The Monster of Blackenstyne (Not to Be Confused with Blackenstein)
David Walker’s The Monster of Blackenstyne is exactly what it advertises itself to be — a campy, playful riff on the classic Frankenstein monster story filtered through the aesthetics of 1970s Blaxploitation cinema. Walker is no stranger to this territory, having written Shaft and other comics deeply rooted in the Blaxploitation era, so he knows this world inside and out. And on those terms, it largely delivers.
The premise is genuinely inspired. Tyrone Jefferson, a kind-hearted school bus driver for blind children, is wrongfully shot and killed by racist cops who face zero consequences for his murder. A mad scientist resurrects him, and the resulting monster sets out to settle the score. The raw material here has real emotional weight and undeniable contemporary resonance.
Not to Be Confused with Blackenstein
Walker signals his intentions right from the title. The parenthetical disclaimer on the cover — “not to be confused with Blackenstein” — is more than a cute joke. It’s an honest declaration that this is a work operating at a conscious remove from the original Blaxploitation genre. Classic Blaxploitation — Shaft, Superfly, even the low-budget Blackenstein that Walker is winking at — had real anger simmering underneath its outrageous surface. Blackenstyne operates at a deliberate distance from that tradition. The better comparison is Black Dynamite, the loving parody that affectionately lampoons the genre it adores. (There’s a pinch of Toxic Avenger thrown in for good measure). Walker is clearly having a good time with the conventions of the era rather than channeling its genuine fury. The over-the-top narration, the broadly drawn racist cop, and the wise-cracking kids on the stoop all signal that this is a comedy first and a commentary second.
Comedic License
Honestly, I was hoping for something sharper. Something along the lines of his award-winning graphic novel Big Jim and the White Boy. The bones of a truly pointed story are right there in the premise — an unarmed Black man killed by police who face no accountability, denied justice even in death until he takes matters into his own hands. Walker could have gone hard with that. He chose instead to go broad and playful, treating those themes more as backdrop than driving force. That’s a legitimate creative choice, and Walker executes it well. If you go in expecting pastiche rather than serious social commentary, you’ll have a genuinely good time.
The Monster of Blackenstyne…
Expect pastiche rather than social commentary and you’ll have a good time.
Deep familiarity with the Blaxploitation genre
The premise is inspired and immediately engaging
The humor lands consistently throughout
A fun and affectionate tribute to the era it spoofs
Could have been something sharper and more substantial
The social commentary feels more like backdrop than driving force
Imani Lateef of Peep Game Comix created Black Comix Universe to celebrate and discover the work of Black comic book creators. He highlights current talent with his monthly reviews, showcase historical gems with Black Comic Keys and shares his personal collecting journey through blogs, social media, and his weekly newsletter.
Related Articles
You’ve Been Chopped: Lumberjax #1-2 Critique
Lumberjax has really good bones: solid character designs, a great concept and it’s funny to boot. Oh, and the artwork by Guida – chef’s kiss! All the ingredients for a cult classic in the making.
Picking up my feelings: Hotshot #10 Critique
The idea of a superhero possibly using his/her powers to stop abuse in their home has locked me in as a reader. Just imagine if Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben abused Aunt May!? What kind of hero would he have become?
A New Era of Black Excellence in Comics
I wish I had Jay-Z’s foresight to make this proclamation 12 months ago. If so, I would have warned all of my indie comics friends to, “flood the streets with content ‘cause Shobo Coker and Juni Ba are coming!”
