Few works by comic-book artists have earned the universal acclaim and reverence that Bernie Wrightson's illustrated version of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein was met with upon its original release in 1983. Twenty-five years later, this magnificent pairing of art and literature is still considered to be one of the greatest achievements made by any artist in the field. Now, Wrightson and Dark Horse Books are collaborating on a beautiful new hardcover edition of the book, published in a larger 9' x 12' format intended to show off the exquisitely detailed line art of one of the greatest living artists in comics today. This book includes the complete text of the original groundbreaking novel, and the original forty-seven full-page illustrations that stunned the world with their monumental beauty and uniqueness.
Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By J. S. Cole
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Frankenstein is by far one of the greatest books ever written. Few other novels measure up to it. I did not realize this the first time I read it, when it was required reading for high school. At that time, I hated it. But, as was usual in my high school experience, the life was sucked out of it and it was greatly misinterpreted by the teacher. So, if you have had such a reading experience with this book, please do not judge it based on that.
If you are not familiar with the actual tale presented in this work of literary brilliance, please pay NO attention to Hollywood's portrayal of the story. This is not a tale about a scary, soulless, killing machine that goes on a rampage whilst the poor, defenseless creator sits back helplessly and innocently. It is a sad, touching tale about abandonment, prejudice, acceptance, and much more. In reading it, you will discover who the true monster of the tale is - and it isn't the poor creature.
As for this edition of the novel, I think that it is fantastic. I love this books so much that I really felt that I needed to have a hardcover edition. I'm very happy that I selected this one. The illustrations are excellent and plentiful. I am easily amused, so I was delighted to discover that the book has a ribbon attached to the spine so you can easily mark your pages. This is by far one of the most unique books in my collection. I love it. Buy it!
If you are not familiar with the actual tale presented in this work of literary brilliance, please pay NO attention to Hollywood's portrayal of the story. This is not a tale about a scary, soulless, killing machine that goes on a rampage whilst the poor, defenseless creator sits back helplessly and innocently. It is a sad, touching tale about abandonment, prejudice, acceptance, and much more. In reading it, you will discover who the true monster of the tale is - and it isn't the poor creature.
As for this edition of the novel, I think that it is fantastic. I love this books so much that I really felt that I needed to have a hardcover edition. I'm very happy that I selected this one. The illustrations are excellent and plentiful. I am easily amused, so I was delighted to discover that the book has a ribbon attached to the spine so you can easily mark your pages. This is by far one of the most unique books in my collection. I love it. Buy it!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought Bernie Wrightson's trade paperback edition when Marvel published the title in 1983. I hesitated picking up Dark Horse's reprint until I chanced upon a copy at Border's. This is a gorgeous edition that every horror fan must have on their shelf. Dark Horse pulled out all the stops to make this an event publication. Cloth bound with slick pages. This book is a true work of art and an amazing bargain given Amazon's pricing. Worth every penny. This is the only edition of Mary Shelley's book you'll ever need. Bernie Wrightson's artwork is stunning and Dark Horse Books proves once again why they are the best in the business.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful version of Brilliant Classic; A woman gave us our first Science Fiction
December 25, 2008
By Jonathan
Format:Hardcover
I just gave this version as a gift and it is magnificent. Beautiful accents on various pages as well as full page drawings. The story itself is of course a classic in a class of it's own for many, many reasons including, the extraordinary life of the writer, her parents, their friends and Mary's lover and their friends; having written the book at the age of 19, nearly 200 years ago, and the night that served as a catalyst for the book itself, which is considered the first work of Science Fiction ever. Brilliant, bold, epic, painful and beautiful.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the most beautiful edition of this extraordinary piece of work you will ever see.
April 17, 2011
Format:Hardcover
This is the most beautiful edition of this extraordinary piece of work you will ever see.
First, the tale itself, if you have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing it, is a masterpiece. If you are only familiar with Frankenstein through the Universal or Hammer films, trust me, you are in for a BIG, most pleasant, surprise.
Second, if you experience Frankenstein for the first time here accompanied by Mr. Wrightson's exquisite illustrations, you have no idea how lucky you are. Novels are not illustrated like this anymore. "In the old days" it was not unusual for a Dickens classic or a Melville doorstop to have any number of woodcuts or drawings amplifying the text. Now it seems there are novels, and there are graphic novels.
Not here. This is a seamless match between the evocative prose and these haunting windows into the story. Wrightson's delicate linework, dramatic use of black, and impossible detail capture the macabre, chilling and often sad moments of Shelley's story perfectly, in a way that would not have seemed out of place two hundred years ago.
Third, the construction of this book is one of the nicest productions I've ever had the pleasure to own. It's BIG...like 9" by 12". It's heavy...the paper stock is solid. The fabric covered boards with the inlaid image on the cover. Sewn in bookmark. Each plate reproduced with startling clarity.
Full disclosure: I have the original book from 25 years ago, and the original portfolio as well.
This blows them ALL away. It's not even close.
The price is ridiculously low. This would be a bargain at twice the price.
This book will be one of the proud centerpieces of your library. It now is of mine.
First, the tale itself, if you have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing it, is a masterpiece. If you are only familiar with Frankenstein through the Universal or Hammer films, trust me, you are in for a BIG, most pleasant, surprise.
Second, if you experience Frankenstein for the first time here accompanied by Mr. Wrightson's exquisite illustrations, you have no idea how lucky you are. Novels are not illustrated like this anymore. "In the old days" it was not unusual for a Dickens classic or a Melville doorstop to have any number of woodcuts or drawings amplifying the text. Now it seems there are novels, and there are graphic novels.
Not here. This is a seamless match between the evocative prose and these haunting windows into the story. Wrightson's delicate linework, dramatic use of black, and impossible detail capture the macabre, chilling and often sad moments of Shelley's story perfectly, in a way that would not have seemed out of place two hundred years ago.
Third, the construction of this book is one of the nicest productions I've ever had the pleasure to own. It's BIG...like 9" by 12". It's heavy...the paper stock is solid. The fabric covered boards with the inlaid image on the cover. Sewn in bookmark. Each plate reproduced with startling clarity.
Full disclosure: I have the original book from 25 years ago, and the original portfolio as well.
This blows them ALL away. It's not even close.
The price is ridiculously low. This would be a bargain at twice the price.
This book will be one of the proud centerpieces of your library. It now is of mine.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I am devoting this review to the Bernie Wrightson edition of Frankenstein. I wrote another review of the book itself, which readers can find on amazon and lunch.com. Stephen King wrote the introduction to this edition. He points out, among other things, that readers who only saw the movie versions of this classic will be surprised how different the original is from the screen versions. He also tells us that he recognizes that many people started the book and never finished it. This is deplorable, because the book is excellent and should be read. He himself first started it when he was 13 and did not finish it. However, later when he taught a literature class, he read it again and discovered how marvelous it is, and made it part of his course.
King tells us that Bernie Wrightson's forty-some pen and ink portrayals of the book are excellent. They are "filled with a clear and feverish energy.... There has never been a finer exhibition of black and white work than the one you will find here." His artistic studies "enhanced Mary Shelly's story."
I agree. Wrightson portrays Dr. Frankenstein as a handsome man with a face expressing strength and determination, perfectly appropriate to the Shelly story. His creature is shown to be muscular, as we would expect, for Dr. Frankenstein must have given him, at least at the beginning, before he changed his mind and became disgusted at his creation, the best body possible. When he stands next to his creator, he is a quarter taller. But his face is distorted. It seems to be unfinished, as if it still needs to be smoothed out. Most significantly - and this is the marked difference between the novel and its screen depictions - Wrightson captures the being's sad and yearning look.
King tells us that Bernie Wrightson's forty-some pen and ink portrayals of the book are excellent. They are "filled with a clear and feverish energy.... There has never been a finer exhibition of black and white work than the one you will find here." His artistic studies "enhanced Mary Shelly's story."
I agree. Wrightson portrays Dr. Frankenstein as a handsome man with a face expressing strength and determination, perfectly appropriate to the Shelly story. His creature is shown to be muscular, as we would expect, for Dr. Frankenstein must have given him, at least at the beginning, before he changed his mind and became disgusted at his creation, the best body possible. When he stands next to his creator, he is a quarter taller. But his face is distorted. It seems to be unfinished, as if it still needs to be smoothed out. Most significantly - and this is the marked difference between the novel and its screen depictions - Wrightson captures the being's sad and yearning look.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Frankenstein you never knew
Excellent illustrations to a great story that has been altered through the years to fit into a movie. I must buy for sketch artists.
Published 13 days ago by Daniel S. Forsythe
5.0 out of 5 stars
so well crafted, superb, jaw-dropping illustrations
How can you not love this book for only 25 dollars? its got beautiful art, and it is a timeless horror story, do yourself favor and buy this beautiful book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Saul Uribe Sanchez
5.0 out of 5 stars
bought this for my 14 year old son.
The artwork in this version is amazing and beautiful. I bought it because I remember how jealous I was when my much cooler friend got it as a gift when we were kids. Read more
Published 4 months ago by James Stoddard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bernie Wrightsons Frankenstein
The book was a Christmas gift for my daughter (in graduate school for art) and she absolutely loved it. It came immediately and was in great shape.
Published 5 months ago by Jehn Benson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful edition
Oh, Bernie Wrightson, great God illustrator of classic Gothic Horror. Where can you go wrong with Bernie Wrightson? Read more
Published 5 months ago by Amanda Pike
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Handsome Object
By this juncture in your life, I don't care who you are, you are probably, at least peripherally aware of the story of Frankenstein. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Blaine Mueller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Big, heavy, amazing
There is a real, sensual delight in turning the pages of this massive book, and seeing the incredible illustrations by Bernie Wrightson. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Diane Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible Illustrations
If you love Wrightson's work or Shelley's novel, you have to have this book.
It's HUGE, the illustrations are STUNNING and the layout is beautiful. Read more
It's HUGE, the illustrations are STUNNING and the layout is beautiful. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ian Loveall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tactical failure turned strategic success
I got this hearing about how it was Wrightson's Magnum Opus. I figured it was a graphic novel. I don't have 10,000 years of life to read all the books I'd like to, so I read... Read more
Published 16 months ago by S. kennedy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Far From Boris Karloff
We belong to a Book Club with eclectic tastes. Books we choose range from recent best-sellers to classics that would not seem out of place in a high school English class. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Roadrunner Press
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