Junji Ito's Frankenstein - Longbox of the Damned

Longbox of the Damned is a daily series throughout October where the ghoul Moarte talks about horror comics!
Junji Ito (Uzumaki, Gyo, your nightmares) gives his own spin on the classic tale of Frankenstein!
02/31
atopthefourthwall.com
#LOTD #halloween #Junjiito

[@CthulhuianBunny]

While I do like that Junji Ito is kinda the only person who's ever depicted the monster the way he is described in the book (the wrinkled mummy-like face and the milky white eyes in particular), I prefer the quiet dignity of the monster when he lays eyes upon Victor's dead body from the source material.

[@Avigorus]

Awesome name

[@greatsayain]

It's been a while since I read it but i distinctly remember the creature being described as handsome. Skin stretched a bit far for his frame but otherwise handsome and with long black hair. Not hideous. My english teacher would also reprimand us if we called him the Monster. Hence me calling him the Creature as that has no moral connotation.

[@CthulhuianBunny]

@@greatsayain Straight from the book itself, second paragraph of Chapter 5: "His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips." And a bit later: "No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch. I had gazed on him while unfinished; he was ugly then, but when those muscles and joints were rendered capable of motion, it became a thing such as even Dante could not have conceived." So while Victor may have thought the creature as beautiful, it seems to have only been during the process of its creation/construction.

[@Werewolf_Korra]

Exactly. Junji's version is too right-wing for my taste. The point of the book is that the monster and his creation constantly hurt each other. Victor is a bratty college student with a God complex. Light Yagami with a sewing kit. He purposefully spites the creature by ripping apart his bride. Changing that casts the Creature as solely the villain.

[@CthulhuianBunny]

@@Werewolf_Korra Why are you replying to my comment, then? I agree with you. I prefer the book to this manga. I know there are other comments on this video that say the exact opposite, calling it a masterpiece and "better than the original". My only praise was how faithful Junji Ito was to the monster's description in the source material.

[@LaNoLaCola]

Who else would be up for Junji Ito remakes/reinterpretations of horror stories?

[@WTFisTingispingis]

ME

[@TheProfessor529]

Imagine him doing 'The Shadow Over Innsmouth'.

[@juliagoodwin3461]

Anyone else want to see his take on “The Thing” or “The Fly”?

[@simonhassnilsson7009]

@@juliagoodwin3461 good god yes!, or maybe, creature from the Black lagoon, Dracula, The wolfman, the mummy, Island of Dr Moreaue or the works of Edgar Allan Poe

[@SpedeVesku]

Imagine what his Freddy Krueger would look like O_o

[@natesmagiccorner]

I love the changes to the ending- by having Frankenstein complete the bride, it makes him so much more sympathetic to the reader; he TRIES to repair what he has done, but the attempt further destroys him. Absolutely fantastic. (also, it is so good to hear from Moarte again.)

[@JaguarCats]

At the end of Frankenstein's story, he reveals that when the monster finds his dead body, this time he wont' laugh, he'll cry. For he was his maker. He was the only one who could had ever loved him.

[@WTFisTingispingis]

My god, the reveal of Frankenstein...I got chills.

[@mst3kharris]

I just want to remind everyone that Mary Shelley was twenty-one when “Frankenstein” was first published.

[@adeadphish7931]

Leave it to Junji Ito to take a classic horror story, adapt it mostly faithful to the original and infuse it with new layer of nightmare fuel and even new elements of the story that gel very well into it. Also, after years of Longbox, I think Junji Ito and Waltz no. 2 are inseperable for me now

[@DawnOfTheOzz]

Ah, good ol' Junji Ito. Master of modern day existential horror.

[@jesternario]

Knowledge is knowing Frankenstein isn't the monster. Wisdom is knowing Frankenstein is the monster. Being a snarky a--hole is pointing out that in the book, Frankenstein named the monster Adam Frankenstein, and thus both of them are Frankenstein.

[@NintendoHighSchool]

IT IS PRONOUNCED FRANKEN-STEEN

[@jesternario]

@@NintendoHighSchool Is it also pronounced Frodrick?

[@jodhod1498]

Did he?

[@jodhod1498]

No. I just checked. That is completely made up for the sake of being a snarky asshole.

[@TheMadwomen]

Team Rocket If that’s true, then I’m Eyegor

[@FabledHeroes3351]

This Video...... IS ALIVE!!!!!!

[@gtsgreatteacherscathach5550]

Leave it to Junji Ito to add new horrifying life to a classic horror story with a few twists while also being faithful for the most part.

[@Gojiragon]

While I DO prefer how the novel handles the female creature, I do REALLY want to own this adaptation... though someday, I want one where the monster more looks like how it was depicted when it was first made: without stitches, yellow eyes and skin with long black hair and black lips, like it was decaying... basically a sickly Mickey Rourke. Actually, he’d be perfect for the role.

[@LupineShadowOmega]

I'd suggest Rory Kinnear as The Creature in the Penny Dreadful series. I thought he was outstanding and that physical description sounds rather similar to how he appears. Though his skin is milky rather than jaundiced.

[@m3rrys0ngstr3ss]

An Ito adaptation of Frankenstein? AWESOME. Moarte, my darling ghoul, it's so good to see you again!

[@TheSpiralCurse]

This video pleases me for obvious reasons Also glad to see Ito get an Eisner award for this, though it feels like Leo finally getting his Oscar for Revenant. It's deserved yes but other things would have been more so

[@Popcultureguy3000]

But you have to admit, to get an Eisner for *AN* *ADAPTATION* in this day and age where there is no shortage of good new horror comics is a pretty spectacular feat.

[@skorn8112]

Junji ito is an amazing artist Thank you for spotlighting his masterpieces Moarte

[@billuraral1870]

An interesting change from the book is the timing of the monster's return. In the book, Victor caught a glimpse of him before the trial, and put two and two together. And yet, he let the maid get hanged out of fear of sounding crazy or guilty. In the manga, he gets that glimpse after everything is said and done, making him more blameless or less monstrous, if you will. The monster, in the other hand, gets worse. In the book, he approached William thinking he could make a companion by him, thinking he's way too young to know uglinnes. He only kills him upon learning he's Frankenstein's brother. Still an unforgivible crime, but with a different motive.

[@TitaniaBird]

1:32 Ah yes, Echidna, patron goddess of Angel Island. I think there's one resident of that particular island who's a paladin of Echidna, likes to punch things, knows how to glide, doesn't chuckle.

[@dinsting]

I so want to read this right now.... you just convinced me to look for it.

[@Rixec2]

Nice, two days in and we got a Junji Ito story. A master of fear, where chills and screams are etched into every line.

[@tyrant-den884]

among the best's best.

[@Cameroo]

I love the passion and fun you bring to this series. Thanks for continuing the series!

[@ShoppingBored]

I like how Junji ito tries to answer the questions like what if victor completed the bride and told henry. Though it didn't change anything it's a nice touch to the curiousity of what if. I'm also happy he didn't use the lightning cliche like in most movies lol.

[@SchazmenRassir]

Honestly, it should've been obvious sooner, but... Junji Ito really is great for a story like this. Really gets the corpse-like appearance of the Monster and Bride to look... well, horrifying.

[@redtutel]

I got this book from the library! This is the first time I read something featured on the Longbox!

[@Jackie-McCann]

Be careful, KZbin’s been bringing down the copyright hammer HARD lately regarding Junji Ito stuff. One of my favorite channels got deleted because of it!

[@TheMadwomen]

I think it may have something to do with the fact that Adult Swim is adapting his most famous work. What channel got deleted?

[@dr.velious5411]

@@TheMadwomen Almost definitely.

[@jodhod1498]

Which channel was it?

[@Jackie-McCann]

donutmaster437 Horror Show Mickey. He did these amazing readings of some of Junji Ito’s work.

[@jodhod1498]

@@Jackie-McCann Horror Show Mickey? I like the guy, but wasn't he basically stealing the work? Narrations without permission are a big deal in the Nosleep community, and are definitely looked down on as illegal.

[@dynamicjaethought7788]

From the Land Of The Rising Sun, comes the Rod Sterling of manga...Junji Ito

[@rebornkusabi7264]

Junji Ito's artwork is so fucking good. That's all- I just love his artwork and what he did here for Frankenstein is proof of that.

[@WillKeaton]

Never tuned into a Longbox of the Damned before, but a Frankenstein adaptation done by Juni Ito? Yes please! Now I think I just might watch every other episode this month, because these are good, and also bite-sized for convenience.

[@HalloranIllustrations]

That looks like a Spooktacularly amazingly chilling book.

[@Kite562bookishreviews]

I just got done reading this adaptation yesterday. A really enjoyable and memorable read for me! Great review! ^_^

[@Krillinjustchillin]

What a fun channel!

[@brendakrieger7000]

So much fun🎃

[@madisonwaycaster9832]

I was magically summoned here by the mention of Junji Ito

[@bthsr7113]

Nice to see some love for ol' Echidna.

[@mercenaryknight5419]

Junji Ito takes a stylized effective rendition here.

[@Foxwarrior88]

I actually have this at the college library that I work at! I may actually check it out now!

[@grantmoore8228]

This is such an interesting adaptation. I've only read the first book but I've always assumed that the monster world continue to "live" in some way after Dr. Frankenstein died, either with other people or in his own isolation. In this story it seems like it's accepting death in the coldest of natures...there's something so oddly beautiful yet tragic about that.

[@bthsr7113]

I've heard that in the classic novel, the creation was actually a magnificent specimen, with only eyes seeming wrong, but they were extremely wrong.

[@cheezeofages]

What a coincidence I was recently going to start looking into this comic after hearing about it.

[@FandomRider]

True, Junji Ito can draw a horrific monster really well... which makes it weird he adapted the Frankenstein novel, since in the novel the monster is described as good-looking.

[@JaelinBezel]

Your FACE is described as good-looking!

[@mst3kharris]

Parts of the creature are good-looking-he has pearly teeth and lustrous hair-but the whole is monstrous.

[@erikdeusenberry5307]

Number 400 also all hail the longbox bringing only quality scares to Halloween.

[@bunkerzero]

I have this book! It is true art and another reason why junji Ito is a master of horror!

[@michaelrhett4958]

I wonder what Morte does when it isn't October. Watch TV? Play video games? Play with Linkara's kitties when he isn't looking?

[@SomeRandomJackAss]

If you like this kind of manga adaptation of horror literature, Gou Tanabe has adapted a few of Lovecraft's stories, including At The Mountains Of Madness.

[@thespaceace8164]

Overall, even from the beginning, it seems this version sought to make Victor more sympathetic and the monster less so. In the book, he knew his creation was the culprit before the trial, but did nothing as an innocent woman (whom he knew personally) was killed. He also wasn't ugly as many adaptations portray him but beautiful with a few, key unsettling features which contrast to make him horrifying. There are, of course, other differences, but I thought it'd be fun to note these :D

[@TheNukaColaMan10]

Oi linkara, are you excited about the uzumaki adaptation?

[@Mara999]

I think that Christopher Lee's version of the Monster is the one closest to matching Ito's take on him. The two versions even resemble each other.

[@keiththompson9435]

Bravo to Junji Ito. I have seen different endings from Wishbone, and Mr. Magoo. Yes there’s a Mr. Magoo Cartoon That stars Magoo as Dr Frankenstein and it’s very nearly as dark as this tale.

[@Nytemare2all]

I saw that before! The Magoo version was pretty interesting in how dark it got.

[@goob_goob_gooby_goob]

Artwork in manga really stands out to me more than regular comics. Yeah, artwork in say, most Marvel or DC comics are good, but Manga looks so good to me. I’ve always wanted to recreate something like it, but I can never replicate it, unfortunately. But eh, what can ya do but keep on trying

[@MadmanMatt421]

7:01 HENRY! OH MY GOD!!!

[@Curttehmurt]

Fairly similar to the Kenneth Branagh film, although if I recall correctly they made the bride out of victor's fiance in that version (it's been a while)

[@ZekeStaright]

Oh, That's where that face came from

[@pokejoseph]

Don’t you believe in fairies?

[@SchazmenRassir]

The second I saw the title and the cover, my immediate thought was "Ooh, is Frankenstein's monster going to be spirals?!"

[@spigui500]

I actually own this one!

[@jdzencelowcz]

AAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE USED MY BUMPER CLIP!!!!!!!!! :-D ^_^

[@ElManReborn616]

Was that a hint of plot in a lbotd?!

[@zerogee768]

What's it like having to get that make up on every year Linkara?? 😂

[@FabledHeroes3351]

Fun Fact: the monster actually didn’t look ugly it was actually handsome it was it’s eyes and lips that just looked completely off the eyes where yellow and the lips where black

[@xavierfrendick6581]

My one apparent complaint is that it seems that this adaptation makes Frankenstein more... sympathetic, than the original. He doesn’t find out the monster was involved until after Justine is executed, so he isn’t guilty of not saving her, and he actually finished the companion monster - it isn’t his fault that she didn’t find the first creation any more appealing than anyone else did, so the subsequent killings just come across as petty on the monster’s part. Overall, it turns the story from Frankenstein getting (relatively) reasonable comeuppance for being a massive ass, to being, while not at all guiltless, at least something of a victim. Fine review, of course - not saying anything against it. Just an observation about the subject matter.

[@AT4W]

He does seem to recognize it was the monster (in his gut, anyway), it's just only AFTER Justine's execution that he gets confirmation of it.

[@ShoppingBored]

Reminds me of the movie adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula portrayed by Gary Oldman where they made dracula more sympathetic.

[@jfdrac]

Wait so the Brides hair DIDNT come to life and attack Frank? well thats a let down

[@rikacheer]

"Faithful". The original creature was fairly good looking (except the eyes), and Victor let his maid die because he knew before she died that it was his creation, but refused to fess up.

[@AT4W]

Yeah, you might want to reread the book about the description of the monster. It's... not beautiful, and there's a reason people keep fleeing from it upon seeing it.

[@rikacheer]

@@AT4W His limbs were in proportion, and I had selected his features as beautiful. Beautiful! Great God! His yellow skin scarcely covered the work of muscles and arteries beneath; his hair was of a lustrous black, and flowing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but these luxuriances only formed a more horrid contrast with his watery eyes, that seemed almost of the same colour as the dun-white sockets in which they were set, his shrivelled complexion and straight black lips. Ok, maybe he didn't successed at making him beautiful. But Victor tried, and I've never seen a depiction of failed beauty, just pure monster.

[@bthsr7113]

So is Moarte snarking about the bears, or is he really that dangerous?

[@EternalKHFan0]

Well, he did... _something_ to Mirrorkara, so... Yeah.

[@WhaleManMan]

I dunno if I like that he made Frankenstein not be at fault for the murder of his family. Him destroying the bride makes his ego more of the tragedy.

[@ceruleanwalker1069]

That comic looks like it's worth a read, I see what you mean about the artwork for the creature. However, I must say I'm not a fan of frankenstein completing the bride. The monster seeking revenge on frankenstein is more palpable when his creator destroyed the bride out of fear. But that's just how I feel.

[@misterabbadon977]

I hate to be that guy another year in a row but does anyone know the song?

[@mobius273]

You should have said grissly is a bit to gristley

[@Bezaliel13]

If Linkara was the one doing this, he would have gone on into the next video about the breasts being unnecessary.

[@CanuckWolfman]

Eh. Yeah... but polar bear is too fatty for me.

[@markmagician2471]

The art looks like a manga

[@DetectorCliche]

It is a manga.

[@scottbruckner4653]

Frankenstein was the monster. His creation is not.

[@animasuperfreakgirl]

Scott Bruckner why can’t they both be? After all the creation did go a murdering and framing people for murder. That’s pretty monstrous even with a tragic back story

[@scottbruckner4653]

@@animasuperfreakgirl To be fair if Frankenstein had accepted his responsibility in the first place it wouldn't have happened.

[@animasuperfreakgirl]

@@scottbruckner4653 so tragic backstory absolves him of responsibility and monstrous actions? I'll try that in court ;P (Alternatively, try telling that to the grieving families of his victims. I have a feeling they would blame both. The man for being monstrous enough to play God and the creature being monstrous enough to kill others to hurt Victor/express his own anger.) I get what you mean but even if Victor is the root of all of this I don't believe the creature can be absolved of his own monstrous behavior. Even if Victor had accepted his responsibility to the creature others would have probably still rejected him and he may very well have killed out of anger or vengeance. After all thats part of why the creature was so sad, Victor was the only person he truly had (though he almost did have the old man before the others in the family found out about him) and others did not accept him. And even if Victor had accepted him I'm not sure it would have been enough. But thats getting more fanfiction-y than text-based... its been too long since I read the book. Sorry for how long this is.

[@scottbruckner4653]

@@animasuperfreakgirl You're not wrong, you just don't need to be so long winded about it.

[@animasuperfreakgirl]

Scott Bruckner I know I didn’t need to be that long winded but I was having fun. Thanks for the fun/convo. Have a great day! 👍✌️

[@fredesca8648]

Wow. Junji Ito's version of the monster was an asshole.

[@AM-kf2zt]

While the villainous upgrade of the monster, at least in the beginning of the story might be off-putting, Junji Ito more than makes up for it with his characterisation of Victor Frankenstein. The original Frankenstein was so unlikable, unrelatable, bizzarely idiotic, reckless, selfish and downright obnoxious that it is actually possible to enjoy his suffering in the later parts of the story. He always felt like a strawman caricature of a scientist rather than an actual human being. Moreover; seeing how he narrates the story, we basically have to see things from his POV it's incredibly off-putting. Victor Frankenstein made reading a lot of the story Frankenstein a chore and an obligation rather than something interesting. He might possibly be the only character in fiction who is actually more interesting and likeable in every adaptation compared to the original. This too is no exception. This version actually seems like a human being and acts like a human being. Shelley's work is a milestone, but it is certainly flawed. There, the plot dictates the character's actions, turning the main character into an idiot. Here, the monster may look more sinister, but his anger and strange sense pf morality is justified and he is still sympathetic at the end. The characters drive the story here, instead of the other way around and honestly, the story as a whole is better for it.

[@ScottGladstein]

I really wanna watch these but that accent is unbearable for long stretches.