Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Frankenstein Alive, Alive! #1

The late comic book artist Bernie Wrightson first made a name for himself drawing horror anthologies eventually moving on to pencil DC Comics Swampthing.

But, when Wrightson created his Frankenstein illustrated plates special the world took notice. His art was incredible and extremely detailed.

Unfortunately as Wrightson grew older his eyesight started to fail and his output dwindled.

One of his final comic book illustrated tales was Frankenstein, Alive, Alive!

Have you ever wondered what happened to the Frankenstein monster after his story ended in the famous novel?

In this iteration from IDW, by writer Steve Niles and artist Bernie Wrightson, Frankenstein winds up in a freak show as a sideshow attraction eking out a modest living with his fellow freaks.

After a brief interlude with the freaks, Frankenstein recollects what happened since his last act in the novel.

It seems he survived his self imposed exile, reunited with his creator, succumbed to depression and decided to end his own life.

In the last panel of issue #1 he buries himself in a mudslide, seemingly ending his existence. But how do you kill something or someone who isn’t really alive in the first place?

Bernie Wrightson’s illustration genius shines through as he provides some spectacular art. Sadly not too long after completing this mini-series and a couple more for IDW Bernie passed away.

However his legacy lives on in his art.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will." — Romans 12:2

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