With I, Frankenstein poised to invade theaters this Friday, January 24, we'll be treated to a new movie version of the monster created by Victor Frankenstein. Mary Shelley's novel, first published in 1818, long ago entered the collective subconscious, and dozens of film adaptations have been inspired -- some more faithful than others.

That same creative impulse has moved an impressive number of comic book writers and artists to reimagine the big fella, and the British site Den of Geek has compiled a long list of very colorful creatures. We have three examples of what it found, but you'll want to check out the entire article for its marvelous compendium of frightening facts and awesome art. 

First up is Classic Comics #26, published in 1945. It's described as "the most faithful retelling of Shelley's classic." 

Next is Dell Comics' version, which began publishing in 1964, featuring the Monster as a crime-fighting superhero. 

Time traveling to 2004, we have Doc Frankenstein, created in part by the Wachowskis (The Matrix). This reimagining "details the the creature's adventures as a gunslinger and on the frontlines of World War II as well as an advocate for choice and the teaching of creation." 

Hmm. After reading those descriptions, maybe the initially odd-sounding premise for I, Frankenstein -- the creature as an immortal being living in the modern day, caught up in a battle between gargoyles and demons -- isn't so strange after all!