Frankenstein : The Graphic Novel: Quick Text Version

A full-color graphic novel adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, using streamlined text and vivid illustrations to support fast, accessible reading.

Conceived as part of a literary game among friends in 1816, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is today regarded as a classic work of nineteenth-century literature. The story begins with the journey of adventurer Robert Walton, who saves the life of a man at the North Pole. That man is Victor Frankenstein, who tells Walton about his experiments with the creation of life and how those experiments led him to the Arctic.

Through this layered narrative, Shelley explores serious real-world issues including acceptance, tolerance, understanding, companionship, love, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. This Quick Text edition presents the story in streamlined, accessible language alongside full-color sequential artwork, supporting classroom study, independent reading, and guided discussion.

Slightly abridged for the graphic novel format, this adaptation remains true to Shelley’s vision while helping readers follow the novel’s gothic atmosphere, moral questions, and enduring themes.

Mary Shelley was an English novelist best known for Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, first published in 1818. Written when Shelley was still a teenager, Frankenstein became one of the most influential works of gothic fiction and early science fiction. Her writing is known for its exploration of ambition, creation, responsibility, isolation, and the consequences of scientific discovery.

Jason Cobley was born in Devon, UK, and lives in Warwickshire, UK, with his family. He has worked in education for most of his adult life and has written extensively for adults and children. His work for Classical Comics includes script adaptations for Frankenstein, Dracula, and An Inspector Calls. He also wrote a study guide for Henry V - one of Classical Comics' classroom teaching resources, which are widely utilized in schools across the UK and US.

Irish-born Declan Shalvey’s naturally gothic linework style proved to be a perfect match for Classical Comics’ iconic horror and thriller adaptations of Frankenstein (working alongside Art Director Jon Haward) and then later Sweeney Todd. He lives in County Clare, Ireland.

Jon Haward was a British comic artist born in 1965 in Norwich, Norfolk, UK. He illustrated a great many well-known characters including Judge Dredd in 2000AD and The Amazing Spider-Man for Marvel. For Classical Comics he created characters and artwork for Macbeth and The Tempest and was art director for Frankenstein.

Kat Nicholson (now Kat Cardy) and Jason Cardy are Welsh comic book artists and colorists who have collaborated on a number of titles in the Classical Comics range including Frankenstein and Sweeney Todd. A Midsummer Night’s Dream was their first fully illustrated work.

Terry Wiley was a comics artist from Newcastle, UK. He lettered Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, and A Christmas Carol graphic novel adaptations for Classical Comics as well as creating and publishing his own material.

Joe Sutliff Sanders is a prominent children's literature scholar and an Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge. He is a former junior high school English teacher in Japan and he edited the American English text for four of Classical Comics’ US adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays as well as many classic texts in the series.

Clive Bryant is the founder of Classical Comics and has served as Editor-in-Chief for the series.

Jon Haward was a British comic artist born in 1965 in Norwich, Norfolk, UK. He illustrated a great many well-known characters including Judge Dredd in 2000AD and The Amazing Spider-Man for Marvel. For Classical Comics he created characters and artwork for Macbeth and The Tempest and was art director for Frankenstein.