Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #14 Review

I’m really going to miss this book when it’s gone. Issue #14 is infused with the same strong balance of emotional gravity and comedic whimsy that Matt Kindt, Alberto Ponticelli, and Jeff Lemire have cultivated since the series’ instantiation. Take a trip with Frank on this bittersweet quest to save the world.

I’ve had my eye on Velcoro for some time, and this is his moment to shine. He gets a pretty decent character arc to go with a good deal of jocularity and a powerful watershed event. The banter between Frankenstein and Velcoro drives the issue and allows the book to find higher highs and lower lows.

The quest that he and Frankenstein are on is a bit more difficult to describe, though. The MacGuffin for which the two supernatural agents are looking certainly sounds like a big deal, but, being so separated from the happenings of Animal Man and Swamp Thing, it feels very parenthetical.

The storytelling is quite well done for the most part, with the aforementioned humor and drama spiriting the book onward. There is one noticeable wrinkle during the trip to the island, but it’s more of a minor complaint than anything a potentially derailing problem.

Ponticelli’s illustrations benefit the story a great deal, with the clearly-conveyed scale setting the stage for some jaw-dropping moments. The characters are given substantial detail that enhances the intensity of the fight scenes and keeps the eye busy, even on a second reading.

It’s easy to write off a lame duck title, especially when it’s playing a support role in a larger event; but, it would be a mistake to look past this month’s issue of Frankenstein.

Poet Mase is a regular contributor to IGN who is looking forward to next issue's showdown! Follow Poet on Twitter @PoetMase, or post a message on his IGN profile PoetMase.

Source : ign[dot]com

Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #0 Review

Frankenstein is a series I enjoyed as the New 52 relaunch kicked off but eventually fell behind on. Luckily, Matt Kindt's approach to issue #0 is one that welcomes new and lapsed readers. This completely standalone tale focuses on the creation of Victor Frankenstein's monster and the early battles that shaped him into the sword-slinging hero he is today.

Kindt works to subvert the original Frankenstein text a bit by portraying the inventor as a deranged, mad scientist and his creation as a noble hero from the beginning. I would have liked a bit more nuance in Victor's portrayal. While his vendetta against the monster is understandable, his personality is a bit one-note. Luckily, Frankenstein the monster is well-written and perfectly identifiable as the tragic lead. Readers are shown all they really need to know about the character over the course of the book, with some narration courtesy of Father Time to fill in the gaps. The script offers up just the right blend of tragedy and kooky monster action.

Alberto Ponticelli's artwork generally serves the script well. There were instances where a heavier use of blacks and shadows might have been beneficial. However, Ponticelli offers up an effective blend of moody settings and surreal character designs. The scenes set in the Amazon jungle stand out as particularly eye-catching.

I'm pleased to see that the series hasn't suffered from the shift in writers, and I may have to add Frankenstein to my regular slate of New 52 books once again.

Source : ign[dot]com