The Art and Influence of a Monster

Frankenstein was the first great monster novel. It inspired all that came after it.

Artificial human beings and their creators have become common theme in modern science fiction/horror films and literature.

Frankenweenie is a remake of Burton's 1984 short film of the same name and is a parody of and homage to the 1931 film Frankenstein based on Mary Shelly's book of the same name.

George A. Romero's 1985 film Day of the Dead features a scientist conducting experiments on zombies nicknamed Frankenstein. 

Edward was the creation of an old inventor. The Inventor's final result was a human like young boy who had everything except for hands, but the Inventor had a heart attack and died while in the act of giving a pair of real hands to Edward, leaving him unfinished forever. Edward also had problems being accepted by society, much like Frankenstein's monster.

 

Solomon Grundy resembles the monster in Frankenstein in appearance and also in its child like mind. It also retains its ability to become enraged. Grundy as well possesses great strength.

Creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby got their ideas to create the Hulk from Frankenstein. The character of the Hulk itself is also a nice variation on the Frankenstein topic. Like the monster in Shelly's novel, the Hulk has supernatural strength, but these powers and his hideous appearance are more a curse to him than a blessing. Society considers the Hulk a threat and therefore has only one solution, and that is to kill him.

One scene, in particular, is reminiscent of Mary Shelley's novel: when Robocop takes off his helmet for the first time he sees the reflection of his face in a mirror - just like Frankenstein's monster saw his face in a pond. At that moment, Robocop, whose memories of his former life have been erased by scientists, realizes that in fact he is still a human being, the police officer Murphy.





 
-Links-



Edward Scissors Hands: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/

Frankenwenee: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1142977/

Robocop: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/

The Hulk: http://marvel.com/universe/Hulk_%28Bruce_Banner%29

  Solomon Grundy: http://www.comicvine.com/solomon-grundy/29-8342/

 

Day of the Dead: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088993/plotsummary

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             Justin - Researcher / Blog Organizer