Image Comics; $2.99

When you’ve been reading comics long enough, you know how the hype goes. People use words like “acclaimed” or “rising star” or “must read” before the first issue is even out. They say things such as “It all starts here…” or “It’s all been leading up to this…” a lot, too. The descriptions are populated with PR phrases such as “…are proud to present…” and so on.

It’s par for the course.

But every once and a while you stumble on something fresh.

And Madame Frankenstein #1 might be one of those comics.

Here’s the original description from Image Comics: “In 1932, Vincent Krall sets out to create his perfect woman by reanimating the corpse of the love of his life. He’ll soon discover, however, that man was never meant to peer beyond the veil between life and death. Mixing vintage horror with mythic drama, this new series by writer Jamie S. Rich (You Have Killed Me) and smashing newcomer Megan Levens is guaranteed to send chills through even the warmest of hearts.”

Okay, so “smashing newcomer” and “chills through even the warmest of hearts” are squarely on the hype-y side, but you know what? Madame Frankenstein #1 delivers what it promised.

Smart but not overly clever, bold but not full of itself, the creators understand that when you do a Frankenstein riff certain things are expected but they don’t have to weigh you down. The nods to the original material and the many forms it’s taken since then are there, but there’s also something fresh and original.

It’s intended for adults, so keep that in mind, but it’s a compelling page-turner.