An Introduction to Junji Ito’s “Frankenstein”

Junji Ito’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s #Frankenstein was published in English in 2018 and won an Eisner Award for “Best Adaptation from Another Medium.” It’s both a faithful & idiosyncratic adaptation, showcasing Ito’s mastery of horror storytelling within the comics medium. 1/8 #Frankenstein

Ito’s work often employs body horror, showcasing strange, frightening, unexpected physical transformations. Body horror has its roots in Gothic literature; Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” which uses the conceit of reanimated flesh to generate both physical & psychological horror, is an early example. 2/8

Ito also has an affinity for cosmic horror, citing writer H.P. Lovecraft and mangaka (manga artist) Shigeru Mizuki as influences. Cosmic horror tends to downplay gore in favor of emphasizing existential horrors, namely, the horror of the unknowable & incomprehensible. 3/8

In Ito’s adaptation of “Frankenstein,” body horror and cosmic horror exist in productive tension. We experience cosmic horror through Victor Frankenstein’s series of psychological breakdowns, which are punctured (and inspired) by intense, but judiciously brief, moments of body horror. 4/8

Unlike Shelley, who only sparsely recounts the Creature’s physical features and process of creation, Ito, who studied to become a dental technician before becoming a full-time mangaka, leans into a fascination with minute physical details, amplified by framing and well-placed sound effects. 5/8

While Shelley’s Creature is highly articulate, following the lead of James Whale’s 1931 film, many “Frankenstein” adaptations render the Creature mute. Ito returns the Creature’s voice but pairs it with a grotesque appearance that challenges readerly empathy, creating more productive tensions. 6/8

Ito’s other major departure from the original story is the inclusion of the Creature’s Bride. In Shelley’s novel, Victor creates the Bride but destroys her rather than bring her to life. Ito’s version shows the influence of Whale’s filmic sequel “The Bride of Frankenstein,” but with a twist. 7/8

Both on its own and in conversation with the original novel and its many adaptations, Junji Ito’s “Frankenstein” is a rich text that can help us reexamine the story’s well-known themes and see its monsters in new lights. In the weeks ahead, we’ll do precisely that. Stay tuned! 8/8