The complicating facts come in the form of a Frenchman named Fabre and his panoply of minions that are in pursuit of the titular character of Frankenstein Underground #1. Mignola plays on Frankenstein’s creature as a lost child very much in this issue. Her age is suggestive of wisdom while her gender ingratiates trust and an emotional connection. The elderly priestess in Frankenstein Underground #1 also steps easily into a maternal role in her, admittedly brief, relationship with the creature.

True, it’s a plot point derived directly from Mary Shelley’s classic tale, but it plays well in this issue and forges a fast bond between two outsider characters often spurned by the forces surrounding them.

Mayan mythology is well known for its human sacrifice and stories of resurrection and Mignola places an ally tied up in its threads for Frankenstein’s creature in the form of an elderly priestess more interested in seeing to his core without the use of his eyes than running from whatever outward image he presents. The question of life and its non-biological creation weighs heavily on Frankenstein Underground #1.

Mayan mythology plays a big part in this issue in particular and it both illuminates the character of Frankenstein’s creature and throws a light on the type of forces he may be up against in the coming issues. He explores the vast history of the character from his literary beginnings through a variety of mysticisms that have been popular throughout his work. Mike Mignola makes a very strong start with Frankenstein Underground #1.

Frankenstein underground