On the surface, Allred’s Madman is a remix of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Frank Einstein (formerly Zane Townsend) aka Madman has more in common with the mythic heroes of legend and inhabits a world equally fantastic. The audience can see that Allred poured his heart into this series. The cast is eclectic and unique (ranging from a scientist with detachable heads, invisible assistants, villainous beatniks turned heroic mutate band, infernal g-men, a beatnik-alien hybrid, jungle themed heroes, an alien inventor, an adult Astroboy pastiche, unlikely celebrity cameos, and comic book guest stars). Allred took great steps to flesh out each character and grant a unique voice.

The thing that stood out most about Frank Einstein is his purity tempered humanity. He’s not an aloof alien judging us & looking down on us like Kal-El or a pinnacle of piety or perfection. He made mistakes, worked to fix them, and helped those in need around him. Madman didn’t perform heroics for attention, adoration, or reward; he just did what was right. His relationship with Josephine Lombard is so organic and beautiful free of the “will they won’t they” that plagued other iconic couples like Pete & MJ/Lois & Clark.

Madman embodies everything that made the 50′s and 60′s era of comic and science fiction great (down to its stylized artwork). If you are comic fan who misses the Golden Age where the focus was on telling an epic and captivating story (minus graphic violence and sadistic acts that emerged during the gritty 90’s) then this is the series for you!

Celebrity Guests:
Conan O’Brien & Andy Richter

Robert Rodriguez

Images courtesy of Warren Peace’s blog, Mike Allred’s official Site, Mike Allred’s Art Blog, and Comic Art Community