Gris Grimly's Frankenstein

Gris Grimly is a renowned American illustrator, animator, and author whose work is emotive, detailed, and dark. In his youth, he was most heavily inspired by Jon J. Muth’s work (e.g., Sandman, Moonshadow). His artistic style leans toward the modern gothic, with death as a foremost motif. Grimly writes for both children and adult audiences with the goal of making classic literature more accessible. By adding visualizations alongside the texts’ original language, Grimly’s works help readers interpret stories that are vital to the history of literature. The illustrations also add an extra layer of emotion to the work without taking away from the source text.

Grimly uses a combination of watercolor and inkwashing to create his vibrant illustrations. In Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein, Grimly maintains a sepia tone that creates an old-fashioned feel and that only occasionally includes faded pinks, reds, or greens. The minimal color creates a blended softness, while the ink adds sharp contrast and edges. Grimly has stated that he always identified with Frankenstein’s monster; he felt socially outcast growing up, partly as a result of severe burns he sustained in childhood (“Drawing Rock ‘N’ Roll and Sympathy Into Frankenstein’s World.” NPR, 26 Oct. 2013). He therefore considered it an honor to adapt the story. 

Grimly’s other adaptations include classic works like The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Madness. Grimly’s adaptation of Pinocchio was adapted into a Netflix film by Guillermo Del Toro that won several prestigious awards, including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Picture. Grimly has a strong reputation in the world of literature and is celebrated as a faithful interpreter of classic stories that shaped today’s world and continue to be at the forefront of literary consciousness.