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42nd out of 66 books
—
63 voters
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Volume 1: Prodigal Son
In the nineteenth century, Dr. Victor Frankenstein brought his notorious creation to life, but a horrible turn of events forced him to abandon it and slip away from the public eye. Two centuries later, a serial killer is on the loose in New Orleans, gruesomely salvaging body parts from each of his victims, as if trying to assemble a perfect human being.
Detective Carson O’...more
Detective Carson O’...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
February 3rd 2009
by Del Rey/Dabel Brothers
(first published 2008)
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This is my review of the whole series.
for me Koontz is "Stephen King for grownups"
This series picks up an alternate reality to Shelley's novel about the creation of a new man by a mad scientist.
In this one, Dr. Frankenstein lives on, &, through funding by various megalomaniacs through the ages, & his discovery of a means to personal longevity, has perfected his new race & the assembly line type system for creating these new humans, who self-heal, have no emotions(when no malfunctions...more
for me Koontz is "Stephen King for grownups"
This series picks up an alternate reality to Shelley's novel about the creation of a new man by a mad scientist.
In this one, Dr. Frankenstein lives on, &, through funding by various megalomaniacs through the ages, & his discovery of a means to personal longevity, has perfected his new race & the assembly line type system for creating these new humans, who self-heal, have no emotions(when no malfunctions...more
I am kinda surprised I had not heard of Koontz’s Frankenstein series before. I am a big, big fan of the original. I was excited to read it. However, the first book is very disappointing.
I don’t think I have read Koontz before. I am not big on pop lit. It’s a page turner for sure, the pacing from the gate is high. But I found it predictable and lacking any depth.
Spoiler alert: Who could not see that one of the other detectives would be dirty? Who could not see the we’re-partners-but-secretly-lo...more
I don’t think I have read Koontz before. I am not big on pop lit. It’s a page turner for sure, the pacing from the gate is high. But I found it predictable and lacking any depth.
Spoiler alert: Who could not see that one of the other detectives would be dirty? Who could not see the we’re-partners-but-secretly-lo...more
The graphic novel is based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Dean Koontz & Kevin J. Anderson. This is my first read on a Koontz work and I really enjoyed it. His update on the old story just fit together so well and made so much sense it was hard not to enjoy it. I want to share with you a few pieces of the graphic novel that I really enjoyed. Here is Dean Koontz from the intro: ”This is why it seemed to me appropriate to update the Frankenstein legend to our time. We live in a hubr...more
Frankenstein: Prodigal Son Volume 1 is a graphic novel adaptation of a Dean Koontz novel which updates Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to contemporary New Orleans. Almost two hundred years after his creation, Deucalion comes to the Crescent City in search for his creator while a mysterious serial killer seems to be collecting body parts from his victims. Meanwhile in a former hospital, Victor Frankenstein (now known as Victor Helios) quietly builds an army of super humans for a future war that will...more
This awkward retelling of Frankenstein moves the story forward into the modern world by using the device of Deucalion, who was supposedly Dr. Frankenstein's creature and has lived through time. The story begins when he's in an Eastern monastery and then a letter takes him to New Orleans where the story slips into the rather cliched realm of genetic manipulation and serial killers to portray what has happened to Dr. Frankenstein. Due to the violence that is shown in this story, it would only be a...more
I had heard of the book (the novel this is based on), but I did not give it much thought, figuring it was just another Frankenstein remake or such. I picked up the graphic novel on a whim, and I am glad I did. This is not just a remake, but a very thoughtful look at the classic in a new way. It is framed as a mystery/detective story, but it has a lot more. Who are the detectives really chasing? The homicidal serial killer, or the doctor who made him? And what does Deucalion, the mysterious tatto...more
Koontz is so good that he makes writing break-neck paced thrillers look easy. He can pack a description of an entire setting into five words, like a poet.
This book began as a TV script and that heritage shows. Though he sketches in several appealing characters, there are so many to follow and the snippet from each character's POV is so short, you don't really have time to get involved with the leads and root hard for them. That leaves it all up to pace to carry the story.
Koontz loves the notion...more
This book began as a TV script and that heritage shows. Though he sketches in several appealing characters, there are so many to follow and the snippet from each character's POV is so short, you don't really have time to get involved with the leads and root hard for them. That leaves it all up to pace to carry the story.
Koontz loves the notion...more
This book does not transition from setting the stage to playing out the plot very well. The first half of this book is refreshing, surprising, and well paced. But the second half gets bogged down with reminders, random useless stuff, and minor stretching of the mythology set up in the first half.
Regardless of giving only 3 stars, I think this book is worth reading. This is especially true if you like fast-paced storytelling with major plot developments occurring often. The writing style is only...more
Regardless of giving only 3 stars, I think this book is worth reading. This is especially true if you like fast-paced storytelling with major plot developments occurring often. The writing style is only...more
This was seriously bad.
I had liked the book version so I was curious on what the graphic novel looked like. The beginning was promising at least. So the drawings were a little discouraging, but it was detailed. As I progressed though, I realized that, if you didn't read the book before you read this, you wouldn't understand a lot of things. Some of the things in the book weren't portrayed properly or weren't portrayed at all. The graphic novel has holes in them and appears rushed.
I recommend you...more
I had liked the book version so I was curious on what the graphic novel looked like. The beginning was promising at least. So the drawings were a little discouraging, but it was detailed. As I progressed though, I realized that, if you didn't read the book before you read this, you wouldn't understand a lot of things. Some of the things in the book weren't portrayed properly or weren't portrayed at all. The graphic novel has holes in them and appears rushed.
I recommend you...more
Solid, but nothing really amazing. The mad scientist routine is a little outdated--and, yeah, I know this is a "retelling" of Frankenstein, but it's actually the same character--Victor Frankenstein, so you can't really expect much new other than test tubes and genesplicing instead of grave robbing. But the plot line was interesting enough, and the serial killer angle kept me engaged.
Also, this book shouldn't exist by itself, because it has NO resolution. And the art is horrid.
Also, this book shouldn't exist by itself, because it has NO resolution. And the art is horrid.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I was thoroughly impressed by this graphic novel. It prompted me to go out and by the rest of the novel series, I had the first two already, and to dive right in to the first novel.
Its a brilliant interpretation of the frankenstein story with interesting and captivating characters, although I must admit that I loved the Carson character more once I started reading the first novel. Any fans of the series, of frankenstein, or Dean Koontz in general should pick this up
Its a brilliant interpretation of the frankenstein story with interesting and captivating characters, although I must admit that I loved the Carson character more once I started reading the first novel. Any fans of the series, of frankenstein, or Dean Koontz in general should pick this up
Writer Dean Koontz tackles a modern-day twist on the Frankenstein mythos. The "monster," Deucalion, is a scarred being studying with monks - until a letter from an old friend sends him back on the road to track down his creator. The idea of Victor as a body shop scientist looking to create a perfect utopia is great - the tortured protagonist is still a shadow of a character. We'll need to see more before we can consider Koontz's interpretation a success.
This was a really great graphic novel. It is defiantly not for anyone but adults. I absolutely love the concept. Its a total different way of looking at Dr. Frankenstein. Not sure why so many people think that the monster is Frankenstein, but he isn't. I haven't read the books yet, but they are on my to be read list. If you like Dean Koontz or even the Frankenstein series, I would defiantly check out the graphic novel.
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This is not the version of the book I read, but it seemed to be the closes I could come, and I cannot find a way to delete books from my bookshelf. This is a graphic novel that was based on the book I read (which see). I am not that fond of graphic novels, so I have dropped this to one star; if I ever come across it and change my mind, I'll upgrade the rating accordingly .
gorgeous artwork, surreal storytelling (as expected by the great not-so-late Dean Koontz), and witty dialogue, plus an extra written by Koontz just for this collection, make this great. but I haven't read the source material, so i'm ill-equipped to critique.
*spoiler alert*
the ending left me with a lot of questions, though. there, i said it.
*spoiler alert*
*spoiler alert*
the ending left me with a lot of questions, though. there, i said it.
*spoiler alert*
The problem with this graphic novel is that it has to condense a much more detailed story into a much shorter format. Entire chapters are shortened to single pages so the story moves along way to fast. The story looses its suspense and character development which is too bad. The art was really good but too much of the story was left out.
Great story and amazing art combine to make this a must read for fans of the supernatural. Koontz takes Shelly's original story and updates it for the 21st Century. Gotta love Frankenstein's monster (note: the monster is NOT named "Frankenstein") hanging out in a Buddhist monastery near the Himalayan mountains as a story opener.
I had never read any of Dean Koontz's books until now. Incredibly creative and beautifully descriptive language. "She was wound up tighter than a dreadlock"! I like the way this book reworks the "who is the monster" question. I'm having a hard time finding the sequel but when I do, it's going to be another fast and great read.
This book is an interesting and modern twist on an old story. I found the book to be engrossing and very entertaining. There were numerous characters and sub plots that were woven together nicely. The author also explores the human mind and the source of happiness. I definitely plan on reading more books from this series.
I haven't read Koontz in many years and saw this graphic novel while looking for another one at a local library. Curiosity got the best of me. I don't regret picking this up. It was interesting enough to make me check out the novel...
I'm sure I've read worse comic books than this, but I can't seem to think of any at the moment.
Here's almost a thousand words on how bad it is:
http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/01/...
Here's almost a thousand words on how bad it is:
http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/01/...
Stumbled across this book in a used book store downtown. Like this adaption. They trimmed it down a bit for the format, but overall it's a good start. Haven't seen the second volume anywhere. Wondering when it's coming out.
The premise that a 200 year old monster is still alive is easier to accept than new creations are perfectly grown with brains that can be exactly downloaded with any information of Victor's design. I was let down by the fate of the copy-cat murderer. He had a rich background but seemed under-used and only served one purpose. I did liked the contrast between the hideous "monster" that is mentally stable and moral with the beautiful, unstable and immoral new creations. I hope Koontz doesn't miss t...more
Jul 05, 2010
Pamela Zimny
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone looking for an entertaining, fun book to read
Recommended to Pamela by:
Ann U.
This is a fun and creative new take on the classic Frankenstein story by Mary Shelley. Definitely not classic literature, but a great summer read, and I'm looking forward to breezing through the next three.
I read this a while back & followed it with the rest of his Frankenstein series. Koontz never lets a reader down. A great new take on the Frankenstein mythology. Read it, you'll like it!
Being a huge Dean Koontz fan, I have to say that I loved this re-telling of the classic story. He gives the monster a rich depth of character that draws you in. Excellent, fun read.
This book was awkward, but I couldn't put it down. It reminded me of Stephen Kings Creepshow. After reading this, I'd love to see a movie directors take on this. Very curious.
Read it for my Frankenstein Adaptations class (I know, my life is SO hard). I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I think his translation of the Frankenstein tale into an urban sci-fi setting actually...worked. Hmmm.
Nothing much I need to say here. Prodigal Son was a good novel and it translates pretty well here. I especially love the illustrations of Deucalion and my boy Randall Six!
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Charles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to w...more
More about Chuck Dixon...
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to w...more
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