We all know the story of Frankenstein’s Monster and of course his corpse bride. But now Skybound Entertainment in association with Universal are giving us a new take on the Bride of Frankenstein. After the fire that destroys the castle, the bride finds herself wandering the countryside trying to survive and figure out what’s going on. But when she starts to get a grasp on what may be happening, that’s where the real nightmare begins.
Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives #1 – Written By Kelly Thompson – Art By Mattia De Iulis – Letters By Becca Carey - Published By Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics
Credit: Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
WRITING:
This first issue really sets the tone for where this series is headed. Kelly Thompson is telling a different and new tale of what happened to the bride after the events of the famous Universal Monster movie. Thompson does an amazing job of using the source material from the movie, combining it with ideas from other movies and writings, and then putting her own spin on it. This first issue plays out more like a drama that deals with someone who doesn’t know who they are. But it does have some great horror elements along the way, including some gnarly violence. By the time you get to the end of the issue you find yourself feeling bad for the “monster” and realizing the true monsters of this story are the ordinary humans.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this first issue is beautiful to say the least. Mattia De Iulis captures the look and vibe of the classic monster movie, well also capturing the gothic beauty of this rendition. The landscapes and set pieces look the part and make this world feel gigantic. The peaceful countryside hides the sinister actions of some of its inhabitants well. The character design for the bride is beautiful, giving her less of a monstrous look and more of a gothic beauty look. Even with the scars that hold her together, you get the feeling that she would be one of the most beautiful women of her time. Once again this takes a dark tale and gives it a bit more of optimism. The darker color pallet also sets the tone and mood of the story. The darker colors give the art a shadowy feel that captures what is happening on the page. Becca Carey’s lettering is easy to follow and never distracts you from the artwork. Blending seamlessly enables the reader to maintain their focus on what’s important throughout the issue.
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Final Thoughts:
Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives #1 is a haunting and beautiful start to this new take on a classic monster. Kelly Thompson gives the bride a compelling journey of survival and self-discovery, balancing sympathy for her with the horror of the world around her. Mattia De Iulis brings that world to life with gorgeous gothic artwork and a dark color palette. Together, the creative team delivers an opening issue that makes you feel for the supposed monster and fear the people she encounters. If you enjoy classic horror with an emotional core, this is one to add to your pull list. I’m looking forward to seeing where the bride’s journey takes her next.
FINAL GRADE: 9.4/10
Let me know your thoughts on Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
