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Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Volume 1: Prodigal Son
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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
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Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
February 3rd 2009
by Del Rey/Dabel Brothers
(first published 2008)
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Start your review of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Volume 1: Prodigal Son

I do not like the original Frankenstein book. It bored me. I also do not like Koontz's books. So when a friend told me I "HAD" to read this re-imagining of the Frankenstein story, by Dean Koontz, I flatly refused. But my friend wouldn't stop nagging me about it, and once there were more books in the series out, she wore me down and I agreed to read the first book on the agreement that if I hated it, she would quit bugging me. She won!
This is absolutely one of the best books I've EVER read!! Once ...more
This is absolutely one of the best books I've EVER read!! Once ...more
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1614916030p2/15335689.jpg)
I went into this graphic novel so freaking excited, because I fully expected to love it. It's based off of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series, which I've read the first "version" of (if you're unfamiliar, it's a 5-book series, but Dean originally intended it as a trilogy, so I've only read the first 3 books). I digress - I really enjoyed the full novels, and thought it was such a creepy and interesting story with such fun and lovable characters.
Unfortunately, the graphic novel just really fell sh ...more
Unfortunately, the graphic novel just really fell sh ...more

Frankenstein's "monster" has been alive for over 200 years and he goes by the name Deucalion. He has been living at a Monastery until he finds out that Victor Frankenstein is still alive and continuing his evil work. Deucalion travels to New Orleans and teams up with Detectives Carson O'Connor and Michael Maddison to try to stop Victor.
Wow. This book is fantastic. Carson & Michael's banter can be a little annoying at times, but they are endearing enough to make up for it. Deucalion is fabulous a ...more
Wow. This book is fantastic. Carson & Michael's banter can be a little annoying at times, but they are endearing enough to make up for it. Deucalion is fabulous a ...more

I don't read graphic novels very often - almost ever, really. But I grabbed this from the library because I thought my teenage son might like it, and it would fulfill one of his requirements for the library's summer reading program. (And, having heard good things about Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series, I was curious.)
This book raises some interesting ideas about humanity, responsibility, and ethics. I enjoyed it enough that I've added the novel to my want-to-read list. ...more
This book raises some interesting ideas about humanity, responsibility, and ethics. I enjoyed it enough that I've added the novel to my want-to-read list. ...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 hubristi
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Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days
Pages - 496
Publisher - Harper Collins
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
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’Connor i ...more
Pages - 496
Publisher - Harper Collins
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
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’Connor i ...more

3+ I gave up reading Koontz 20+ years ago because he is too formulaic for me, though I read a ton of his early stuff. Whispers was the first book of his that I read, and it really got to me. I loved it, re-read it more than once, and has stayed with me. I heard good things about his recent works, so decided to read more of his work. I found this very engaging. It kept pulling me back in, and I enjoyed reading it. I will read the next next book.

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

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), & are pro ...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), & are pro ...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
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Nothing much I need to say here. Prodigal Son was a good novel and it translates pretty well here.
I can't really critique on the quality of the artwork. I can write, but if you put my visual art up against a grade schooler's, there's a good chance I would lose. The art seems more of the "Western superhero" kind rather than the Japanese graphic novel. I especially love the illustrations of Deucalion and my boy Randall Six!
My only criticism is that it's too short. I haven't read the novel version ...more
I can't really critique on the quality of the artwork. I can write, but if you put my visual art up against a grade schooler's, there's a good chance I would lose. The art seems more of the "Western superhero" kind rather than the Japanese graphic novel. I especially love the illustrations of Deucalion and my boy Randall Six!
My only criticism is that it's too short. I haven't read the novel version ...more

I have never rated a book (much less give it 5 stars) prior to completing it. Normally I mull over how I feel about any given book and rate it, most often, a star less than my decision. If I think it's 4 stars I'll give it 3 unless it's a 1 star book...those are face value. It may be incredibly rash of me but I really love this book. Koontz has such interesting points of view and is able to articulate his thoughts and opinions in a clear, concise manner...what more can a girl ask for? He even ma
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Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein, Prodigal Son, #1 by Chuck Dixon (adapter), Dean Koontz (author), Brett Booth (illustrator), et al. – This is the first volume of a very interesting and keenly illustrated graphic novel adaptation of Koontz’s Frankenstein Prodigal Son. It provides very interesting, mysterious and ruthless characters and much violent action. How can you go wrong with gruesome bodies with missing body parts and organs? I will be reading the other volumes.

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.
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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.
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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'm a big fan of Frankenstein and Dean Koontz, so reading this was a no-brainer. I really enjoyed the villain, Victor Helios... he is absolutely diabolical. It's hard not to be a fan of Frankenstein in this tale either! I look forward to reading more of this series. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Frankenstein... he lives on!
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This is a good graphic adaptation of the original novel by Dean Koontz & Kevin J. Anderson. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I would go on to the sequels, but they're not available from the library. Fortunately, I've read the original novels twice, so I do know what happens next and how the story eventually turns out.
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I read a lot of him when I was a teenager. I wouldn't now. It defeats the purpose of being ascended.
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I am going to start off by saying that this book has to be one of the best Frankenstein stories that have come along. The way that the writer took the old school caratcher and threw him into the present with a new feel and a new look. The writing in this one was awesome. It played out in a way that I’m sure will entertain both the old school Frankenstein fans and the new school horror lovers. With the addiction of the cops and the fact that in this incarnation Frankenstein and the monster are at
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The novel is superb but unfortunately, this graphic novel adaptation fails to live up to the same standard. I checked out both the novel and the comic from the library to experience what I read in a more visual media. To my dismay, I realized that this comic has no semblance of smooth transitions and it cuts out nuances that make each scene gripping. Most of the dialogue is copied and pasted, with very little context as only a few lines from each scene are adapted. The consequence of these issue
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I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I gave it a 3 because of the bonus story, I enjoyed that much more than the Frankenstein story. The illustrations were really good. To me the story was too rushed. I'm new to graphic novels, but I just feel that there is so much plot that needs to be explained in so little time. I think I am just going to read the books and give up on the graphic novels. The characters and plot seem that with development that it could be very good. Although it co
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"From the celebrated imagination of Dean Koontz comes a powerful reworking of one of the classic stories of all time. If you think you know the story, you only know half the truth. Get ready g I r the mystery, the myth, the terror, and th we magic of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein Prodigal Son."
This thrilling novel continues the story of Frankenstein and his monster 200 years later. While Frankenstein has discovered how to prolong his life and tries to create a New World order, the monster has learn ...more
This thrilling novel continues the story of Frankenstein and his monster 200 years later. While Frankenstein has discovered how to prolong his life and tries to create a New World order, the monster has learn ...more

*NOTE: I listened to this book via Audible. Probably a mistake as I find out there are graphics in the novel that I totally missed.
this is my first Dean Koontz novel and I really got into the characters. Deucalian, who was the original monster created by Dr Frankenstein, still lives and is on a mission to kill his 'master'. Victor Helios, aka Dr Frankenstein is the epitome of evil!!! The two detectives, Carson and Michael, are adorable together. Carson's brother has autism and seems to be the t ...more
this is my first Dean Koontz novel and I really got into the characters. Deucalian, who was the original monster created by Dr Frankenstein, still lives and is on a mission to kill his 'master'. Victor Helios, aka Dr Frankenstein is the epitome of evil!!! The two detectives, Carson and Michael, are adorable together. Carson's brother has autism and seems to be the t ...more

Dec 10, 2020
Nik
added it
I've been intrigued about this series for a while as I'm a big fan of the Frankenstein story and was interested how Koontz's version would go but I hadn't gotten to reading it before as most of his later work that I've read hasn't been great but I managed to get hold of the first two books in this series and I was pleasantly surprised.
This first book had me hooked from almost the first page and within a couple of days I'd finished it, quickly moving onto the second book...
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This first book had me hooked from almost the first page and within a couple of days I'd finished it, quickly moving onto the second book...
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I love to grab Koontz's books on tape to listen to on a road trip, so as I just left for another drive I was glad to see another Koontz book. This didn't disappoint me. Koontz can tie the gross and ugly together with good and beautiful! The episode of the old man and the dumby made me laugh right out loud :) and yet had tender moments....
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Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bes ...more
Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bes ...more
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