EYES ON JOE FRANKENSTEIN PART 3
Joe Frankenstein 3: An ancient relic, three immortal figures, and a legacy buried beneath the sands.
A new chapter rises from the desert sands, where science and sorcery collide under the blazing Egyptian sun. Joe Frankenstein 3: The Eye of Ra takes us back to 1927, long before Joe’s time, when his ancestor, Fredrick Frankenstein, and the immortal Mr. Lazarus embarked on a desperate quest for a relic said to hold both salvation and doom, the legendary Eye of Ra.
But can the same weapon that once banished darkness now prevent it from returning? Or will history, as it often does in the Frankenstein legacy, repeat itself with devastating consequence?
With each chapter of Joe Frankenstein, Compass Comics continues to refine a balance between classic monster lore and modern storytelling. What began as a tale of legacy and destiny has grown into a full-fledged mythology, one that stretches across centuries and generations of Frankensteins.
Now, with The Eye of Ra, the creative team turns the clock back to 1927, where science meets ancient mysticism, and the weight of the Frankenstein name once again stirs the boundary between creation and catastrophe. It’s an ambitious step that not only expands the lore but deepens our understanding of what this family’s story truly represents.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Joe Frankenstein: The Eye of Ra is written by Graham Nolan and Chuck Dixon, with interior artwork by Anthony Gonzales-Clark, whose detailed linework and dynamic compositions elevate every page. Gonzales-Clark’s art style complements Nolan’s direction perfectly, expressive, cinematic, and full of the pulpy energy that defines Compass Comics’ identity.
Dixon and Nolan’s creative partnership remains as sharp as ever, built on decades of storytelling synergy. Together, they continue to prove that great adventure comics can thrive outside the mainstream, guided purely by craftsmanship, storytelling passion, and a deep respect for their audience.
Through Compass Comics, this team carries the banner of independent comics done right, rooted in tradition yet bold in execution.
THE BOOK
Joe Frankenstein 3: The Eye of Ra boldly expands the scope of the series by traveling into the past, a narrative prequel that explores the early roots of the Frankenstein family legacy. The story follows Fredrick Frankenstein, Joe’s great-great-great-grandfather, joined by the immortal Mr. Lazarus, better known as the Frankenstein monster.
Their journey leads them into the deserts of Egypt, where myth and science intertwine around the mysterious artifact known as the Eye of Ra. It’s a story that blends gothic atmosphere with adventure-serial excitement, a fusion of mummies, vampires, and forgotten relics that brings the Frankenstein legend into a thrilling new light.
For collectors, the campaign offered three cover options:
- Main Cover by Anthony Gonzales-Clark
- Variant Cover and Glow-in-the-Dark Cover by Graham Nolan
- And a Crowdfunding Campaign Close-Out Cover, also by Nolan, was offered exclusively near the end of the crowdfunding run.
Each cover captured a different facet of the story, from pulp adventure to gothic mystery, making the book not just a narrative experience, but a visual celebration of the Joe Frankenstein legacy.
THE STORY
Set against the backdrop of 1927, Fredrick Frankenstein and Mr. Lazarus embark on a perilous search for the Eye of Ra, a powerful staff once used by the ancient Egyptians to destroy a vampire infestation. Along the way, readers are introduced to two powerful figures that expand this universe’s monstrous hierarchy: Nocturne Dracul, the series’ answer to Dracula, and Golgatha, a cursed being whose presence mirrors The Mummy in both menace and mythic scope.
It’s a clever and deliberate evolution of the Joe Frankenstein mythos, not merely reusing familiar archetypes but reimagining them within the Frankenstein lineage. Both Nocturne Dracul and Golgatha embody timeless evils, yet they serve distinct narrative functions: one as a symbol of parasitic immortality, the other as a reflection of vengeance entombed.
There’s even a touch of humor amid the intensity, a brief but memorable moment when Mr. Lazarus rescues not the map to their destination, but a 12-year-old whiskey bottle branded with the Compass Comics logo. It’s a playful wink that immediately reminded me of the famous map-burning scene from The Mummy (1999). Full disclosure, massive fan of the films The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, even appreciating their imperfections over the years.
The parallels don’t end there: the journey through traps, the blend of adventure and dread, and the growing sense that they’re chasing both history and destiny all echo that beloved film.
However, The Eye of Ra distinguishes itself with tone and intent. Where The Mummy (1999) embraced its pulpy charm with lighthearted wit, this tale carries a more solemn weight, a serious and atmospheric retelling of similar archetypal themes. Both stories explore courage, loss, and the price of discovery, but The Eye of Ra directs its gaze inward. The path may feel familiar, but the destination promises to be very different. In the end, we see familiar faces from the Nolanverse that are involved and will be part of the journey ahead.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Eye of Ra feels like the natural next step in the Joe Frankenstein saga, a chapter that looks backward to move the story forward. By diving into the family’s past, Dixon and Nolan add new emotional and thematic dimensions to Joe’s modern-day struggles.
Visually, Anthony Gonzales-Clark’s artwork stands out, detailed yet fluid, equally capable of depicting the vast Egyptian landscape and the quiet tension of haunted interiors. His art balances the grandeur of myth with the grounded humanity that defines the series. Combined with Nolan’s visual design and Dixon’s pacing, the result feels both classic and fresh. However, in some panels, I would have preferred to see more detail, but I guess that is a preference of the artist.
While the story uses familiar elements, ancient artifacts, cursed tombs, and dangerous expeditions, The Eye of Ra handles them with the seriousness and depth of true mythology, not as a simple imitation. It builds real tension around exploration and reminds readers that every discovery comes with ethical consequences. This is not just another monster tale; it reimagines the legacy of Frankenstein through history, culture, and the lasting impact of human choices.
THE CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN
Just as with the previous Joe Frankenstein releases, Compass Comics delivered The Eye of Ra campaign with the same professionalism and transparency backers have come to expect. I chose only the main cover, but the campaign offered many other items that you could add to your order, including t-shirts, challenge coins, drink coasters, and, for die-hard collectors, the CGC version of the comic version of your choice.
Updates were timely, communication was clear, and the final product arrived as promised, a model example of how independent crowdfunding should be managed. While the process may not always go as planned, I like that the creator is always sharing the ups and downs with backers regularly, unlike others who leave you completely in the dark.
Included with the book was a bookmark, a vinyl logo sticker, a trading card, and a mini print. Phone wallpapers of the Main Cover and the Variant Cover were sent via email as well. The items were well packaged, and the tracking number was provided, so no issues there.
When overpromising and underdelivering can damage trust, this project once again stands as proof that reliability and craftsmanship can go hand in hand. Nolan and Dixon not only tell great stories, but they also respect their readers.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Joe Frankenstein: The Eye of Ra builds upon everything the series has achieved so far, its blend of adventure, introspection, and mythic depth, while pushing the boundaries of its own universe. It’s a reminder that every creation has a history, and every legacy has a cost.
This third chapter doesn’t merely expand the lore; it enriches it. By venturing into the past, it shows how the Frankenstein name has always been intertwined with humanity’s endless quest to master both life and death, and the consequences that come with it.
If the first two installments explored the birth of a hero, The Eye of Ra explores the birth of a legacy. And as this series continues, one thing remains certain: the Frankenstein story still has many hearts left to beat.
Interested in more? Check these out:
- EYES ON JOE FRANKENSTEIN PART 1
- EYES ON JOE FRANKENSTEIN PART 2
- EYES ON HUNTER NINJA BEAR
- EYES ON GIANT-SIZE TWO-FISTED MANLY TALES #1
- A WORKING MAN UNDER THE BURNING SUN
The “EYES ON” series is where I documented my experience with crowdfunding entertainment and shared my notes on the products I received. Feel free to check them out.
My notes are all set. Let me know what you think.
See you on the next page!
