TheUniversal Monsterswere introduced to the world back in 1923 withThe Hunchback of Notre Dame, and from there, the studio released more films and built up its monstrous roster. Since then, these monsters have dominated pop culture through sequels, remakes, in-person attractions, and now comic books from Skybound Entertainment, an imprint of Image Comics.
The first title for Skybound’s Universal Monsters comics wasDraculaby James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds, and two other monsters got their own books down the line, including Michael Walsh and Toni-Marie Griffin’sFrankensteinand Dan Watters, Ram V, Matthew Roberts, and Dave Stewart’sCreature From The Black Lagoon Lives!Skybound appears to have more Universal Monsters comics up its sleeve, withThe Mummyhitting shelves March 26th, 2025.There are also many more Universal Monsters to adapt to the comics, giving audiencesa great substitute for the failure of the Dark Universe.
8Needs a Comic Reboot: The Invisible Man
Directed by James Whale (1933); Directed by Leigh Whannell (2020)
Of the Universal Monsters who have not gotten a Skybound comic yet, one of the first to come to mind is The Invisible Man. LikeFrankenstein, this Universal Monster does not have supernatural ties. Instead, in the original book by H.G. Wells, a scientist devoted to his work finds a way to turn his body invisible, and the movie of the same name follows this story, as well as the scientist’s descent into insanity.Later adaptations of this Universal Monster, like the 2020 film, would blend sci-fi and horror, turning the Invisible Man into an abusive stalker who torments his ex.
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This reworking of the classic story was a great way to bring the Universal Monster into the modern day, and it is proof that this character can be adapted in many ways. BringingThe Invisible Manto comics would allow a creative team to do just this. Plus, with comics being a visual medium,it would be interesting to see the use of negative space to tell this story, and it is the perfect comic to embrace an abstract art style.
7Has a Comic Reboot: Dracula
By James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds
The first comic in the Universal Monster line-up of Skybound comics isDraculaby the same creative team asThe Department of Truth, James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds. With haunting yet beautiful art by Simmonds,Dracularecounts a patient’s experience with his strange neighbor. While his doctor tries to find logic for his patient’s claims, that gets harder to do once Count Dracula gets more and more in his life. This is a powerhouse Gothic comic from a powerhouse team.
6Needs a Comic Reboot: Dracula’s Daughter
Directed by Lambert Hillyer (1936)
Following the success of Skybound’sDracula,it would make perfect sense for there to be a follow-up comic. Instead of featuring more of the Count, though, it could follow the lead ofDracula’s Daughter, Countess Marya Zakeska. In the film, strange events surround the Countess, leading Dr. Von Helsing to think she is a vampire. However, the Countess is not a monster who relishes vampirism. Instead, she wants to be free of this curse. Unlike many other Universal Monsters, the source material forDracula’s Daughteris not so cut and dry.
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As documented by theAmerican Film Institute, some sources believe this film is based on “Dracula’s Guest,” an unpublished chapter of Bram Stoker’sDracula, which would eventually be published over two decades after the author’s death. Others believeCarmillaby Sheridan Le Fanu was a massive inspiration for the film, especially given the queer themes and undertones of the movie. Because of this,a comic team could take a lot of liberties when exploringDracula’s Daughter, making this underrated Universal Monster a new favorite.
5Has a Comic Reboot: Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!
By Dan Watters, Ram V, Matthew Roberts, and Dave Stewart
The next Universal Monster to get a comic book from Skybound was the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and his comic served as a more direct follow-up to the original movie.Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!is more of a crime-thriller than the original 1954 movie. In the comic, an investigative journalist searches for a serial killer for personal and professional reasons; however, she soon discovers something else is lurking in the shadows of the Amazons.Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!makes readers question who or what are the real monsters in our world while delivering a unique take on the classic story.
4Needs a Comic Reboot: The Wolf Man
Directed by George Waggner (1941)
The Wolf Man, likeDracula’s Daughter, does not have a clear source. Instead,it is inspired by centuries-old folklore about werewolves. The 1941 movie sees a man bitten by a werewolf and his subsequent transformation into the titular monster.The Wolf Manwas remade in 2010 with the titleThe Wolfman,and it is more of a period piece than the original. Fast-forward to 2025, andThe Wolf Mangot another full-on reboot and new take, one that was not universally well-reviewed.
Despite the reception ofThe Wolf Man, this Universal Monster deserves another shot, and comics may be a better medium for the monster.
While 2025’sThe Wolf Mandid not succeed whereThe Invisible Manreboot did, both movies do bring these classic Universal Monsters into the modern day. Despite the reception ofThe Wolf Man, this Universal Monster deserves another shot, and comics may be a better medium for the monster. There are so many directions to takeThe Wolf Man. After all, folklore and Gothic comics, likeSomnaby Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay, have found devoted audiences. Acomic version ofThe Wolf Mancould deliver something more contemporary, completely reinventing the werewolf for the modern age.
3Has a Comic Reboot: Frankenstein
By Michael Walsh and Toni-Marie Griffin
Frankenstein’s monster is one of the most beloved literary and movie monsters. At the time of this writing,Guillermo Del Toro’sFrankensteinis set to release just a few weeks afterThe Bride!, which is Maggie Gyllenhaal’s take onThe Bride of Frankenstein. This monster is relevant to this day, and that is true for the comics. With vibrant colors, Skybound’sFrankensteinsees Dr. Frankenstein create his monster, but there is a surprise witness: the son of a man whose hands are now the monster’s.This comic book is a unique yet welcoming perspective onFrankenstein,making it a stand-out series from Skybound’s Monster line.
2Needs a Comic Reboot: Bride of Frankenstein
Directed by James Whale (1935)
Whereas Frankenstein’s monster is one of the most beloved monsters in cinematic and literary history,the best Universal classic monster movieis without a doubtThe Bride of Frankenstein. Whileshe does not appear for most of the movie, she has had a massive impact on pop culture, even becoming one of the leading characters in James Gunn’sCreature Commandosanimated series. In Mary Shelley’sFrankenstein, though, the Bride is not even a character. Dr. Frankenstein does start to create the Bride for his monster, but he destroys her before she comes to life.
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Books, films, cartoons, and even comics take a lot of liberties when it comes to whom the Bride is and what she could be. In bothBride of FrankensteinandCreature Commandos,she is a woman who rejects what and who she is made for, and that is a powerful story in and of itself. Plus, given how many liberties can be taken with the Bride, a comic featuring her could either build off the priorFrankensteincomic or be something entirely new.
1Has a Comic Reboot: The Mummy
By Faith Erin Hicks and Lee Loughridge
Skybound released the first issue of its latest Universal Monster comic in 2025, andThe Mummyis ready to twist what we know about this Universal Monster with this comeback. While the titular character is the Mummy,the heart of this Skybound comic is none other than Helen Grosvenor, who was a key player in the original Universal film. In this comic, Helen is called by an unknown force to an Egyptian dig site, where she will play an unexpected role in the resurrection of the Mummy. LikeFrankenstein, the perspective ofThe Mummyis a unique one, making it stand out from theUniversal Monstersfilm it’s based on.
Source:American Film Institute
Universal Monsters
Universal Monsters is a franchise from Universal Studios that began in 1923 with The Hunchback of Notre Dame. While many characters are based on novels released prior to the films, actors such as Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, and Claude Rains helped the classic monsters become instantly recognizable. Movies like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, and The Wolf Man may be some of the most critically acclaimed films in the franchise, but Universal has kept the characters popular in recent years through films such as Renfield in 2023 and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride!.
