Skybound’s foray into the dark world of Universal Monsters has been a frightening success with fans and critics alike.
After new stories featuring Dracula and the Creature From the Black Lagoon rose to the surface, artist and writer Michael Walsh was tapped to take on the patron saint of Halloween himself: Frankenstein.
Walsh’s new series imagines the classic Universal film’s story through the lens of a grieving boy who witnesses Henry Frankenstein’s ghoulish pursuit of parts, including the hands of his deceased father.
What follows is a unique and transformative story of anguish and revenge, set against one of the most revered backdrops in film history.
We spoke to Walsh about his creative choices and how he got his story to fit into the already established puzzle pieces of James Whale’s Frankenstein in this exclusive interview.
How did you become involved with Skybound’s Frankenstein?
Michael Walsh: The editor, Alex Antone, and I had previously worked together on some Creepshow comics at Skybound. We shared many of the same sensibilities and enjoyed working together, so when Creepshow was completed, we started chatting about future projects, and everything fell into place.
Taking on one of the most recognizable characters in the world is no easy task. What was the genesis of your story and why did you place the grieving little boy at the center of Frankenstein?
Walsh: I really wanted to tell the story from the perspective of a new character, original to my expansion and re-imagining of the 1931 film. Seeing the monster’s creation from the eyes of an innocent and naïve child adds a new dimension to the story and incites the reader to see Doctor Frankenstein himself in a whole new light. I wanted to introduce a sense of drama and unpredictability for people who have already seen the movie.
Fans of the original film and the Universal Monsters will easily recognize many scenes/images. Which one of the scenes/image was most exciting to bring to life, and did it come with extra pressure, personal expectations?
Walsh: I had a blast with the iconic daisy scene. It’s such a beautiful and tragic moment, so finding the balance there was an exciting challenge.
You place the little boy just “off-screen” in the first issue. In terms of the art and story, did you find it difficult to hide him, so to speak?
Walsh: I did! I watched the original film countless times to make sure all the pieces from the comic fit perfectly in between frames. It helped that most of the film was shot on sets, so we never got a full view of any space. It left me room to move around in the dark corners of the lab.
The story ends with the terrifying insertion of Fritz into the boy’s story. Fritz (and later Karl in Bride of Frankenstein) is a character ripe for examination due to his memorable, but limited presence in the film(s). How did you interpret this character in the comic?
Walsh: Fritz is another tragic character who has been twisted by a lifetime of abuse. He is desperately searching for a purpose, a home, and a way to accumulate power. We’ll see more of his story in issue 2!
You worked with some phenomenal writers on the Silver Coin horror anthology. What did you learn from them about storytelling and horror stories in particular?
Walsh: Horror is a fascinating genre because it is so varied and broad. Working with such a vast pool of talented writers really reinforced how personal horror is and how different each writer’s perspectives on the subject are.
Upcoming projects?
Walsh: I’ve been swamped! I’ve got two exciting projects releasing on October 23. The first is Nullhunter—a cyberpunk re-imagining of the 12 labors of Hercules with artist Gustaffo Vargas. The second is The Sacred Damned, a new horror one-shot with writer Sabir Pirzada that follows the exploits of a Muslim exorcist. Besides those, Silver Coin will be returning with another arc next year, AND I’ve got an exciting new creator-owned series in production with one of the most prominent and talented writers in the game. Stay tuned to my socials for more announcements soon.
Universal Monsters: Frankenstein #1 will be available at your local comic shop on August 28.
