With a lycanthropic infection spreading through his patchwork body, Frankenstein's Monster is in a race against time before what's left of his humanity is lost forever to a full moon fever in the new graphic novella Werewolf Frankenstein. Written by Chris Robinson and featuring eye-catching artwork by Marc Yarza, Werewolf Frankenstein #1 is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter (which runs until September 1st), and Daily Dead recently caught up with Robinson to discuss giving a unique twist to classic monsters (including Invisible Dracula), working with Yarza to bring Werewolf Frankenstein to life with an energetic style, the exciting perks that supporters of the Kickstarter can look forward to, and he also teases the upcoming sequel The Bride of Werewolf Frankenstein!
You can read our full Q&A with Chris and see Frankenstein's Monster on a quest for a cure in our exclusive (and explosive) preview pages below, and to learn more and support Werewolf Frankenstein, be sure to visit the graphic novella's official Kickstarter page!
Thank you for taking the time to answer questions for us, Chris, and congratulations on your new graphic novella Werewolf Frankenstein #1. How and when did you initially come up with the idea for this story?
Chris Robinson: Back in 2022, I came across the poster for Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man and that really captivated me. I imagined a truly epic tussle! But as fun as the fight is, I was more intrigued by everything that comes after. The idea that Frankenstein’s undead flesh would be susceptible to lycanthropy, what lengths he would go to cure himself, how much more painful that loss of humanity is for him over a regular human becoming a werewolf—that was the real story to me. So, I went back to the book as my foundation, created my own lore on top, and I had a full table set for drama!
I love how you blend lycanthropy with Frankenstein’s Monster in this graphic novella, giving a unique spin to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the world of Universal Monsters. Have you been a longtime fan of Shelley’s classic novel and the movies featuring the Universal Monsters?
Chris Robinson: Of course! I read the book in high school as probably the easiest assignment I’ve ever gotten, but the movies had been in my life since single digit childhood. Somewhere in my parents’ house is a photo of 7-year-old me in a homemade Frankenstein costume for Halloween. I used aluminum foil to make the bolts and construction paper as a choker to hold them together—LOTS of glue.
Both vibrant and gothic, Marc Yarza’s artwork for Werewolf Frankenstein #1 really pulsates off the page. What was it about Marc and his distinct visual style that made him the perfect fit to team up with for this story?
Chris Robinson: In 2021, I was editing a digital comic called DRAC: SON OF DANTE, which is a contemporary reimagining of the Dracula mythos. Marc was one of the artists on that project and I was really struck by the energy of his line art. I had seen similar energy when I was a Marvel editor and watched the careers of those artists take off in a big way. I see a similar trajectory for Marc. There will be a day when WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN is just a footnote in his Big Two career.
Werewolf Frankenstein is currently enjoying a successful crowdfunding run on Kickstarter. What types of stretch goals and perks can fans look forward to, and what has it been like to see all of the support you’ve received so far for Werewolf Frankenstein?
Chris Robinson: Yes, we’ve already hit the first funding goal but there are stretch goals! I sort of baked-in the concept of stretch goals with an expanding set of tarot-sized sketch cards—more backers equals more sketch cards for everybody that wants them. Currently, backers are getting cards by David Baldeon, Victor Ibañez, JJ Lopez, MutatedEye, and Odysseas Theodoratos—we are 40 backers away from adding a sixth card by a very cool artist. There are also bonus pins and stickers if we hit monetary goals, but the biggest and most exciting stretch goal is an illustrated poster that all backers will receive if we hit $8k.
In addition to Frankenstein’s Monster and Selene the wolfwoman, readers will also meet Invisible Dracula in Werewolf Frankenstein #1. What can readers expect from your unique take on Dracula, and do you have any other monster mashes in mind for future issues?
Chris Robinson: Absolutely! Once WewoFrank was set up with story architecture around him, I knew I had to see what we could do with other horror mashups. Invisible Dracula is a schemer and he’s playing the long game. Readers will have a better idea of what he’s after by the end of this issue, but it’ll take a few more installments before he is fully revealed. If we do as many of these comics as I’m hoping we can, you’ll see mashups of every universally beloved horror icon represented.
Even though Werewolf Frankenstein is a standalone graphic novella, do you have future issues planned to continue this story? This seems like such an expansive supernatural sandbox to play in as a writer.
Chris Robinson: Short answer: YES! How about an exclusive? The next place you’ll see WewoFrank is in THE BRIDE OF WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN, in time for Halloween 2024.
Ultimately, what do you hope readers take away from Werewolf Frankenstein #1?
Chris Robinson: On the surface, I hope readers are entertained and feel like it was worth the price of admission. But deeper than that, I hope they feel empathy for this guy. That was my challenge—the action, the jump scares, those are easy—but if I make you see yourself in this undead man-wolf, then I really feel like I accomplished something.
What advice would you give to aspiring comic book writers who are just getting started?
Chris Robinson: Start small. Write one self-contained page, collaborate with artists to make it, then put it out online and see how readers respond. That’s sound advice a lot of people give.
In addition to Werewolf Frankenstein, do you have any other projects coming up that you can tease? Also, where can our readers go online to keep up to date on your work?
Chris Robinson: I mentioned our planned BRIDE sequel, but my next kickstarter launches on Presidents' Day next year, with something very very different (and possibly controversial?). Visit my website crob.info or better yet, back WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN for a buck and you’ll be added to my Kickstarter mailing list where I do most of my communication anyway. You’ll see how quickly this campaign is fulfilled and be alerted of my future launches.
Thank you for your time, Chris!
Chris Robinson: Thank YOU!!!
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Get ready for an horrifying fusion of classic monsters and gripping storytelling as WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN #1 makes its terrifying debut on August 1st, 2023!
In observance of August’s dual full moons, acclaimed editor and writer Chris Robinson (Marvel) is debuting WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN #1, the premiere issue of a new original character from rising star artist Marc Yarza (Zenescope), colorist Steve Canon (Scout Comics), and letterer DC Hopkins (DC Comics).
When Frankenstein’s Monster is bitten by a lycanthrope, he’s afflicted by the same curse–but because of his patchwork body, the change is not complete…he’s a Werewolf Frankenstein! Time is running out as lycanthropy spreads from limb to limb, organ to organ—before it eventually infects his brain and his humanity is lost for good! And what of Selene, the wolfwoman who needs Frankenstein’s allegiance? Meanwhile, Invisible Dracula has designs on both of them!
WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN #1 features covers by Raymond Gay & Daniel M. Chavez (Spawn), Davi Go (Moon Knight: City of the Dead), and Rahzzah (Black Panther); and limited edition tarot card-size art prints by surprise artists, to be announced during the campaign.
Copies from the limited first printing of WEREWOLF FRANKENSTEIN #1 will be available only through Kickstarter from full moon to full moon, August 1, 2023 to September 1, 2023. Horror enthusiasts, comics fans, and collectors can preorder their copy and be one of the first to experience this collision of classic monsters, years in the making.
Main Cover Art by Raymond Gay & Daniel M. Chavez:
Alternate Cover Art by Davi Go:
Variant Cover Art by Rahzzah:
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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