Frankenstein (1945) 1

I don’t know about you, but I’m already anticipating Halloween. Closing out the month with Frankenstein Day just fuels the desire.

Yes, yes, this is supposed to be about the man, the myth, not the monster. But, it’s gonna be.

First, let’s look at the creation of both man and monster. It starts in the “Year Without a Summer” in 1816. The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora caused a long, cold volcanic winter. Like many, Mary Shelley, 18, and her lover and husband-to-be, Percy Bysche Shelley were vacationing in the Switzerland Alps by Lake Geneva.

As the log fire radiated warmth and comfort, the small group attempted to make themselves uncomfortable with French ghost stories from the book Fantasmagoriana. Host Lord Byron tasked his charges to write a ghost story of their own.

While spectral tales eluded her, Mary found herself focused on the possibility of a reanimated corpse. 

So began what she believed would be a short story. Percy Shelley encouraged her to bring not only the protagonist to life, but the yarn as well. What began as a day dream soon transformed into a full fledged novel.

Over time, the classic has been adapted into pretty much any medium imaginable. We’re concerned with its first foray into the four color world: Prize Comic’s Frankenstein.

The monster, now named Frankenstein, was first introduced to comic readers in Prize Comics issue seven in 1940. Writer Dick Briefer – using the non deplume Frank N. Stein – brought the good doctor’s creation into the 20th century setting him against the New York City backdrop. Helping with today’s confusion of monster and doctor, Briefer dubbed the monster Frankenstein.

Being a patriotic monster, Frankenstein joined America in its fight against the forces of evil in Europe during World War II. He would join with a female vampire and male zombie for the remainder of the conflict.

Following the war they would return to the states – New York City – and open a hotel for monsters.

Frankenstein (1945) 1

In 1945, the monster was given his own comic book. He would settle in a small town with neighbors Dracula, the wolfman and others of the creature ilk. This humorous take would last three years before Breifer returned the monster to his more horrific roots for three remainder of three title’s run that ended with issue 33 in November of 1949.

Frankenstein Day is celebrated Aug. 30 each year in honor his creator’s birthday. Commemorate with some Universal horror, Hammer color or some simple vintage four color.

Today is not to be confused with National Frankenstein Day celebrated Oct. 31.