22. Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel

By Mary Shelley (Published 2009 by Classical Comics)

I plan to read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein in the very near future and heard that author Kiersten White makes many references to Mary Shelley’s classic novel.  I had read Frankenstein ages ago, either in my teens or twenties, and didn’t want to re-read it again, so I had the brilliant idea of borrowing the graphic novel version from the library. 

 

I didn’t realize until I had finished it that there were two versions of the graphic novel:  Original Text and Quick Text.  Thankfully, I had read the version with the original, though still abridged, text.  Published in 2009, the graphic novel may be a little hard to find now.

 

I couldn’t relate to how incredibly stupid and self-centred Victor Frankenstein was.  I understand the major theme is about the folly of man, but still…

 

I suppose this mirrors life because in the real world, since time immemorial, or at least during humanity’s patriarchal history, there have been plenty of brilliant men who have made incredible innovations, but through some terrible weakness, ie. short-sightedness, greed, narcissism, etc. the invention had wrought more damage than good.  This is the core lesson of Frankenstein. 

It’s an epic tragedy.

 

In the source text, the character of Elizabeth Lanza is rather thinly drawn.  She loves Victor dearly, has a generous heart, and is self-sacrificing.  And she dies by the monster’s hands.  Apparently, the Elizabeth in Kiersten White’s retelling is not only a survivor, but is highly intelligent and calculating.   In a way, I’m glad I re-read the Frankenstein graphic novel as it not only heightened my enjoyment of The Dark Descent..., it was a factor in not seeing how the plot in White’s retelling would play out.