Made Men #1 Review

Made Men #1

Publisher: Oni Press
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artist: Arjuna Susini
Colorist: Gonzalo Duarte
Letterer: Saida Temofonte

Review by Anelise Farris 

Made Men #1 introduces readers to Jutte Shelley, a former Frankenstein. More than just a name, a Frankenstein was in the family business of science experiments, longevity, and raising the dead. Jutte thought she had shed her Frankenstein identity when she left home to become a Special Ops officer. However, when she is ambushed and witnesses the slaughter of her entire team, she decides that perhaps it is finally time to return home.

Made Men #1 drops readers right into the action. Bullets are flying, blood is spraying, and bodies are falling. Jutte watches in horror as her friends are shot down, and she herself manages to survive the attack. It’s not that she can’t feel pain. It’s just that she’s a Frankenstein, who has been downing her granny’s special potion for years. In this first issue, readers learn enough about Jutte’s family history to know that their practice of dark science has put a target on their back. Now Jutte, with a car full of her dead friends, is pissed and ready to get the Made Men back together.

Despite its clear ties to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Made Men #1 is a unique story that stands all on its own. For a first issue, Made Men is remarkably confident and well-composed. The art is soft and surreal with a gorgeous use of color—heavy with pastel pinks, blues, and grays. Although only a few seconds pass since the first gunshot, the horror is drawn out over multiple pages to elevate the suspense. Furthermore, this technique increases our investment in Jutte as we experience the moment through her point of view. With compelling art, intentional writing, and smart lettering, Made Men #1 is a welcome twist on the classic tale of unorthodox science.

Verdict
Buy it! Okay, I might be slightly biased because I live, breathe, and teach literature. However, even if you have no interest in the classic Frankenstein tale, Made Men #1 is definitely worth your time. The creative team gives us an unexpected blend of science-fiction, horror, and crime, with strong, intelligent women at its core.