Frankenstein (DC Comics)
Encyclopedia
Frankenstein is a DC Comics
character who is based on Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
's original Frankenstein's monster
, but is physically and mentally more reminiscent of the classic Universal
representation of the character. He was created in 1948 by Edmond Hamilton
and Bob Kane
in a Batman
Detective Comics
story.
A later reworking was developed by Len Wein
as the Spawn of Frankenstein concept. The monster fell under the thrall of Count Dracula
. They often battled against Superman
, Batman
, or the Phantom Stranger
.
Frankenstein's latest revamping was created by Grant Morrison
and Doug Mahnke
in 2005 and is similar to Doc Frankenstein
. He is a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory, and bears a resemblance to the creature as portrayed by Boris Karloff
in the 1931 film
directed by James Whale
.
body composed of parts from several corpses stitched together, created by Victor Frankenstein some time in the 19th century. He was assumed dead in Europe when he sank beneath the ice, but he survived and swam to America, having 'many adventures'. In particular, Frankenstein became a frequent enemy of Melmoth, the Ringmaster of the Circus of Maggots. In a climactic battle in the year 1870, Frankenstein faced Melmoth and stopped him from destroying a town with maggot
-hominids. The fight took place on a moving train, which was derailed during the conflict, and Frankenstein's fate was unknown.
In 2005, a high school student, called 'Uglyhead' by all the other children, acquires telepathic
abilities, which he uses to torment his peers. At the senior prom, the now-docile students are killed by the Sheeda maggot-hominids. This causes the return of Frankenstein, who had survived in a state of hibernation underneath the town, who makes short work of the maggots and the boy, before burning down the school to cover the bodies. Afterwards, Frankenstein tracks down Melmoth and makes his way to Mars
through an Erdel Gate, where he confronts the villain once again. Frankenstein frees the children Melmoth has enslaved
to work in his gold mines
, and feeds Melmoth to the flesh-eating
, praying mantis
-like horses of Mars. Before he is consumed, Melmoth reveals that it was not lightning that brought the monster to life, but several drops of his own immortal blood, sold to Frankenstein's creator, that still course through Frankenstein's veins.
In the third issue of the series, Frankenstein meets an old acquaintance greatly resembling the "Bride" in James Whale
's Bride of Frankenstein
, albeit with four arms. She is now an agent of the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive (S.H.A.D.E., a secret government agency who temporarily drafts Frankenstein as well. Of their previous relationship, she says, "It's nothing personal, but you were never my type."
In the final issue, he stows away on a time-ship which brings him to the Sheeda realm in the distant future. There, he destroys their world-destroying fleet, kills the Sheeda-Queen's time-yacht's steersman, and hijacks her ship to the present. Once in the present, though, Klarion
gains control of Frankenstein using a witch-brand and forces him to take the castle back to the future.
He appears briefly in Infinite Crisis
#7, which takes place one week after the Frankenstein miniseries. He is seen fighting against General Wade Eiling
. Frankenstein is armed with a three-foot-long sword, which he claims once belonged to the Archangel Michael
, and a large antique pistol, which he calls his 'steam-gun'.
A character called Young Frankenstein
has appeared in Teen Titans as a member of the team during the "Lost Year" covered by 52
. Young Frankenstein is apparently killed by Black Adam
during WWIII, but actually survives as shown in the Infinite Halloween Special and Countdown to Mystery #2.
Frankenstein and S.H.A.D.E appear in Final Crisis
#3, also written by Grant Morrison. He again appears two issues later, leading a squad of superheroes against Darkseid's forces, who are led by Kalibak
. He is also seen in the final issue fighting in humanity's last stand before Superman gets the Miracle Machine working. Frankenstein is immune to Darkseid's weapon, the Anti-Life Equation
, because he is already dead.
Frankenstein confronts Solomon Grundy
in the latter's current limited series, and again during the Blackest Night. Grundy, having been transformed into a Black Lantern, rips out Frankenstein's heart, but, due to having an extra one in his chest, Frankenstein survives this attack.
, a new ongoing series
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. is being released, based on the Seven Soldiers
version of Frankenstein. It will initially be written by Jeff Lemire
and drawn by Alberto Ponticelli.
event, Frankenstein was awakened during World War II
and attacks Nazi soldiers to save Lt. Matthew Shrieve. Later, Frankenstein is invited by Project M
to join the Creature Commandos
. Leading a raid with the Creature Commandos, Frankenstein personally killed Adolf Hitler
. After the end of World War II, however, Project M was deemed obsolete by Robert Crane
's government services. Frankenstein refuses to accept, but is subdued and put into stasis by the G.I. Robot
. Later, Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos revive and escape from their prison and discover they have been awakened over 65 years later. Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos travel to Gotham City
, where Dr. Mazursky might live and believe him to be alive. The Creature Commandos found Dr. Mazursky's cabin, however they discover that Dr. Mazursky has moved to Romania
, when Creature Commandos are ultimately ambushed by Matthew Shrieve's granddaughter, Miranda and a group of soldiers. Frankenstein attacks the soldiers, but he was sprung by the G.I. Robot to be subdued again. Creature Commandos saved Frankenstein by tearing the G.I. Robot apart. During the attacks, Creature Commandos are saved by Frankenstein's wife, who is eventually alive. Bride explains to her husband that she is working as an agent of S.H.A.D.E.. Later, Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos then travel to Romainia with Miranda, who was being manipulated by General Sam Lane, who is revealed to be the one truly responsible for the deaths of Miranda's family. They arrive in Romania, where they found a small village populated by monsters. The village is then attacked by a giant G.I. Robot. After they destroy the G.I. Robot, Frankenstein, Bride and Miranda depart from the Creature Commandos and participate in the Atlantean/Amazon war.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
character who is based on Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley was a British novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus . She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley...
's original Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
, but is physically and mentally more reminiscent of the classic Universal
Frankenstein (1931 film)
Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
representation of the character. He was created in 1948 by Edmond Hamilton
Edmond Hamilton
Edmond Moore Hamilton was an American author of science fiction stories and novels during the mid-twentieth century. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania...
and Bob Kane
Bob Kane
Bob Kane was an American comic book artist and writer, credited as the creator of the DC Comics superhero Batman...
in a Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
story.
A later reworking was developed by Len Wein
Len Wein
Len Wein is an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men...
as the Spawn of Frankenstein concept. The monster fell under the thrall of Count Dracula
Count Dracula
Count Dracula is a fictional character, the titular antagonist of Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula and archetypal vampire. Some aspects of his character have been inspired by the 15th century Romanian general and Wallachian Prince Vlad III the Impaler...
. They often battled against Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, or the Phantom Stranger
Phantom Stranger
The Phantom Stranger is a fictional character of unspecified paranormal origins who battles mysterious and occult forces in various titles published by DC Comics, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint.-Publication history:...
.
Frankenstein's latest revamping was created by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
and Doug Mahnke
Doug Mahnke
Douglas "Doug" Mahnke is an American comic book artist and penciller.-Biography:Mahnke's first prominent work was for The Mask, and he has since worked for DC Comics on JLA, Batman with writer Judd Winick, and Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein with Grant Morrison...
in 2005 and is similar to Doc Frankenstein
Doc Frankenstein
Doc Frankenstein is an American comic book series created by Geof Darrow and Steve Skroce, written by the Wachowski Brothers , drawn by Steve Skroce, and published by Burlyman Entertainment...
. He is a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory, and bears a resemblance to the creature as portrayed by Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
in the 1931 film
Frankenstein (1931 film)
Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
directed by James Whale
James Whale
James Whale was an English film director, theatre director and actor. He is best remembered for his work in the horror film genre, having directed such classics as Frankenstein , The Old Dark House , The Invisible Man and Bride of Frankenstein...
.
Fictional character biography
Frankenstein is an undeadUndead
Undead is a collective name for fictional, mythological, or legendary beings that are deceased and yet behave as if alive. Undead may be incorporeal, such as ghosts, or corporeal, such as vampires and zombies...
body composed of parts from several corpses stitched together, created by Victor Frankenstein some time in the 19th century. He was assumed dead in Europe when he sank beneath the ice, but he survived and swam to America, having 'many adventures'. In particular, Frankenstein became a frequent enemy of Melmoth, the Ringmaster of the Circus of Maggots. In a climactic battle in the year 1870, Frankenstein faced Melmoth and stopped him from destroying a town with maggot
Maggot
In everyday speech the word maggot means the larva of a fly ; it is applied in particular to the larvae of Brachyceran flies, such as houseflies, cheese flies, and blowflies, rather than larvae of the Nematocera, such as mosquitoes and Crane flies...
-hominids. The fight took place on a moving train, which was derailed during the conflict, and Frankenstein's fate was unknown.
In 2005, a high school student, called 'Uglyhead' by all the other children, acquires telepathic
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
abilities, which he uses to torment his peers. At the senior prom, the now-docile students are killed by the Sheeda maggot-hominids. This causes the return of Frankenstein, who had survived in a state of hibernation underneath the town, who makes short work of the maggots and the boy, before burning down the school to cover the bodies. Afterwards, Frankenstein tracks down Melmoth and makes his way to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
through an Erdel Gate, where he confronts the villain once again. Frankenstein frees the children Melmoth has enslaved
Child labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labour. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries...
to work in his gold mines
Gold mining
Gold mining is the removal of gold from the ground. There are several techniques and processes by which gold may be extracted from the earth.-History:...
, and feeds Melmoth to the flesh-eating
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
, praying mantis
Mantis
Mantis is the common name of any insect in the order Mantodea, also commonly known as praying mantises. The word itself means "prophet" in Latin and Greek...
-like horses of Mars. Before he is consumed, Melmoth reveals that it was not lightning that brought the monster to life, but several drops of his own immortal blood, sold to Frankenstein's creator, that still course through Frankenstein's veins.
In the third issue of the series, Frankenstein meets an old acquaintance greatly resembling the "Bride" in James Whale
James Whale
James Whale was an English film director, theatre director and actor. He is best remembered for his work in the horror film genre, having directed such classics as Frankenstein , The Old Dark House , The Invisible Man and Bride of Frankenstein...
's Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 American horror film, the first sequel to Frankenstein...
, albeit with four arms. She is now an agent of the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive (S.H.A.D.E., a secret government agency who temporarily drafts Frankenstein as well. Of their previous relationship, she says, "It's nothing personal, but you were never my type."
In the final issue, he stows away on a time-ship which brings him to the Sheeda realm in the distant future. There, he destroys their world-destroying fleet, kills the Sheeda-Queen's time-yacht's steersman, and hijacks her ship to the present. Once in the present, though, Klarion
Klarion the Witch Boy
Klarion the Witch Boy is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe character first seen in the pages of The Demon in 1973.-Kirby's Klarion:...
gains control of Frankenstein using a witch-brand and forces him to take the castle back to the future.
He appears briefly in Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
#7, which takes place one week after the Frankenstein miniseries. He is seen fighting against General Wade Eiling
General Wade Eiling
General Wade Eiling, sometimes known as The General, is a fictional character published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Captain Atom #1 , and was created by Cary Bates and Pat Broderick.-Captain Atom:...
. Frankenstein is armed with a three-foot-long sword, which he claims once belonged to the Archangel Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
, and a large antique pistol, which he calls his 'steam-gun'.
A character called Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein (comics)
Young Frankenstein is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. He first appears in Teen Titans vol. 3 #38 , and was created by Geoff Johns and Tony Daniel.-Fictional character biography:...
has appeared in Teen Titans as a member of the team during the "Lost Year" covered by 52
52 (comics)
52 was a weekly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the seven-issue Infinite Crisis. The series was written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid with layouts by Keith Giffen...
. Young Frankenstein is apparently killed by Black Adam
Black Adam
Black Adam is a fictional comic book character, created in 1945 by Otto Binder & C. C. Beck for Fawcett Comics. Originally created as a one-shot villain for Fawcett Comics' Marvel Family team of superheroes, Black Adam was revived as a recurring supervillain after DC Comics began publishing Captain...
during WWIII, but actually survives as shown in the Infinite Halloween Special and Countdown to Mystery #2.
Frankenstein and S.H.A.D.E appear in Final Crisis
Final Crisis
Final Crisis is a crossover storyline that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics in 2008, primarily the seven-issue miniseries of the same name written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and...
#3, also written by Grant Morrison. He again appears two issues later, leading a squad of superheroes against Darkseid's forces, who are led by Kalibak
Kalibak
Kalibak is a fictional character, a deity and supervillain published by DC Comics. Created by Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in New Gods #1 .- Fictional character biography :...
. He is also seen in the final issue fighting in humanity's last stand before Superman gets the Miracle Machine working. Frankenstein is immune to Darkseid's weapon, the Anti-Life Equation
Anti-Life Equation
The Anti-Life Equation is the equation for total control over the free will of sentient beings, for which the DC Comics villain Darkseid is searching in the Jack Kirby's Fourth World setting. It is for this reason that he sends his forces to Earth, as he believes part of the equation exists in the...
, because he is already dead.
Frankenstein confronts Solomon Grundy
Solomon Grundy (comics)
Solomon Grundy is a fictional character, a zombie supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. Named after the 19th century children's nursery rhyme, Grundy was introduced as an enemy of the Golden Age Green Lantern , but has since become a prominent enemy for a number of superheroes, such as Batman and...
in the latter's current limited series, and again during the Blackest Night. Grundy, having been transformed into a Black Lantern, rips out Frankenstein's heart, but, due to having an extra one in his chest, Frankenstein survives this attack.
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
As part of the DC Universe reboot in 2011The New 52
The New 52 is a 2011 revamp and relaunch by DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero books, in which all of its existing titles were cancelled, and 52 new series debuted in September 2011 with new #1 issues. Among the series being renumbered are Action Comics and Detective Comics,...
, a new ongoing series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. is being released, based on the Seven Soldiers
Seven Soldiers
Seven Soldiers is a comic book metaseries written by Grant Morrison and published by DC Comics. It was published as seven interrelated mini-series and two bookend issues. The series features a new version of the Seven Soldiers of Victory fighting to save Earth from the Sheeda.-Publication...
version of Frankenstein. It will initially be written by Jeff Lemire
Jeff Lemire
Jeff Lemire is a Canadian comics artist and writer. He is the author of the Essex County Trilogy, Sweet Tooth and The Nobody. Lemire is known for a his moody, humanistic stories and sketchy, cinematic, black-and-white art....
and drawn by Alberto Ponticelli.
Powers and abilities
- Superhuman strengthSuperhuman strengthSuperhuman strength, also called superstrength, super-strength, or super strength, is an ability commonly employed in fiction. It is the ability for a character to be stronger than humanly possible...
- Unliving and thus unkillable.
- Mental access to the S.H.A.D.E. database via a surgical implant.
Flashpoint
In the alternate timeline of the FlashpointFlashpoint (comics)
Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
event, Frankenstein was awakened during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and attacks Nazi soldiers to save Lt. Matthew Shrieve. Later, Frankenstein is invited by Project M
Project M
Project M may refer to:*Project M *Project M aka Creature Commandos from the DC Universe*Project M, the collective name for the companies developing Metroid: Other M*Project IC, immigration phenomenon in Malaysia...
to join the Creature Commandos
Creature Commandos
The Creature Commandos are a fictional DC Comics team of military superhumans originally set in World War II. The original team, created by J. M...
. Leading a raid with the Creature Commandos, Frankenstein personally killed Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
. After the end of World War II, however, Project M was deemed obsolete by Robert Crane
Robotman (Robert Crane)
Robotman is a Golden Age DC Comics superhero. He first appeared in Star-Spangled Comics #7 and was created by Jerry Siegel, the co-creator of Superman. Despite his name, Robotman is actually not a robot; he is a cyborg.-History:...
's government services. Frankenstein refuses to accept, but is subdued and put into stasis by the G.I. Robot
G.I. Robot
G.I. Robot is the name of a series of fictional robots that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics. The very first G.I. Robot, nicknamed Joe, first appeared in Star Spangled War Stories #101 , created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru, with a second one named Mac in Star Spangled War...
. Later, Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos revive and escape from their prison and discover they have been awakened over 65 years later. Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos travel to Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
, where Dr. Mazursky might live and believe him to be alive. The Creature Commandos found Dr. Mazursky's cabin, however they discover that Dr. Mazursky has moved to Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, when Creature Commandos are ultimately ambushed by Matthew Shrieve's granddaughter, Miranda and a group of soldiers. Frankenstein attacks the soldiers, but he was sprung by the G.I. Robot to be subdued again. Creature Commandos saved Frankenstein by tearing the G.I. Robot apart. During the attacks, Creature Commandos are saved by Frankenstein's wife, who is eventually alive. Bride explains to her husband that she is working as an agent of S.H.A.D.E.. Later, Frankenstein and the Creature Commandos then travel to Romainia with Miranda, who was being manipulated by General Sam Lane, who is revealed to be the one truly responsible for the deaths of Miranda's family. They arrive in Romania, where they found a small village populated by monsters. The village is then attacked by a giant G.I. Robot. After they destroy the G.I. Robot, Frankenstein, Bride and Miranda depart from the Creature Commandos and participate in the Atlantean/Amazon war.
Television
- Frankenstein appears in The World's Greatest Super FriendsThe World's Greatest Super FriendsThe World's Greatest Super Friends is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from September 22, 1979 to September 27, 1980 on ABC...
episode "The Super Friends Meet Frankenstein." He is one of the creations of Dr. Frankenstein (this one being a descendant of Victor Frankenstein) who uses his monsters to terrorize a local village.
External links
- Spawn of Frankenstein at the DCU Guide
- Frankenstein at the DCU Guide Wiki
- Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein annotations at BarbelithBarbelithBarbelith is an online forum, named after an element in the comic book series The Invisibles by Grant Morrison, initially conceived of as a space for the discussion of Morrison's works.-The Invisibles:...