REVIEW: “Frankenstein Undone” #1 by Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, Ben Stenbeck, and Brennan Wagner

Frankenstein's creator lies dead in the icy grip of the Arctic, and the monster searches for a new purpose. Just as he thinks he's found one with a group of unlikely companions, disaster strikes-and the monster is catapulted out of Mary Shelley's novel and into the world of Hellboy.

Bridging Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein novella and Mike Mignola's Frankenstein Underground, this series brings together Mignola, Scott Allie, Ben Stenbeck, Brennan Wagner, and Clem Robins for an all-new horror adventure in the far north.

Frankenstein Undone #1

Writers: Mike Mignola, Scott Allie

Artist: Ben Stenbeck

Colorist: Brennan Wagner

Letterer: Clem Robbins

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Price: $3.99

Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Drawing on Mary Shelley's legendary original story, Mike Mignola and Scott Allie take the conflicted and melancholy monster to a totally new locale where danger still finds him.

Hellboy's Mignola is no stranger to monster storytelling so it's no surprise the amount of empathy and sadness that emerges from Frankenstein's monster here. Looking to disappear to the furthest point in the world as a form of self-exile for his sins, the stoic but contemplative monster finds momentary kindness among a family of polar bears. A sweet relationship emerges that has its own perils. A new threat finds him though and upends the serenity he thought he had found.

Mignola and Allie provide some backstory to what led Frankie to the artic and his monologue is dour yet poetic. What really sells the story is the wonderful art from Ben Stenbeck and Brennan Wagner. Stenbeck's ever so subtle expressions on Frankie and those of the animals he encounters inject the story with emotion without a single word. The feelings of fear, pain, shock, and acceptance come across vividly aided by Wagner's bold colors. The script and art work in tandem to create effective emotional beats during the entire journey.

'Frankenstein Undone' #1 is a simple but effective first issue that takes readers on an emotional journey. It's Mignola at his most thoughtful without skimping on action. It's still a monster story but with an amount of heart, that is rare in comics.