The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein #1 (DARK HORSE COMICS)
It’s hard to take a story as iconic as Frankenstein and find new ways to tell it successfully, but The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein manages to do so.
This Dark Horse story takes the familiar Frankenstein mythology and turns its attention towards Adam and the life he has been forced to live. At its core, this isn’t a horror story. It’s a story about rejection, love, and loss.
The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein #1 by Tate Brombal, Soo Lee, Patricio Delpeche & Aditya Bidikar (Dark Horse Comics) hit the LCS this week.
Let’s talk about it
The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein #1 by Tate Brombal, Soo Lee, Patricio Delpeche & Aditya Bidikar (Dark Horse Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Adam is rejected by society and by his creator, Victor. Even when he finds moments of acceptance, they’re repeatedly taken away from him. His desire to be loved and to find somewhere he belongs makes him an incredibly sympathetic and relatable character. His relationship with Victor adds layers to that tragedy. Adam has a deep affection for the man who created him, even as Victor rejects him and tries to destroy him.
The artwork fits the story perfectly. It’s dark, gothic, and filled with emotion. Adam doesn’t simply look like a monster; you can see the scars and stitching that reveal what he is, but ultimately, you see a man. The art does a great job of reinforcing the idea that there is a person underneath the monster the world sees.
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Victor probably could have used more development. I wanted a bit more but this is ultimately Adam’sstory, not Victor’s, so I understand why the book keeps its focus where it does.
What I enjoyed most is that this feels like a genuine reinvention rather than simply another retelling. These classic characters survive because we continue finding new ways to tell their stories, and this book understands the themes that made Frankenstein endure in the first place.
FINAL GRADE: 8
If you’re looking for straight-up horror, this may not be for you. Despite the gothic imagery and some classic monster elements, this is ultimately a more romantic and character-driven story about someone desperately searching for love and acceptance.
Let me know your thoughts on The Perfectly Monstrous Life of Adam Frankenstein #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!