Mary Shelley's Frankeinstein: A Graphic Novel

by Pete Katz (Illustrator/script writer), Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

a Graphic Horror Novel

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Classics, Gothic, Fiction, Graphic Novels Manga

160 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2016

About the author

Pete Katz is a half-Irish, half-Greek illustrator & writer, born in the East End of London. He has been a freelance illustrator for almost twenty years and has worked for clients including; Image Comics, Oxfam, Harvey Nichols, Barnes & Noble and the British Museum. As well as illustrating his graphic novels, he wrote the scripts for; The Prophet, The Art of War, The Raven, Frankenstein and Beauty & The Beast. As well as working on graphic novels he also produces portraits, t-shirt graphics and other commissions.

YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON INSTAGRAM @nutkin

Reviews

[F.D. Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The imagery in this graphic novel version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is quite different and unique. The artist succeeded at capturing the true emotions Victor Frankenstein suffers throughout his meetings with the monster. Tragedy strikes around every corner and you can’t help but feel for the cursed doctor as his creation follows him all over Europe to exact his revenge. Always a great story no matter how many times read. This version was just as good. Perfect for a quick read. I particularly enjoyed this artists version of the monster. Horrifying yet eloquent all the same...

5 out of 5 stars
F. D. Gross

[Carous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quase não leio quadrinhos; não por preconceito, mas por falta de costume. Porém tenho me esforçado para ler mais neste formato.
Embora até hoje não tenha desgostado de nenhuma HQ, sinto que trapaceio nas notas que dou. Na maioria das vezes, avalio-as bem porque não tem nada negativo nelas que me faça tirar estrelas e não porque de fato gostei.
Acho que ainda estou me acostumando com a maneira como são escritas e preciso me adaptar ao texto mais direto e que pula pedaços da história.

No entanto, porém, todavia, me surpreendi por não ter nenhuma dificuldade com esta graphic novel. Eu fiquei completamente imersa e sem a impressão de que a história ia rápido demais e faltava partes.
Eu gostei como mostrou-se de cara que Victor Frankenstein é um megalomaníaco. E perverso com sua criatura. Foi uma conclusão que só cheguei ao fim de Frankenstein e pouco vejo as pessoas apontarem; mesmo nas releituras e adaptações da obra. Aqui o ilustrador já disse de cara que o Dr. Frankenstein era um babaca.

Já li a obra de Mary Shelley e gostei pra caramba. Por isso quis conferir essa história em outro formato e estou satisfeita de ter amado tanto quanto o livro. Gostei também das ilustrações; não são belas nem fofas, mas capturam bem a vibe do enredo central, a essência dos personagens.

[Brianna Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great adaptation. It captured the page-turning suspense of the original novel, and the beautiful illustrations reflected the story's gothic angst and dark, tragic tone. If you want to experience Frankenstein in an afternoon, I recommend this graphic novel. :)

[Coral · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what I'd imagine a Drunk History of Frankenstein to be like. It barely skimmed the surface of the story, it jumped around and the timeline was very confusing. It was so dumbed down that it almost seemed condescending?

[Zohal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the classic and this graphic novel is awesome too! :)

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was most definitely an interesting graphic capture of the original tale

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abridged retelling of Frankenstein

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

so sad!!

[Joshy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victor Frankenstein is found by a guy on a boat. He tells the boat guy that he is looking for his creation. Victor was a curious and experimental young man. His parents had many boys but one day his mother adopted a young girl who he will call his cousin or sister and later in life married. He moved away from Genova where his from to study. He tarted experiencing on animals, he was fascinated and curious about bringing life to the dead. He gave life to a monster who he never named. Afraid of his creation he hid and the creature went away. The monster learned to speak and about love, nature and survival all on his own since his creator abandoned him. He grew resentful and decided to find victor. He’s first victim was victors brother. He told victor that how could he expect any stranger to love him if his own creator hates him. He demanded victor to make him a wife that resembles his and isn’t afraid of him. Victor refused. This made the monster mad. He told Victor on the day of your wedding I will see you again. The monster killed victors wife. Frankenstein’s wanted nothing more than love and to be accepted, in a way he’s hatred towards Victor in my opinion is understandable. He creates this horrid looking thing and then abandons it basically a child in mind, doesn’t know survival skills, a language or love. At the end the grieve kills Victor and the monster at last is satisfied and can now hide from the world and live in peace. Sad story. Just imagine young 18 year old Mary Shelley in the early 1800s writing such a beautifully described complex and amazing tale. So many subjects touched such as prejudices, god complex, revenge, experimenting with corpses etc.

[Tyler Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel adaptation of Frankenstein was very good and surprisingly true to the original. Of course the story is abridged, so not all elements of Shelly’s novel appear here, but it’s definitely good enough to get younger reader’s and people who are unfamiliar with the original text more interested. I see a lot of comments on here complaining about the artwork, but I must say that the reserved and dreary illustrations really lent to the story that was being told. I believe the art was intentional and well thought out. I can see how people would be underwhelmed with the color palette and the rawness of the artwork, but this is Frankenstein people, it shouldn’t be colorful and cartoonish. This story originated from a gothic novel; I would expect no other type of vibe from the graphic novel. Overall I really enjoyed the story, but I only gave it 4 stars because I felt like the source material could’ve been fleshed out more, maybe even in a two part series, but as a stand-alone, I still think it holds its own and gives you a similar effect that Shelly’s novel does.

[Jan Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katz's illustrations and spare narrative get to the essence of Mary Shelley's "hideous progeny." Necessarily, the plot has been much abridged, but Katz stays true to Shelley's characterization and themes, and his illustrations are appealing--they create sympathy for the offspring of Victor Frankenstein's scientific mucking, while making clear who the monster really is. Another plus--the book can be read in one quick sitting. Enjoyed on its own, or in combination with the novel itself, this graphic novel shines!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent adaptation of the original. The art here managed to add to the story, and the text was easy to read. It was relatively true to the original and serves as an excellent introduction to the full novel. While nothing can truly match the full text, the illustrations here made the version, in some ways, even more powerful. It broke my heart. Highly recommended.

Content Advisory: murder, hatred, death...and everything you'd expect from Frankenstein

[ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is true we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but because of that we shall be more attached to one another.


I have never been so emotionally wrecked by a classic novel before. I had no idea just how heavy this story was. I identified deeply with Frankenstein's Monster, and that made this story so much better, yet much more heart-breaking.

[Mia Alecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was phenomenal. The illustrations were exquisite and gives the novel a unique touch while providing a better understanding of the story. I also found the language simplistic enough to understand clearly, but giving the book a complex background which I found interesting. If you are interested in old dark stories like Edgar Allan Poe than I would recommend this book for you.

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't care what anyone says. The monster's name was Frankenstein. The doctor was the monster.

First time reading Frankenstein. I thought I knew the story from all the Halloween adaptations, but not even close! I got close to tears numerous times. We're all the monster.

And the art was cool too.

[Murray Horne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of graphic novels. Quick read, but should read the original.

[Shannon Boote · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this adaptation and the art work. Being a huge fan of the original, I was not disappointed at all.

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not normally a graphic novel fan, but I am a fan of Frankenstein, and while this was a truncated version of the novel, I feel it captured the horror and sadness of it quite well.

[Syeda Asema · Rating 3 out of 5]

OKAY book.

[Mauw · Rating 4 out of 5]

.5

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. The pictures were so good, the story was very interesting.

[smellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, a tragic tale which has left me thinking about the characters - their flaws, their pain, their ambition and their tie to one another.

A great classic to read especially if you’re new to them as the language is easy to follow and is written in a way that makes you feel lost in the story.

I will be reminiscing on reading this for the first time i’m sure when I am to read it again. A beautiful, tragic story.

[Laura L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous adaption of one of my favorite books, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Deb Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a graphic novel reader, however, I am always searching for ways to entice kids to read classics. I loved the illustrations and the vocab was not dumb downed. Also nice to be able to recommend a graphic novel that does not contain profanity.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Synopsis: An illustrated and abridged adaptation of Mary Shelley's original novel of Frankenstein.

My Review: I have long avoided any of the graphic novel adaptations of my all time favorite book because I don't think the art ever really captures what I imagine the creature to look like, well that was until I stumbled across this version by Pete Katz online. I ordered it hoping for the best based on the cover and was not disappointed! The art in this graphic novel really captures the dark, gothic theme of the book but also the beauty of it. The condensing of the story is also great, you don't feel like you are loosing anything out of the original story. This is really the best version of Frankenstein that I have come across (besides the original of course), illustrated or even movie!

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the novel four years ago it was nice to revisit the story in an abridged version. The pictures helped with understanding the plot line. I feel bad for the Monster.