Frankenstein Agent Of S.H.A.D.E. was one of the, Pardon the pun, shadier choices that DC made during the reboot. The mini series that came out during the flashpoint event was okay, not horrible, but it had it’s charms. This newest relaunch of Frankenstein puts him in the role of a supernatural commando leading a band of freakish misfits guided by his adopted father as the B.P.R.D…. I mean S.H.A.D.E.
Honestly though, if you love Hellboy, B.P.R.D., PROOF, or The Perhapanauts then you will love Frankenstein. The similarities to Hellboy are a bit extreme, Bruiser as the lead, Fish Person, adoptive father, and of course legions of monsters to punch and shoot. I for one love Hellboy and was happy to see DC expand the universe into places other than capes and tights. Frankenstein ends up becoming one of those books that will loved by some and hated by others, I liked it, but I don’t expect it to last too long.
Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth) writes a lighthearted monster book with the ultimate cop out concerning explanations, an on board computer that gives Frankenstein information, this was a brilliant idea for a first issue, no awkward dialogue explaining things, no thought bubbles reliving history, just a recap for Frankenstein and the reader. Alberto Ponticelli (Unknown Soldier) has a dark sketchy style similar to Mike Mignola (big surprise there) and it works well.
Over all I give the first issue a QUEEN, I see it as a king really, but the dark future I’m predicting for it switches my opinion to a middle of the line score.
Where is my mystery woman? Oh, there she is.
I think Frank first appeared in 1986, 9 years before Hellboy.
Ah Shade never came out until 1996 3 years after