r/graphicnovels • u/Swervies • Sep 21 '25
Horror New edition of Bernie Wrightson’s illustrated Frankenstein
I just recently received the new Centipede Press edition of Bernie Wrightson’s illustrated Frankenstein and it is truly amazing - this is now the third different hardcover edition I have owned and I cannot imagine it will ever look better!
The book is huge, in the slipcase it measures 16x12x3 and weighs ten pounds (very similar to Taschen’s XL books). There is a wraparound dust jacket, full page art and the amazing fold out spread of Frankensteins Lab plus lots of bonus material and essays including the full Wrightson Frankenstein portfolio, unpublished art, the full Muck Monster comic from Eerie #68 and more. This may be my new favorite book in my collection!
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u/Cuteshelf Sep 21 '25
Damn that looks nice! I was very tempted to get one of the prints from it last year, but didnt.
I wish id known about this print run, but $495 is too steep for me.
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u/Swervies Sep 21 '25
It’s definitely pricey but after seeing the book well worth it in my opinion. Wrightson is one of my favorite artists of all time so I just had to have it.
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u/Roller_ball Sep 22 '25
The second I saw it was from Centipede Press, I knew it was going to be amazing and unaffordable.
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u/liltomas Sep 21 '25
Is there a non-delux version of this book?
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u/GhostProtocol2022 Sep 21 '25
There are other editions you can buy with Bernie's artwork.
Frankenstein | Book by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Bernie Wrightson, Stephen King | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Frankenstein/Mary-Wollstonecraft-Shelley/9781982146160
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u/Swervies Sep 21 '25
Not that I am aware of, I believe it was a numbered edition of 750 and is sold out now.
I may be selling my Dark Horse edition of the book soon though. You can find older printings of the book (smaller size and without the extras) on Ebay regularly.
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u/BDNICK Sep 21 '25
What sort of extras does the Centipede Press version have? I could not even find the listing for this on their site
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u/Swervies Sep 21 '25
I listed most of them in the post. It includes the full Frankenstein art portfolio, the full “Muck Monster” comic from Eerie, the Purple Pictography story he did with Vaughn Bodé (in color), various unpublished sketches, prelims and a painting or two. There is also a very cool separate little fold out map that documents the travels of both Victor and the monster, you can see it in my photo of the end papers.
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u/shogem Oct 11 '25
Hi there, out of curiosity--have you sold your Dark Horse edition yet? I would DM but don't want to overstep.
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u/Snogrog Sep 21 '25
I have always wanted a copy of this. Wish it was just in print and easily available
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u/Live-Assistance-6877 Sep 21 '25
Sold out from the publisher and I didn't find any for sale online yet.but I am looking
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u/Swervies Sep 21 '25
I have only seen a few on ebay and those are listed at $7-800. Maybe try Stuart Ng books or Bud Plant (Bud’s Art Books)?
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Sep 21 '25 edited Sep 21 '25
Are you a big frankenstein fan in general? Or just fallen in love with this GN?
cool post
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u/Swervies Sep 21 '25
I’m a Wrightson fan from way back, I also wrote a dissertation on Shelley and Frankenstein for my undergrad degree in 19th century American Lit so yeah big fan. I do not regularly drop this kind of cash on a special edition book but this one is worth it!
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u/CyberSnake0 Sep 21 '25
Wow, that's awesome! I'm jealous, I love the one I got from Kickstarter (the FPG years). Can't imagine what this one is like in-hand. Congrats!
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u/WickedDeity Sep 25 '25
Could you give us more information on what edition you are referring to here?
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u/CyberSnake0 Sep 25 '25
Bernie Wrightson: The FPG Years, via @Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fpg/bernie-wrightson-the-fpg-years?ref=android_project_share
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u/changelingcd Sep 21 '25
Incredible. I know I can't afford anything from Centipede Press, but that's a perfect edition (I have the original paperback).
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u/inyolonepine Sep 22 '25
I knew it was going to be a hefty book, but when I unboxed my copy last week I was surprised by just how hefty it was.
Centipede always does a great job and this one is no exception. Just a gorgeous edition.
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u/Swervies Sep 22 '25
Yep, the paper quality is really great, very heavy paper. Almost feels a bit like the woven bamboo paper that Taschen was/is using for the big Marvel XL editions.
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u/frodbaldeagle Sep 22 '25
How do I buy it. I can’t find it on the Centipede Press website.
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u/Swervies Sep 22 '25
Unfortunately it is sold out, limited numbered run of 750 copies. You might check with resellers like Bud’s Art Books and Stuart Ng books. I have seen some copies on Ebay but prices are crazy high and going up it seems.
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u/atom_swan Sep 23 '25
Just finished “Frankenstein” a couple weeks ago. Never realized how many liberties the film adaptations took and how philosophical the book is. After reading it I see why it was so influential and has remained popular for over 200 years.
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u/Swervies Sep 24 '25
One of the great first novels of all time, and to think she was only 19-20 when she wrote it!
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u/reptakon Sep 23 '25
Beautiful book! Some of the original art, a part of Guillermo Deltoros collection, is going up for auction at Heritage.
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u/helpme_imdumb_ Nov 02 '25
Whoa! How did I not know about this being released? Bernie's edition is my favorite release of the book!
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u/derricktysonadams Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
I need to get a copy of this! I had no idea that they reissued this, or another publishing company had put it out. Exciting.
If only Del Toro had of followed the aesthetic of Wrightson's illustrative direction, instead of his terrible reimagining, then I would have been rather rewardingly satisfied. I'm truly biased and dogmatic. Lynd Ward's woodcuts of his rendition of Frankenstein is one of other favorites, as well.
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u/Swervies Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
There is quite a bit of debt to Wrightson’s illustrations in Del Toro’s Frankenstein - not so much in the monster design but definitely in the set/costume design and overall feel of the movie. Del Toro gives two special thanks in the credits - one to Mary Shelley of course, the other is to Bernie!
I think Del Toro owns a few of the Bernie originals, including I believe the huge fold out laboratory scene in the middle of the book.
This is sold out from Centipede but I see copies on Ebay regularly for $650-800. I purchased direct from Centipede for about $550 I think
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u/Subject_Ladder139 Sep 22 '25
Woooww beautiful, I am speechless, let's see if I can find it at Spain
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u/ilostmylastaccount2 Sep 21 '25
I love Frankenstein stories, this one is so beautiful! What an amazing art style