Frankenstein: Underground #1

Writer: Mike Mignola Artist: Ben Stenbeck Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Release Date: March 18, 2015 Cover Price: $3.5 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 4
8.3Critic Rating
9.0User Rating

Hellboy’s creator takes on history’s greatest monster!

The Frankenstein creature is alone, abandoned, and wandering underground, where he will discover other strange creatures—and dark secrets to the universe.

  • 10
    Fangoria - Svetlana Fedotov Feb 18, 2015

    Mignola, as usual, does a fantastic job of perfectly pacing the story. He creates well-timed reveals while moving the plot along and doesn't get hung up on over-explaining every detail. Though he doesn't illustrate the work, having illustrated his own comics for years has allowed him to appreciate the visual medium and he frequently lets the artwork speak for itself. Speaking of art, the work of Baltimore collaborator Ben Stenbeck adds beautifully to the story, creating sweeping visions of night time monsters and day time humans (frequently one and the same). The colors by Dave Stewart pops the whole work out, illuminating the comic in dark toned hues with flashes of light. With these three at the helm, FRANKENSTEIN UNDERGROUNDis bound to be the horror mini-series to watch. Read Full Review

  • 9.6
    The Fandom Post - Rob Severns Feb 25, 2015

    Frankenstein Underground is the start of something wonderful. Its dark and Lovecraftian tone jells perfectly with the character of Frankenstein's monster. With such an all-star creative team behind the project, I eagerly await what darkness our Franken-friend is poised to plumb. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    ScienceFiction.com - Stuart Conover Mar 21, 2015

    A strong first issue and Mignola once more proves his talent in creating dark and twisted worlds for us to enjoy. I'm eager to find out exactly where Frankenstein's Monster will end up as the second issue opens. Not only that but I'm curious as to how the men now hunting him down will be able to find him. I'm also curious as to if we'll be seeing the inclusion of any other known characters that Mignola has introduced in the past in the next few issues. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge, III Mar 17, 2015

    Frankenstein Underground #1 won't be for everyone, and I will be the first to admit that, but even if it isn't, even the most cynical among us couldn't deny a curiosity about exactly how one of our modern monster masters would tackle one of the most famous horror icons. Mike Mignola, of course, doesn't take the easy route toward a straight adaptation of the Frankenstein tale. Instead, he and his outstanding art team deliver something odd, emotional, and more than welcome in the pages of Dark Horse Comics, a company that made its name with the horror genre and the works of Mike Mignola. Frankenstein Underground #1 is a satisfying throwback to the creature features of old and is sure to impress both stodgy purists and modern horrorhounds alike. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Unleash The Fanboy - John McCubbin Feb 20, 2015

    Frankenstein: Underground #1 is both a great homage to the character, as well as a unique twist. Giving an emotionally driven look into the Monster's past, as well as setting up an intriguing plot, the series certainly is one that you should give a try, as I'm sure it'll only get better from here. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Bloody Disgusting - Zac Thompson Feb 17, 2015

    So where do things go from here, I can say that I didn't expect the title to be so literal, but I can't really say much else other than buy this book. This is another homerun for Dark Horse, another incredible chapter to Mignola's world, and a story unlike anything you've ever seen from both. It's compelling from cover to cover, and manages to exceed expectations with haunting art on almost every page. I wish I could read #2 right now, and frankly damning myself for reading this one so damn early. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    The Latest Pull - Waylon Piercy Mar 18, 2015

    Mignola's plot is a bit thin, but it is intriguing, and the necessary exposition is handled deftly, without stopping the story dead in its tracks. He includes several mythological figures, as well as references to several classic horror tales, such as Dr. Caligari's cabinet. Stenbeck's art is quite nice, bearing a resemblance to Mignola's own, particularly in the backgrounds. Figures are less stiff and seem to move a bit more naturally, however, and that is all to the comic's benefit. Stewart's colors are pitch-perfect. Longtime BPRD and Hellboy readers will find several connections to the larger Hellboy universe, but readers unfamiliar with those comics should be able to dive into this comic with no problem. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    The Fandom Post - Josh Begley Mar 21, 2015

    Although the story suffers a bit from first-issue syndrome, Frankenstein Underground jumps out of the gate with a strong start. The art is superb, as is the way Mignola handles the monster. As I said before, if there's a better person to handle this character, I've yet to meet them. Mignola stands as a modern master of horror, and I think that we are in for quite a ride. Read Full Review

  • 8.4
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Feb 18, 2015

    Frankenstein Underground #1 has introduced another element to Mignola's every expanding pantheon of horror and adventure comics. It fits in perfectly alongside the likes of Hellboy, B.P.R.D., Baltimore, Sledgehammer '44, and all of the others, but never feels like an unnecessary mirror to any of its sister titles. Instead, Frankenstein Underground plays on similar concepts and themes, but sets itself up to explore them in a manner that feels entirely new. Mignola and Stenbeck are prepared to delve into the existential quandaries of existence and the horrors of a universe that is so massive as to dwarf even Frankenstein's enormous form. Frankenstein Underground is a series worth looking out for in 2015. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    Major Spoilers - Ashley Victoria Robinson Mar 18, 2015

    Frankenstein Underground #1 has a really interesting first issue filled with mysticism and the questions of life and death. It expands Mignola's Hellboy universe and looks exactly like it. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Multiversity Comics - Brian Salvatore and David Harper Feb 18, 2015

    It's a really, really solid opening chapter to something that could become great later on. That Stenbeck and Stewart combo is hot, though. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Horror DNA - James Ferguson Mar 23, 2015

    Frankensten Underground takes what started as a one-note character and builds him into a powerful yet tormented individual. This isn't Boris Karloff shuffling around with bolts sticking out of his neck. I mean, this is Mike Mignola on Frankenstein. Do you really need another reason to read this? Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Overmental - J. Simpson Feb 17, 2015

    I can't wait to see where the Monster goes next! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Jeff Marsick Mar 19, 2015

    It's difficult to take the oft-trod Frankenstein canon and derive a tale with some semblance of originality, but Mike Mignola does. His monster is eloquent and of conscience, weary from being hunted and harassed around the world for nearly a century and a half. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Alex Mansfield Mar 15, 2015

    Frankenstein Underground #1 pours a heavy foundation, even if quite a bit is still enticingly unclear. Exactly who everyone is and what their motivations are yet to be seen, as is the case with many a classic beginning. What is evident is that Shelley's Frankenstein is in good hands and Mignola, Stenbeck and Stewart have a firm grip on how to introduce him into the shared Hellboy world. This issue might feel slow to some, but it was all about setting the mood and introducing us to the battered titular creature. It already feels like a tragedy playing out via a classic film reel, but the potential to pull from the established insanity of the Mignolaverse is rife with potential. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Dustin Cabeal Feb 17, 2015

    There are some factors that go into you buying this issue. I'd love to believe that everyone should pick upFrankenstein Undergroundbecause it really is approachable for all types of readers, especially those looking for a foot into the Mignolaverse. The first question is, are you at a point that you can venture away from superhero comics? Are you at a point that a good story is a good story no matter the genre? Because here's the sad part, there will be some people that read this book and just decide it's not for them because it's this or that or the other. They won't see the beauty in the art of the meticulous pacing of the story and that's their loss. For those of you that read comics for the storytelling and not the genre then rejoice because this is a good damn issue coming your way. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny Hughes Mar 18, 2015

    If there is a disappointment, it's that Mignola doesn't provide the interiors. The cover shows what a talent Mignola remains to be. This book is interesting enough wwith just enough to whet the appetite of anyone who is a fan of this classic monster. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Front Towards Gamer - Lido Mar 23, 2015

    Story stands as the most interesting aspect of the comic in how well Mignola preserves the themes of the originalFrankensteinnovel. The climax of the comic plays heavily on the enlightenment ideas and philosophies that informed the original book, doubly so concerning man and his relationship to God. It's good stuff. I'm not sureFrankenstein Undergroundwill blow anyone's mind, though a solid first issue to read. The series shows a lot of potential and entices you to keep reading to see where things go next. Plus, Frankenstein Underground is a breezy read with a heavy emphasis on tone and visual storytelling over dense exposition and dialogue. If you're looking for an enjoyable and easy entry point into the Mignolaverse or just want some cool Frankenstein action, this is a good choice. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Comicosity - Maxwell Majernik Feb 18, 2015

    Frankenstein Underground is a good, not great, beginning. The issue feels more like an extended prologue than the actual beginning of the monster's mini-series. While not the strongest start, I do think the cast of characters and mysteries brought forth will make for a very interesting mini-series. Stenbeck's impressive art display won't hurt either. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comic Book Resources - Doug Zawisza Feb 17, 2015

    Like the monster from DC's own "Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.," this monster is restless yet weary, but that is where Mignola ceases bridging comparisons between the two. For readers more deeply invested in the world of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., this comic is sure to deliver a more impactful story but, for the newly initiated, this is a strong -- if somewhat murky -- introduction. "Frankenstein Underground" #1 opens a little fuzzy but appears to set the series up for a slow burn. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    AIPT - John F. Trent Feb 18, 2015

    The introduction of the Marquis did liven up the story a little bit providing a nemesis with clear convictions and motivations. Stenbeck's action sequences are short and sweet leaving a lot to the reader's imagination, but there are some panels where the emotion he is trying to convey does not work and sometimes even backfires disconnecting you from Frankenstein. Stewart's colors do a good job of highlighting the action sequences, but it can distract you from the other panels on the page (which actually might not be a bad idea given some of Frankenstein's facial expressions). Read Full Review

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