COVER STORY: Universal Monsters: Frankenstein

What makes the best comic book covers? It is a great topic for debate. For us, as individuals, there is no wrong answer, of course; it is purely subjective. But, with a little thought it’s possible to explain what it is about a particular image that grabs you. The best images are the ones that make you stop and check out something you weren’t previously planning to purchase – and in some cases, you even end up picking up a title you’ve never even heard of before.

For almost as long as there have been comic books, there have been tales of Frankenstein’s Monster. Just open your Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and read them off for yourself – the Creature’s tale and his various iterations have been told at: Burlyman Entertainment, DC Comics, Gold Key, IDW Publishing, Marvel Comics, Prize Comics, and Topps Comics, among others. In fact, with the provided list, we could be just scratching the surface.  

Published by Dark Horse Comics, this fan-favorite prestige format book was released in 1993 with other titles telling the tales of Universal Monsters’ “Gallery of Ghouls.” Illustrated by Den Beauvais – best known for his award-winning work on book, magazine, and game covers – this Canadian illustrator brings a clean style to the official Universe story surrounding Mary Shelley’s man-monster without letting go of the spooky atmosphere created by director James Whale and actor Boris Karloff.

From his bittersweet saga to the general cool concept of the character, Frankenstein’s Monster has always found an audience with comic book readers. Look up this title for yourself and experience the monster appeal it has to offer.

–Scott Braden