconscious. Please note that the author is non-binary and while I am queer, I am not a member of the trans community, and therefore, please do take the above portion of my review with a grain of salt. I did speak to my trans friend about this and showed them the scene and based on the pages that they saw they felt very uncomfortable.
Additionally, as this book is marketed to ages 12 and up (this age can be found on the first page of the arc as the suggested audience), I do find it a little strange that the word "slut" was used a number of times as an insult in the book. I do not think that children as young as 12 would truly understand how to use the word "slut" without insulting women, whether intentional or otherwise. There is also a scene where a character projectile vomits blood onto another character and that character just spends the next couple of chapters covered in blood.
While I understand that kids of any age may be exposed to gore and a variety of swear words, I'm not too sure it's necessary to have a book marketed to children with slurs like "slut" in it.
Others did enjoy it, but overall this was a miss for me.
May 16, 2024
i love this, i want my memory to be erased so i can rediscover this all over again
February 20, 2024
haha I love the little gay people in my phone
June 3, 2024
This is my first review on any book ever because I LOVE this series to my very core. I haven't been excited about a piece of media for a while now, and reading this helped me through a dark time. Not only that, I have something to look forward to every Monday (which was a day I always dreaded). The amount of joy these characters give me is truly special.
But they do have to grow on you.
My favorite character is, of course, Mr. Hyde. I was going through the longest art block of my life, and Hyde helped me out of that hole I'd fallen into.
I was also going through a reading block. I couldn't find a single book that I wanted to delve into. I felt like I had read every trope, every plot, every character. But I decided to give this one a try.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the art style. They say never to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, I had a hunch that this book was queer (which drew me right to it). Nothing inherently LGBTQIA+ happens in THIS novel, but in the second one instead, since it delves deeper into Jekyll's past with a certain school "friend". Needless to say, I can't wait until the second one comes out. You can read it in its entirety online, but I could reread these pages over and over. Plus, there's bonus content in the physical copies that can't be found online! Not to mention buying a copy helps the lovely creator. So buy like bleventeen! (Gravity Falls reference. Another thing that got me to read this book was the author's work on cartoons I've watched.)
At first read, there were a couple of things that bugged me.
Number one was Robert Lanyon's nose. Like. Come on. Why is it that pointy. But, as Mx. Cotugno progresses in the plot and art style, Lanyon's nose slowly diminishes into a reasonable shape. In novel two, he will finally look normal, I promise.
Slight annoyance number two was the ending. It was abrupt and quite confusing. Obviously, it was meant to be followed up immediately with the next chapter. However, I don't think there's a way to format it any better, as the original story was made less like a graphic novel, and more like a serial comic. At any rate, I'm glad I went online to read the rest. Like I mentioned earlier, the story has to kinda grow on you. (Or at least, it was that way for me.)
On a different note, I saw a couple of negative reviews concerning the age range for this book. As a teenager, I enjoyed it—but is it appropriate for 12-year-olds? Technically, the answer is no. BUT!!! In queer media especially, a lot of the backlash is focused on the idea of "protecting the children". The adults refuse to believe that kids are already becoming very exposed to different aspects of the world thanks to technology. And, even if a child doesn't have access to the pool of knowledge that is the internet, some friends at school certainly will. (Believe me; I have a brother in elementary school.) Whether we like it or not, preteens almost certainly know what bad words and gay people are. And, contrary to popular belief, are already aware of violence. Gasp! Shocker, I know. There was a scene in this book where a person vomited blood, which is concerning in its own right, but isn't presented as anything overly gory. It isn't unheard of OR nightmare-inducing. So, my final verdict is yes. This book is appropriate for 12-year-olds. Or at least, it's as appropriate as an internet access is. (Seriously, there's only a couple swears, with no f-bomb in sight. It's really not enough to warrant that much concern. . .*cough cough those two star people are just haters cough*)
I can't wait to see the fandom grow; this story means a lot to me, and I hope it will mean a lot to future fans as well.
I'll see you when novel two comes out!
Peace!
P.S.
[I also recently got into the Jekyll and Hyde musical! My favorite songs are "Bring on the Men", "Board Of Governors", "Alive", "Transformation", "I Need To Know", and "Murder, Murder!"]
But they do have to grow on you.
My favorite character is, of course, Mr. Hyde. I was going through the longest art block of my life, and Hyde helped me out of that hole I'd fallen into.
I was also going through a reading block. I couldn't find a single book that I wanted to delve into. I felt like I had read every trope, every plot, every character. But I decided to give this one a try.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the art style. They say never to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, I had a hunch that this book was queer (which drew me right to it). Nothing inherently LGBTQIA+ happens in THIS novel, but in the second one instead, since it delves deeper into Jekyll's past with a certain school "friend". Needless to say, I can't wait until the second one comes out. You can read it in its entirety online, but I could reread these pages over and over. Plus, there's bonus content in the physical copies that can't be found online! Not to mention buying a copy helps the lovely creator. So buy like bleventeen! (Gravity Falls reference. Another thing that got me to read this book was the author's work on cartoons I've watched.)
At first read, there were a couple of things that bugged me.
Number one was Robert Lanyon's nose. Like. Come on. Why is it that pointy. But, as Mx. Cotugno progresses in the plot and art style, Lanyon's nose slowly diminishes into a reasonable shape. In novel two, he will finally look normal, I promise.
Slight annoyance number two was the ending. It was abrupt and quite confusing. Obviously, it was meant to be followed up immediately with the next chapter. However, I don't think there's a way to format it any better, as the original story was made less like a graphic novel, and more like a serial comic. At any rate, I'm glad I went online to read the rest. Like I mentioned earlier, the story has to kinda grow on you. (Or at least, it was that way for me.)
On a different note, I saw a couple of negative reviews concerning the age range for this book. As a teenager, I enjoyed it—but is it appropriate for 12-year-olds? Technically, the answer is no. BUT!!! In queer media especially, a lot of the backlash is focused on the idea of "protecting the children". The adults refuse to believe that kids are already becoming very exposed to different aspects of the world thanks to technology. And, even if a child doesn't have access to the pool of knowledge that is the internet, some friends at school certainly will. (Believe me; I have a brother in elementary school.) Whether we like it or not, preteens almost certainly know what bad words and gay people are. And, contrary to popular belief, are already aware of violence. Gasp! Shocker, I know. There was a scene in this book where a person vomited blood, which is concerning in its own right, but isn't presented as anything overly gory. It isn't unheard of OR nightmare-inducing. So, my final verdict is yes. This book is appropriate for 12-year-olds. Or at least, it's as appropriate as an internet access is. (Seriously, there's only a couple swears, with no f-bomb in sight. It's really not enough to warrant that much concern. . .*cough cough those two star people are just haters cough*)
I can't wait to see the fandom grow; this story means a lot to me, and I hope it will mean a lot to future fans as well.
I'll see you when novel two comes out!
Peace!
P.S.
[I also recently got into the Jekyll and Hyde musical! My favorite songs are "Bring on the Men", "Board Of Governors", "Alive", "Transformation", "I Need To Know", and "Murder, Murder!"]
February 15, 2025
(review from two readers)
As an enthusiast of the original novella, i STRONGLY dislike this comic.
Don't get me wrong, the art is lovely, and the coloring is GORGEOUS, I greatly appreciate all of the LGTBQ+ representation, and the story by itself, while a little hard to follow at times, was decent. But, the nitpicks I have with this comic are FAR too great for me to deliver a high rating and pleasant review for this comic. To begin, I first must explain a few observations from the original books. As like many others, I too picked up on the overall gayness of the book, and personally speculate (like many others) that Jekyll is gay. Now, my problem here in the comic, that Lanyon was in a relationship of sorts with Jekyll. While this is "inspired" by the original book, it seems far too fanfictiony for these two to have any sort of relationship with each other outside of being distant friends. As seen in the book, Lanyon and Jekyll had a major disagreement in the past and scarcely ever speak to each other for MANY YEARS. When Jekyll and Lanyon speak for the last time, it is when Jekyll is showing Lanyon how Jekyll has, essentially, created Hyde. After this, Lanyon DIES OF SHOCK, and expresses some disdain for Jekyll. So I DO NOT understand how ANYONE could write a possible romance between Lanyon and Jekyll. Another complaint I have is the age rating for this book. As a fellow aroace, I was GREATLY uncomfortable with all of the sexual innuendos (literally started screaming of fear). Of course, I know and understand that those kinds of relationships are the norm, and I am tolerable of them, but the fact that this book (not only has various cursing in it) is rated for 12+, is dishonorable. There were many of these sexual scenes, and it is simply NOT acceptable for a 12 year old, as a 16 year old, I personally would even advise that others my age stray from reading this comic.
Hi! Second reader here! To agree with the previously mentioned statements, I FREAKING LOVE THE ART! ITS AMAZING!!! And the characters are fun and the writing is successfully comedic at times (I especially love the, "So, is Frankenstein a lesbian or what?" joke) and do love the representation. Now I have the same nitpicks as listed above, but there is one nitpick that makes the author my personal enemy. THEY. CUT. UTTERSON!! Why, oh WHY did you cut my favorite character, not to mention the (more or less) MAIN CHARACTER OF THE ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL!?? It makes me especially furious that they gave LANYON (A character I absolutely DESPISE) some of the roles that Utterson was supposed to fill! Utterson is also so serious when he says the most silly thing, which makes him unintentionally funny. ("If he be Mr. Hyde," He Thought," then I shall be Mr. Seek!" TELL ME THATS NOT FUNNY BRO. TELL ME!!!) HOW COULD YOU CUT OUT MY GOOFY 54 YEAR OLD MAN! Oh, and that's the other thing. The ages are very odd. In the source material, Jekyll is actually 50, but becomes younger as Mr. Hyde. (i think Hyde is like 27 in face and body, but not mentally.) So I find it odd that the story takes place so early on in Jekyll's life. Now, obviously book characters do not have set appearances even when described in great detail, as it is left up for the reader to interpret, but WHY IS HYDE BLONDE BRO??? Like his hair is actually described as being black in the book?? Okay, thats pretty much it on my part. To summarize, I HATE LANYON, and I am convinced that the author is Utterson's number one hater. ("If Utterson has no haters I am dead" ah author (I am coming for you btw.))
As an enthusiast of the original novella, i STRONGLY dislike this comic.
Don't get me wrong, the art is lovely, and the coloring is GORGEOUS, I greatly appreciate all of the LGTBQ+ representation, and the story by itself, while a little hard to follow at times, was decent. But, the nitpicks I have with this comic are FAR too great for me to deliver a high rating and pleasant review for this comic. To begin, I first must explain a few observations from the original books. As like many others, I too picked up on the overall gayness of the book, and personally speculate (like many others) that Jekyll is gay. Now, my problem here in the comic, that Lanyon was in a relationship of sorts with Jekyll. While this is "inspired" by the original book, it seems far too fanfictiony for these two to have any sort of relationship with each other outside of being distant friends. As seen in the book, Lanyon and Jekyll had a major disagreement in the past and scarcely ever speak to each other for MANY YEARS. When Jekyll and Lanyon speak for the last time, it is when Jekyll is showing Lanyon how Jekyll has, essentially, created Hyde. After this, Lanyon DIES OF SHOCK, and expresses some disdain for Jekyll. So I DO NOT understand how ANYONE could write a possible romance between Lanyon and Jekyll. Another complaint I have is the age rating for this book. As a fellow aroace, I was GREATLY uncomfortable with all of the sexual innuendos (literally started screaming of fear). Of course, I know and understand that those kinds of relationships are the norm, and I am tolerable of them, but the fact that this book (not only has various cursing in it) is rated for 12+, is dishonorable. There were many of these sexual scenes, and it is simply NOT acceptable for a 12 year old, as a 16 year old, I personally would even advise that others my age stray from reading this comic.
Hi! Second reader here! To agree with the previously mentioned statements, I FREAKING LOVE THE ART! ITS AMAZING!!! And the characters are fun and the writing is successfully comedic at times (I especially love the, "So, is Frankenstein a lesbian or what?" joke) and do love the representation. Now I have the same nitpicks as listed above, but there is one nitpick that makes the author my personal enemy. THEY. CUT. UTTERSON!! Why, oh WHY did you cut my favorite character, not to mention the (more or less) MAIN CHARACTER OF THE ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL!?? It makes me especially furious that they gave LANYON (A character I absolutely DESPISE) some of the roles that Utterson was supposed to fill! Utterson is also so serious when he says the most silly thing, which makes him unintentionally funny. ("If he be Mr. Hyde," He Thought," then I shall be Mr. Seek!" TELL ME THATS NOT FUNNY BRO. TELL ME!!!) HOW COULD YOU CUT OUT MY GOOFY 54 YEAR OLD MAN! Oh, and that's the other thing. The ages are very odd. In the source material, Jekyll is actually 50, but becomes younger as Mr. Hyde. (i think Hyde is like 27 in face and body, but not mentally.) So I find it odd that the story takes place so early on in Jekyll's life. Now, obviously book characters do not have set appearances even when described in great detail, as it is left up for the reader to interpret, but WHY IS HYDE BLONDE BRO??? Like his hair is actually described as being black in the book?? Okay, thats pretty much it on my part. To summarize, I HATE LANYON, and I am convinced that the author is Utterson's number one hater. ("If Utterson has no haters I am dead" ah author (I am coming for you btw.))
June 22, 2025
If there's one combo that I'm bound to like, it's the atmosphere of Victorian, gothic lit. and really cool looking art.
I have had a bit of an obsession with classic gothic literature, specifically Jekyll and Hyde, so when I stumbled upon a webcomic that had a mashup of these stories with Jekyll and Hyde as the HEADLINERS, I knew I had to read it. And lucky for me, the physical copy of the first 7 chapters was only a few days away from coming out when I found it.
This book mainly follows Dr. Jekyll as he tries to keep a bunch of "rogue scientists" out of trouble with the law and the judgmental people of London, while also trying to keep the secret of his alter ego hidden from everyone.
I will say, I usually prefer my Jekyll and Hyde stories to be a little darker, however, I don't mind if they aren't written like that. In fact, I immediately really loved this story and the charming cast of characters that we follow. Also, for a book with a WHOLE LOT of background characters, I never found it to be overwhelming. In fact, I often find myself going back to pages where the Lodgers were being introduced or where they were all interacting with each other because I just really like to look at them.
I also liked the other MCs. Hyde had some lines that I thought were super funny, and even though his adaptation in this book is a little sillier and light-hearted, I like how he was able to be antagonistic towards Jekyll, getting under his skin and playing with his emotions to get what he wanted. I also really liked his relationship with Rachel, I'm glad that Hyde can have a nice relationship with a woman because a lot of early film adaptations (and the musical but shut up because I love it okay???) often have Hyde treating women a little...not great. I think it's funny that Rachel breaks down his attempts at being scary and intimidating. I also like Rachel and Jasper's relationship, I think it's very cute. Also, I really like Jasper. I like how he and Jekyll have a sort of mentor-ish/father-son relationship (even though I think a lot of people originally shipped them lol) and I like that he gives a more realistic side of being a mad scientist (if such a thing exists).
(Slight spoilers?)
I thought Frankenstein was an interesting antagonist because instead of being a villain, she was just a hater who tore through Jekyll's insecurities. I also thought adding Lanyon as part of the main cast was an interesting choice being that he isn't as large of a part of the original novella compared to a character such as Utterson (who is not in this comic), but I still enjoyed how dramatic and funny he was. I also liked that he was (or acted) emotionally unavailable but still clearly cared about Jekyll. I know, "he's super mean but also has a soft-spot only for HIM!" but it wasn't like that because Lanyon isn't a total jerk, he's just a little cynical and it's also Victorian London so like, men? Emotions? NO!!!!! SURELY NOT!
Anyway, I really like the comic and I'm glad that I was able to continue to read it digitally after I finished the first volume.
I have had a bit of an obsession with classic gothic literature, specifically Jekyll and Hyde, so when I stumbled upon a webcomic that had a mashup of these stories with Jekyll and Hyde as the HEADLINERS, I knew I had to read it. And lucky for me, the physical copy of the first 7 chapters was only a few days away from coming out when I found it.
This book mainly follows Dr. Jekyll as he tries to keep a bunch of "rogue scientists" out of trouble with the law and the judgmental people of London, while also trying to keep the secret of his alter ego hidden from everyone.
I will say, I usually prefer my Jekyll and Hyde stories to be a little darker, however, I don't mind if they aren't written like that. In fact, I immediately really loved this story and the charming cast of characters that we follow. Also, for a book with a WHOLE LOT of background characters, I never found it to be overwhelming. In fact, I often find myself going back to pages where the Lodgers were being introduced or where they were all interacting with each other because I just really like to look at them.
I also liked the other MCs. Hyde had some lines that I thought were super funny, and even though his adaptation in this book is a little sillier and light-hearted, I like how he was able to be antagonistic towards Jekyll, getting under his skin and playing with his emotions to get what he wanted. I also really liked his relationship with Rachel, I'm glad that Hyde can have a nice relationship with a woman because a lot of early film adaptations (and the musical but shut up because I love it okay???) often have Hyde treating women a little...not great. I think it's funny that Rachel breaks down his attempts at being scary and intimidating. I also like Rachel and Jasper's relationship, I think it's very cute. Also, I really like Jasper. I like how he and Jekyll have a sort of mentor-ish/father-son relationship (even though I think a lot of people originally shipped them lol) and I like that he gives a more realistic side of being a mad scientist (if such a thing exists).
(Slight spoilers?)
I thought Frankenstein was an interesting antagonist because instead of being a villain, she was just a hater who tore through Jekyll's insecurities. I also thought adding Lanyon as part of the main cast was an interesting choice being that he isn't as large of a part of the original novella compared to a character such as Utterson (who is not in this comic), but I still enjoyed how dramatic and funny he was. I also liked that he was (or acted) emotionally unavailable but still clearly cared about Jekyll. I know, "he's super mean but also has a soft-spot only for HIM!" but it wasn't like that because Lanyon isn't a total jerk, he's just a little cynical and it's also Victorian London so like, men? Emotions? NO!!!!! SURELY NOT!
Anyway, I really like the comic and I'm glad that I was able to continue to read it digitally after I finished the first volume.
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