DC's NEW 52-FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.

Frankenstein has been portrayed many times in a bunch of comics. From the Dick Briefer version  of the Fifties to the Dell superhero book in the Sixties through the Marvel series to the Creature Commandos, the stitched up creation has made the rounds. He was even part of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Now he's the leader of a super team in DC's NEW 52 book FRANKENSTEIN AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. Yeah-that's what i said. And when I saw the solicitation for this book, I was definitely wired to check it out.
 
The book begins with a dog getting killed during a fishing trip that results in the death of a grandfather, as later reported by his grandson. We next see the inner workings of the Ant Farm: the base of operations for the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive. This microscopic headquarters exists 2,000 miles above Manhattan and was made this way by Science Liaison Ray Palmer(ahhh-that explains the microscopic ability). Frankenstein is beamed on board from his vacation on Mars. Disgruntled, he meets with his father who has been regenerated into the form of a mask wearing little girl.
 
Frankenstein learns that his wife is off fighting these monsters that ate grandpa, but they lost contact with her. So his orders are given: eliminate the monsters in six hours or nuke the town near Bone Lake. 

Arriving on scene, it looks like S.H.A.D.E. is not containing the creatures, so here comes the rest of the Creature Commandos(yes-THEY ARE!!!):a fish woman, werewolf, vampire bat and mummy. They were all humans once that have been modified to their new condition. In fact, Vincent Velcoro gained his present powers by way of a version of the Langstrom Serum(yeah-he's the vampire bat). Frankenstein is a little offended that people have been "playing God", even as many of the Commandos profess how honored they are to be working with him.
 
After that, it's open the gates and "have at them!" They make their way through town and arrive inside a church. Pushing back the alter, they find an old woman and a lot of kids hidden there. As the computer printout says: "to be continued".
 
Okay...still not certain about what is going on here. this is such a strange hybrid book that I haven't decided if it's good or bad. I mean, the concept is kind of cool and the idea we have the Creature Commandos back is awesome. Alberto Ponticelli's artwork is quirky and fits the story nicely. Jeff Lemire, fast becoming the king of strange DC comics, turns in a fun little tale.
 
Where is this going? Who knows. But it looks like it could be fun. I mean, we've already got Ray Palmer and references to the formula that created Man-Bat in the old DC Universe. Who knows what else will get dropped in. Hopefully a little more back story on the creation of this team and what S.H.A.D.E. means to the whole New DC Universe.
 
Give it a whirl. This will either blow you away or turn you off. I can't tell you which. That's up to you.
 
BTW: the mysterious hooded woman is in the back of a two page battle scene three pages from the end of the story.