Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which premiered in theaters on October 17th, draws heavily from iconic portrayals of the Monster, including influences from legends like Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee. However, one major source shaping this adaptation is the 1983 illustrated edition by comic artist Bernie Wrightson, whose work inspired the film’s visual design and earned a special credit acknowledgment. This connection reveals an unexpected Marvel Comics link within del Toro’s creative process.
The Enduring Legacy of Bernie Wrightson’s Frankenstein Illustrations
In 1983, Bernie Wrightson, a renowned comic book artist, unveiled a pen-and-ink illustrated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This edition is widely celebrated as the definitive visual interpretation of the novel’s eerie atmosphere and character designs. The similarity between Wrightson’s artwork and the imagery brought to life in del Toro’s film is striking, with the director himself noting the foundational influence of Wrightson’s detailed illustrations. The film credits explicitly cite this impact:
Frankenstein character design inspired in part by Bernie Wrightson’s ‘Frankenstein monster.’
Wrightson’s illustrations continue to captivate both Frankenstein aficionados and fans of del Toro’s cinematic vision.
Bernie Wrightson: A Horror Visionary’s Seven-Year Labor of Love
Before his passing in 2017, Bernie Wrightson had cemented his status as a pioneering figure in comic art, co-creating Swamp Thing in 1971 alongside Len Wein and illustrating Stephen King’s Cycle of the Werewolf. Following his work on Gothic tales by Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, Wrightson embarked on a deeply personal, unpaid project adapting Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein over seven years. His edition features 45 intricate black-and-white illustrations rendered with his signature crosshatching technique, adhering closely to Shelley’s original text rather than previous film interpretations.
Wrightson’s Monster diverges from popular cinematic portrayals by presenting a gaunt, pale, and wide-eyed figure dressed in military attire, emphasizing a more human side of the creature. This approach aligns closely with the character depicted in Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein and serves as a vital bridge connecting Mary Shelley’s novel to the modern film interpretation.
How Wrightson’s Art Shaped the Film’s Production and Performances
Guillermo del Toro’s deep respect for monsters and their mythologies places Bernie Wrightson at the pinnacle of his creative inspirations. Upon receiving approval to develop his passion project, del Toro secured the rights to use Wrightson’s Frankenstein designs in the film. Both Jacob Elordi, portraying the Monster, and Oscar Isaac, cast as Victor Frankenstein, reportedly kept Wrightson’s artwork prominently displayed in their living spaces during filming. Elordi transformed his apartment into what he described as a shrine to Wrightson’s monster, surrounding himself with the artist’s prints to embody the character’s emotional depth.
The influence of Wrightson’s detailed vision extended across the entire crew, from makeup artists crafting the Monster to the cinematographers capturing the somber tone. Del Toro has referred to Frankenstein as a sermon delivered within a church
built by Karloff, Mary Shelley, and Bernie Wrightson.
The final credits affirm Wrightson’s role as one of the key architects behind the film’s creature design, with del Toro emphasizing the artist’s enduring presence: Wrightson is said to loom eternal even beyond his death.
Fortunately, del Toro and Wrightson collaborated directly before the artist’s death, maintaining a close relationship that ensured Wrightson’s significant influence was properly acknowledged in the movie. This partnership immortalizes both their creative legacy and the evolving lineage of Frankenstein’s Monster on screen.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is currently playing in theaters, inviting audiences to experience this fresh interpretation deeply rooted in historic visual artistry.
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