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The Glass Scientists #1
The Glass Scientists: Volume One
The gothic worlds of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and more collide in this graphic novel series about buried secrets, mad science, and misunderstood monsters. For fans of stylish reimaginings like Lore Olympus and gaslamp fantasies like The Night Circus !
London isn’t the safest place for mad scientists these days. After that whole ordeal with Frankenstein, angry mobs have gotten awfully good at hunting down monsters and wiping out anything they don’t understand. In fact, if it weren’t for one extraordinary young man, every out-of-the-box thinker would have been locked up . . . or worse.
That young man is none other than Dr. Henry Jekyll. He believes mad scientists would thrive if they could just fix their public image, which is why he founded the Society for Arcane Sciences, a place where like-minded eccentrics could come together to defy the laws of nature in peace.
But everything changes when a mysterious stranger arrives, bent on taking the Society in a radical new direction. With everyone turning against him, Jekyll’s life starts to spiral out of control, shattering all his carefully laid plans and threatening to expose his darkest secret—one that could destroy everything he has built from the inside out.
Volume One collects Chapters 1-7 of this thrilling, humorous, beloved webcomic, which is available in print for the first time ever. It also features a brand-new side story, a behind-the-scenes look at artwork, and more exclusive bonus content!
London isn’t the safest place for mad scientists these days. After that whole ordeal with Frankenstein, angry mobs have gotten awfully good at hunting down monsters and wiping out anything they don’t understand. In fact, if it weren’t for one extraordinary young man, every out-of-the-box thinker would have been locked up . . . or worse.
That young man is none other than Dr. Henry Jekyll. He believes mad scientists would thrive if they could just fix their public image, which is why he founded the Society for Arcane Sciences, a place where like-minded eccentrics could come together to defy the laws of nature in peace.
But everything changes when a mysterious stranger arrives, bent on taking the Society in a radical new direction. With everyone turning against him, Jekyll’s life starts to spiral out of control, shattering all his carefully laid plans and threatening to expose his darkest secret—one that could destroy everything he has built from the inside out.
Volume One collects Chapters 1-7 of this thrilling, humorous, beloved webcomic, which is available in print for the first time ever. It also features a brand-new side story, a behind-the-scenes look at artwork, and more exclusive bonus content!
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
May 29, 2023
i love gay people
July 20, 2023
I have been following this comic for almost 5 years now, and coming from me that’s a whole lot of commitment. I stumbled upon it by complete luck and I’m so glad I did because this comic has brightened my every Monday since then.
The characters are just so loveable. Obviously, the main stage is taken by Jekyll and Hyde, the protagonists, but they fully deserve it. Both are amazing characters in different ways. My personal favourite is Hyde since I adore the chaotic energy he emulates and his personality brings a lot of entertainment. He’s also a more unique take on the character, not truly being the „evil” one of the two like in most media.
But in contrast to me my friend’s favourite character is Jekyll. And I think it really shows that both sides are equally interesting. While Hyde is irresponsible and acts before thinking, Jekyll is the opposite. He takes on all the responsibilites by himself and struggles to maintain the perfect persona he has crafted in the eyes of the public leaving him sleep-deprived and in general unwell . But there’s more layers to his character and it’s so interesting to understand him better with each chapter.
Though of course Jekyll and Hyde are not the only characters in the story. The side characters like Rachel, Jasper or Lanyon are always fun to see and they all have their own stories to tell. Not to mention the cast of Lodgers that make up a really enjoyable background cast to care about.
The world of the Glass Scientists is also a great setting. I absolutely adore the 19th-Century London aesthetic and it fits with the story creating a perfect style. It especially hits all my favourite tropes when it comes to that.
The plot is very captivating. While it may not be action focused it’s a very character driven story. Truth be told, the best part of the comic is getting to know the minds of the cast, especially Jekyll and Hyde. I love analysing their mindsets and the protagonists are constantly put in situations where they have to evaluate their way of thinking which often results in a bit of a crisis for them. They struggles with identity, relationships and their place in the world is very relatable.
The comic’s appeal will be something different for everyone. Some love it for representing queer struggles (which is also a very important aspect in the story), some for characters’ relationships with each other or themselves and some just find reading it really enjoyable and fun.
I’m kind of in all of these categories and I truly believe no one would regret giving this comic a try! I couldn’t recommend it enough (especially, but not exclusively, for fans of the gothic literature genre, since there’s a ton of references).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
The characters are just so loveable. Obviously, the main stage is taken by Jekyll and Hyde, the protagonists, but they fully deserve it. Both are amazing characters in different ways. My personal favourite is Hyde since I adore the chaotic energy he emulates and his personality brings a lot of entertainment. He’s also a more unique take on the character, not truly being the „evil” one of the two like in most media.
But in contrast to me my friend’s favourite character is Jekyll. And I think it really shows that both sides are equally interesting. While Hyde is irresponsible and acts before thinking, Jekyll is the opposite. He takes on all the responsibilites by himself and struggles to maintain the perfect persona he has crafted in the eyes of the public leaving him sleep-deprived and in general unwell . But there’s more layers to his character and it’s so interesting to understand him better with each chapter.
Though of course Jekyll and Hyde are not the only characters in the story. The side characters like Rachel, Jasper or Lanyon are always fun to see and they all have their own stories to tell. Not to mention the cast of Lodgers that make up a really enjoyable background cast to care about.
The world of the Glass Scientists is also a great setting. I absolutely adore the 19th-Century London aesthetic and it fits with the story creating a perfect style. It especially hits all my favourite tropes when it comes to that.
The plot is very captivating. While it may not be action focused it’s a very character driven story. Truth be told, the best part of the comic is getting to know the minds of the cast, especially Jekyll and Hyde. I love analysing their mindsets and the protagonists are constantly put in situations where they have to evaluate their way of thinking which often results in a bit of a crisis for them. They struggles with identity, relationships and their place in the world is very relatable.
The comic’s appeal will be something different for everyone. Some love it for representing queer struggles (which is also a very important aspect in the story), some for characters’ relationships with each other or themselves and some just find reading it really enjoyable and fun.
I’m kind of in all of these categories and I truly believe no one would regret giving this comic a try! I couldn’t recommend it enough (especially, but not exclusively, for fans of the gothic literature genre, since there’s a ton of references).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
November 28, 2023
this needs to be a series
May 29, 2023
This is an amazing book (and an ongoing webcomic)! I highly recommend, this is a colorful, well-put-together story, with gorgeous design. It’s one of the better things I’ve read, and one of the stories that got me into webcomics. I also read the original story because of this rewriting.
July 20, 2023
Truly a masterpiece of literature
April 6, 2023
**Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC. This in no way changed my rating**
I really liked The Glass Scientists. I didn't know it was an ongoing online series, but I'm glad that I know now. The series largely follows Henry Jekyll as he tries to make a haven for mad scientists solvent. Standing in his way are, of course, Hyde, as well as a hilarious interpretation of Dr. Frankenstein, who is vehemently opposed to Jekyll's "sanitized and respectable" version of mad science. The way Cotugno is able to mix Science Fiction stories, as well as work in fun little easter eggs for those who love the series is so engaging. I also really enjoyed the artwork. I could easily see this being adapted into a Children's TV series.
I really enjoyed this one and would definitely continue reading this series. Cotugno did a great job mixing so many stories together to make a wholly new adventure.
I really liked The Glass Scientists. I didn't know it was an ongoing online series, but I'm glad that I know now. The series largely follows Henry Jekyll as he tries to make a haven for mad scientists solvent. Standing in his way are, of course, Hyde, as well as a hilarious interpretation of Dr. Frankenstein, who is vehemently opposed to Jekyll's "sanitized and respectable" version of mad science. The way Cotugno is able to mix Science Fiction stories, as well as work in fun little easter eggs for those who love the series is so engaging. I also really enjoyed the artwork. I could easily see this being adapted into a Children's TV series.
I really enjoyed this one and would definitely continue reading this series. Cotugno did a great job mixing so many stories together to make a wholly new adventure.
July 20, 2023
Jekyll and Hyde is my favorite story of all time, so naturally I'm interested in any adaptation of it. So often I've been disappointed, but not in this one. The Glass Scientists really gets what Jekyll and Hyde is about, queer subtext and all. If you're a super fan of J&H (or any Victorian Gothic literature), you'll appreciate the references to the novel and even the musical as well.
That being said, if you're not that familiar with Jekyll and Hyde, this is a great entryway into similar media. You don't have to know everything about the original story to enjoy this fresh new take.
Not only is the story unique and captivating with diverse compelling characters, the art style is GORGEOUS to look at. I've been following this webcomic for years now and it just keeps getting prettier and prettier.
Pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I'm so excited to see it in physical form and I'm thrilled it's getting the attention it deserves.
That being said, if you're not that familiar with Jekyll and Hyde, this is a great entryway into similar media. You don't have to know everything about the original story to enjoy this fresh new take.
Not only is the story unique and captivating with diverse compelling characters, the art style is GORGEOUS to look at. I've been following this webcomic for years now and it just keeps getting prettier and prettier.
Pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I'm so excited to see it in physical form and I'm thrilled it's getting the attention it deserves.
June 20, 2023
Love this story with my whole heart ❤️ Can't believe it's finally getting published!
August 20, 2024
UFFF PERO QUÉ ES ESTA MARAVILLA POR FAVOR QUÉ DIVERTIDOOOOO
September 30, 2023
thank you to razorbill and penguin teen for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
it’s really unfortunate to say that i don’t think i’ve ever struggled through a graphic novel as much as i have with this one. despite really appreciating the art style, i really could not get into the story very well.
we’re thrown right into it with honestly too many characters to keep track of. it was hard to remember who was who beyond our main cast (jekyll/hide, rachel, lanyon, the wolf guy who i can’t remember the name of, and of course frankenstein and their monster). the main cast is already a ton of creatures to keep track of and then we’re introduced to 30ish more scientists. wow, it was a lot. and really no one stood out to me, unfortunately.
also, this book is marketed as young adult. however, all the characters are adults, beyond university age. they use curse words, talk about sex (“shagging”), and definitely get a bit to drunk a few times. and yet this book is marketed for 12 and up? i’d definitely say that’s a bit generous.
it’s really unfortunate to say that i don’t think i’ve ever struggled through a graphic novel as much as i have with this one. despite really appreciating the art style, i really could not get into the story very well.
we’re thrown right into it with honestly too many characters to keep track of. it was hard to remember who was who beyond our main cast (jekyll/hide, rachel, lanyon, the wolf guy who i can’t remember the name of, and of course frankenstein and their monster). the main cast is already a ton of creatures to keep track of and then we’re introduced to 30ish more scientists. wow, it was a lot. and really no one stood out to me, unfortunately.
also, this book is marketed as young adult. however, all the characters are adults, beyond university age. they use curse words, talk about sex (“shagging”), and definitely get a bit to drunk a few times. and yet this book is marketed for 12 and up? i’d definitely say that’s a bit generous.
March 3, 2024
This book has the making of something really great. The set up for the story - the way the author has Hyde competing with Jekyl - is great. The Society thing - great. The art? Don't get me started. Gorgeous character art coupled with cinematic backgrounds. Cotugno's experience working on some great animated shows feels obvious - the pan of the camera is implied with the paneling and the story itself divides with episodic tidiness.
So why can't the storytelling get the hell out of it's own way? There's far too much dialogue here - flip through casually and look at how damn wordy those speech bubbles are. It leads to a pacing issue; reading it never becomes a slog, but back and forth conversations between characters take far too long.
Ultimately this book was a disappointment. It's a very pretty package for a mediocre product.
So why can't the storytelling get the hell out of it's own way? There's far too much dialogue here - flip through casually and look at how damn wordy those speech bubbles are. It leads to a pacing issue; reading it never becomes a slog, but back and forth conversations between characters take far too long.
Ultimately this book was a disappointment. It's a very pretty package for a mediocre product.
October 9, 2023
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I decided to read this one on a whim, mostly because I am absolutely in love with S.H. Cotugno’s illustration style. As it turns out, I’m a very shallow bookwyrm who’s easy to convince. What can I say? I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as the duality of the human nature in general, so of course that bit piqued my interest, as well.
The Glass Scientists is an action-packed YA Steampunk Graphic Novel reimagining the Jekyll/Hyde story, filled with chaotic characters, plenty of action, sometimes explosions, adorable creatures, and stunning illustrations.
This book was a ridiculous amount of fun, from the first page to the last. All the characters are larger than life (and necessarily so when we’re talking about a cast full of mad scientists . . . sorry, rogue scientists), but they’re also terribly charming. Even the rougher among them. There’s a lot of action in the book, but there are also slower, introspective moments, as well, and Cotugno strikes a nice balance between the two. I absolutely can’t wait to read more (and this book does end on quite a striking cliffhanger!).
My Thoughts
✿ The illustrations in The Glass Scientists are absolutely stunning and gorgeous, making the story not only a pleasure to read but to look at. S.H. Cotugno’s style may be slightly familiar for you (as it was for me), being that they’ve worked on Gravity Falls (which if you’ve not watched, you definitely should). So I was somewhat familiar with the style going in and already knew it was one I enjoyed. What I wasn’t prepared for were the number of absolutely stunning panels that smacked me in the face page after page.
I have a very low ability to develop mental images (bordering on aphantasia), which is why graphic novels are such a game-changer to me. Cotugno’s art style absolutely brought this version of London to life in a vivid, realistic way that makes it someplace I would love to visit (despite the danger, of course . . . or, okay, partially because of the danger). Needless to say, I will forever be willing to read more of Cotugno’s work simply as her art style is breath-taking and I low-key just kind of want this artwork in my home library because why wouldn’t you?!
✿ While graphic novels aren’t often thought of or considered based on their written narrative (for some reason?), I want to mention that aside from just a lovely artistic endeavor, The Glass Scientists has some absolutely beautiful prose at the same time. I definitely feel like this should be talked about more. The unique beauty of graphic novels is that they are both an artistic and a written medium, all smooshed together into one glorious creature (much like Frankenstein . . . if one decided to describe Frankenstein as glorious . . . though, now that I think about it, I’m not sure why anyone would be so tempted, but that’s not the point).
Aside from having gorgeous panels, The Glass Scientists also has some prose that just smacks you in the face and makes you re-read it because it’s so lovely. It all comes together to really pull the reader into this world (and, along with it, this adventure) that worked so incredibly well that I was sad when it ended. I can’t wait for subsequent volumes!
✿ The Glass Scientists is a Jekyll & Hyde retelling that’s not quite like any other. It’s a bit fantasy, a bit steampunk, a bit artistic marvel, and entirely heart. Cotugno’s version is definitely lighter than the original piece, less Gothic horror and more comedic steampunk. That’s not to say there aren’t dark elements, because there certainly are, but it’s handled more as dark comedy than anything else, so a certain sense of humor is definitely recommended going into this.
Cotugno approaches the good/evil dichotomy with a bit more thoughtfulness than Stevenson, where not everything is so black and white. I mean, life is complicated, right? “Good” and “evil” are such flimsy words. I enjoyed the exploration into different personalities, often in ways that subvert expectations. Even Hyde isn’t quite what one might imagine (although, he does sound suspiciously like the voice in my own head . . . except slightly cooler, of course, because he’s Hyde).
✿ Welcome to the Society for Arcane Sciences, home to mad scientists . . . erm, I mean rogue scientists. No one can fault this group of scientists for being super passionate about what they do. It just so happens that what they do is . . . ummm . . . unique? I actually loved seeing all the different versions that rogue science can take, some of which are expected and some of which were a bit of a surprise. All of which I would 100% dedicate my life to except, like, two that are a bit squicky and no thanks.
While there are a lot of characters in this book (and they are, admittedly, sometimes hard to keep straight at times), they all are such big personalities that they’re impossible not to love to some extent. Sure, they’re not exactly socially adept, but who would expect them to be? I had a ridiculously good time meeting these characters and navigating this world with them.
✿ Despite taking on the dichotomy of good and evil and exploring the human psyche, this is a fast-paced graphic novel filled with unforgettable characters, adorable supernatural fluffers, and plenty of explosions. I mean, what would a book about mad scientists be without explosions and fire? This seems perfectly reasonable. While it’s not all action and adventure, this book is anything but slow. As one might imagine, life in this version of 1800s London isn’t a walk in the park, despite having adorable mythical creatures. All the characters are facing their own struggles. Some are a little more personal, like Jekyll quite literally arguing with the voice in his head. Others are a little more violent. But hey, that’s what makes this story so thrilling! No matter what kind of story you prefer, there’s a little something for everyone.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
I decided to read this one on a whim, mostly because I am absolutely in love with S.H. Cotugno’s illustration style. As it turns out, I’m a very shallow bookwyrm who’s easy to convince. What can I say? I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as the duality of the human nature in general, so of course that bit piqued my interest, as well.
The Glass Scientists is an action-packed YA Steampunk Graphic Novel reimagining the Jekyll/Hyde story, filled with chaotic characters, plenty of action, sometimes explosions, adorable creatures, and stunning illustrations.
This book was a ridiculous amount of fun, from the first page to the last. All the characters are larger than life (and necessarily so when we’re talking about a cast full of mad scientists . . . sorry, rogue scientists), but they’re also terribly charming. Even the rougher among them. There’s a lot of action in the book, but there are also slower, introspective moments, as well, and Cotugno strikes a nice balance between the two. I absolutely can’t wait to read more (and this book does end on quite a striking cliffhanger!).
My Thoughts
✿ The illustrations in The Glass Scientists are absolutely stunning and gorgeous, making the story not only a pleasure to read but to look at. S.H. Cotugno’s style may be slightly familiar for you (as it was for me), being that they’ve worked on Gravity Falls (which if you’ve not watched, you definitely should). So I was somewhat familiar with the style going in and already knew it was one I enjoyed. What I wasn’t prepared for were the number of absolutely stunning panels that smacked me in the face page after page.
I have a very low ability to develop mental images (bordering on aphantasia), which is why graphic novels are such a game-changer to me. Cotugno’s art style absolutely brought this version of London to life in a vivid, realistic way that makes it someplace I would love to visit (despite the danger, of course . . . or, okay, partially because of the danger). Needless to say, I will forever be willing to read more of Cotugno’s work simply as her art style is breath-taking and I low-key just kind of want this artwork in my home library because why wouldn’t you?!
✿ While graphic novels aren’t often thought of or considered based on their written narrative (for some reason?), I want to mention that aside from just a lovely artistic endeavor, The Glass Scientists has some absolutely beautiful prose at the same time. I definitely feel like this should be talked about more. The unique beauty of graphic novels is that they are both an artistic and a written medium, all smooshed together into one glorious creature (much like Frankenstein . . . if one decided to describe Frankenstein as glorious . . . though, now that I think about it, I’m not sure why anyone would be so tempted, but that’s not the point).
Aside from having gorgeous panels, The Glass Scientists also has some prose that just smacks you in the face and makes you re-read it because it’s so lovely. It all comes together to really pull the reader into this world (and, along with it, this adventure) that worked so incredibly well that I was sad when it ended. I can’t wait for subsequent volumes!
✿ The Glass Scientists is a Jekyll & Hyde retelling that’s not quite like any other. It’s a bit fantasy, a bit steampunk, a bit artistic marvel, and entirely heart. Cotugno’s version is definitely lighter than the original piece, less Gothic horror and more comedic steampunk. That’s not to say there aren’t dark elements, because there certainly are, but it’s handled more as dark comedy than anything else, so a certain sense of humor is definitely recommended going into this.
Cotugno approaches the good/evil dichotomy with a bit more thoughtfulness than Stevenson, where not everything is so black and white. I mean, life is complicated, right? “Good” and “evil” are such flimsy words. I enjoyed the exploration into different personalities, often in ways that subvert expectations. Even Hyde isn’t quite what one might imagine (although, he does sound suspiciously like the voice in my own head . . . except slightly cooler, of course, because he’s Hyde).
✿ Welcome to the Society for Arcane Sciences, home to mad scientists . . . erm, I mean rogue scientists. No one can fault this group of scientists for being super passionate about what they do. It just so happens that what they do is . . . ummm . . . unique? I actually loved seeing all the different versions that rogue science can take, some of which are expected and some of which were a bit of a surprise. All of which I would 100% dedicate my life to except, like, two that are a bit squicky and no thanks.
While there are a lot of characters in this book (and they are, admittedly, sometimes hard to keep straight at times), they all are such big personalities that they’re impossible not to love to some extent. Sure, they’re not exactly socially adept, but who would expect them to be? I had a ridiculously good time meeting these characters and navigating this world with them.
✿ Despite taking on the dichotomy of good and evil and exploring the human psyche, this is a fast-paced graphic novel filled with unforgettable characters, adorable supernatural fluffers, and plenty of explosions. I mean, what would a book about mad scientists be without explosions and fire? This seems perfectly reasonable. While it’s not all action and adventure, this book is anything but slow. As one might imagine, life in this version of 1800s London isn’t a walk in the park, despite having adorable mythical creatures. All the characters are facing their own struggles. Some are a little more personal, like Jekyll quite literally arguing with the voice in his head. Others are a little more violent. But hey, that’s what makes this story so thrilling! No matter what kind of story you prefer, there’s a little something for everyone.
September 30, 2023
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really fun graphic novel! To start, the art was very captivating and made the story even more fun to read. The characters all had such interesting designs, I wanted to learn more about every one of them.
The story itself was intriguing and kept my attention the whole time. I like this take of Jekyll and Hyde. Both sides were interesting to read about. I thought the idea of these scientists all living together and doing their work was such a fun idea! Going through and meeting all of them and what their expertise was, was one of my favourite parts! I would read about any of them on their own, honestly. There was a lot going on in this story and I am excited to see where things go in the next volume.
I would definitely recommend this graphic novel!
This was a really fun graphic novel! To start, the art was very captivating and made the story even more fun to read. The characters all had such interesting designs, I wanted to learn more about every one of them.
The story itself was intriguing and kept my attention the whole time. I like this take of Jekyll and Hyde. Both sides were interesting to read about. I thought the idea of these scientists all living together and doing their work was such a fun idea! Going through and meeting all of them and what their expertise was, was one of my favourite parts! I would read about any of them on their own, honestly. There was a lot going on in this story and I am excited to see where things go in the next volume.
I would definitely recommend this graphic novel!
October 1, 2023
The artwork in The Glass Scientists was absolutely gorgeous. I often found myself studying the art trying to take in every detail and constantly bookmarking pages so I could go back and look and at them again. Along with the art, I also loved the plot of the graphic novel. It was an interesting take on the familiar tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I enjoyed both characters immensely and how one was depicted when the other was dormant. The lodgers were another great part of the story. Jasper, Rachel and Robert specifically were my favorites, but I just liked the dynamic of all of the scientists living together. There was also the edition of some elements/characters from Frankenstein which was probably my favorite aspect of the story. I’m really excited to see what comes next in volume two!
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
March 26, 2024
A very fun take on Jekyll & Hyde. Loved the atmosphere and the art, and would pick up the next installment (cliffhanger!!). I got a little lost in the sauce with some of the action sequences, but otherwise had no problem following the story, metaphors, or the large cast of loveable and odd characters.
May 12, 2024
A VERY GOOD BOOK YES !!! ended in such a cliffhanger like holy moly. everyone's designs. they are all so so attractive and cute. frankenstein and frankenstein's creature my beloved <333. robert my beloved <333 frankenstein's creature my beloved <333. RACHEL MY BELOVED !!!! i wish gay people actually existed. really really good graphic novel. five stars. read it in like a day.
January 15, 2024
The Glass Scientist Vol 1 by S.H. Cotugno is a gothic, reimagining of Jekyll and Hyde. There are werewolves, a house turned into a giant laboratory for refugee geniuses, and a female Frankenstein. This gaslamp fantasy graphic novel written by a Nonbinary mixed-heritage author is about buried secrets, mad science, and misunderstood monsters.
I found it incredibly difficult for me to immerse myself in the art and the text as the ARC that was provided was *incredibly* blurry. There was text I just had to guess through as it was impossible to read.
When Hyde, first appeared, I was a lot more intrigued, but overall it felt like a wave where my interest waxed and waned but never to a degree that I was truly interested in where the story was going.
Around 50% of the way there was the first mention of queer characters, I found the two and half pages of a mob-like crowd talking over the unconscious form of Frankenstein, and speculated on her gender and sexual orientation very strange to me. The conversation was then dropped and never brought up again for the rest of the novel. Some of the dialogue included:
"Is Frankenstein a girl?"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
"Just what I was thinking"
"I really couldn't tell"
"I have so many questions"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
>> “Yes, Frankenstein is a woman, now as I was saying…”
"Was she originally a man?"
"Or does the Frankenstein prefer the company of **other women**" With "other women" bolded"
“There were witnesses! They saw HIM die!”
"But seriously, is Frankenstein a lesbian or what?"
Personally, I did find it a little off-putting, especially since there was really no follow through to the conversation that seem to have been brought up, in addition to the character that was been vehemently discussed was unconscious. Please note that the author is non-binary and while I am queer, I am not a member of the trans community, and therefore, please do take the above portion of my review with a grain of salt. I did speak to my trans friend about this and showed them the scene and based on the pages that they saw they felt very uncomfortable.
Additionally, as this book is marketed to ages 12 and up (this age can be found on the first page of the arc as the suggested audience), I do find it a little strange that the word "slut" was used a number of times as an insult in the book. I do not think that children as young as 12 would truly understand how to use the word "slut" without insulting women, whether intentional or otherwise. There is also a scene where a character projectile vomits blood onto another character and that character just spends the next couple of chapters covered in blood.
While I understand that kids of any age may be exposed to gore and a variety of swear words, I'm not too sure it's necessary to have a book marketed to children with slurs like "slut" in it.
Others did enjoy it, but overall this was a miss for me.
I found it incredibly difficult for me to immerse myself in the art and the text as the ARC that was provided was *incredibly* blurry. There was text I just had to guess through as it was impossible to read.
When Hyde, first appeared, I was a lot more intrigued, but overall it felt like a wave where my interest waxed and waned but never to a degree that I was truly interested in where the story was going.
Around 50% of the way there was the first mention of queer characters, I found the two and half pages of a mob-like crowd talking over the unconscious form of Frankenstein, and speculated on her gender and sexual orientation very strange to me. The conversation was then dropped and never brought up again for the rest of the novel. Some of the dialogue included:
"Is Frankenstein a girl?"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
"Just what I was thinking"
"I really couldn't tell"
"I have so many questions"
"Is he?" "Is he?" "Is he?"
>> “Yes, Frankenstein is a woman, now as I was saying…”
"Was she originally a man?"
"Or does the Frankenstein prefer the company of **other women**" With "other women" bolded"
“There were witnesses! They saw HIM die!”
"But seriously, is Frankenstein a lesbian or what?"
Personally, I did find it a little off-putting, especially since there was really no follow through to the conversation that seem to have been brought up, in addition to the character that was been vehemently discussed was unconscious. Please note that the author is non-binary and while I am queer, I am not a member of the trans community, and therefore, please do take the above portion of my review with a grain of salt. I did speak to my trans friend about this and showed them the scene and based on the pages that they saw they felt very uncomfortable.
Additionally, as this book is marketed to ages 12 and up (this age can be found on the first page of the arc as the suggested audience), I do find it a little strange that the word "slut" was used a number of times as an insult in the book. I do not think that children as young as 12 would truly understand how to use the word "slut" without insulting women, whether intentional or otherwise. There is also a scene where a character projectile vomits blood onto another character and that character just spends the next couple of chapters covered in blood.
While I understand that kids of any age may be exposed to gore and a variety of swear words, I'm not too sure it's necessary to have a book marketed to children with slurs like "slut" in it.
Others did enjoy it, but overall this was a miss for me.
October 2, 2023
This review is also available on my blog: Tea Rex Reads
I received a free advanced reader's copy of The Glass Scientists by H.G. Cotugno from Razorbill via Books Forward in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Razorbill and Books Forward!
The Glass Scientists takes place in steampunk London during the late 1800's. In Cotugno's world, everything from mad scientists to werewolves to fire emitting pigeons are real, and they all share a similar problem - the general public are terrified of them. People regularly chase these "monsters" away with torches and pitchforks leaving them helpless or thrown in jail.
This is where Dr. Henry Jekyll comes in. He along with an affluent friend have founded the Society for Arcane Scientists. Here Dr. Jekyll has provided a home for several of London's rogue scientists and misunderstood monsters to live and conduct research in relative peace. Everything is going well until an unexpected visitor shows up leading to general mayhem that threatens to forever damage the good will the Society has built up for its members. Dr. Jekyll must come up with a way to repair the damage, and bolster the Society's dwindling treasury, before he and the Lodgers all end up back out on the unfriendly London streets.
On the surface, The Glass Scientists is a graphic novel re-telling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but it doesn't take much reading to realize there's a lot more to the story than that. Within the first chapter it becomes apparent that, at its heart, this story is about people who feel different finding a place to belong. This is obviously a theme that will speak to many readers because we have all felt like we didn't belong at some point or another in our lives. However, knowing the author's background, this difference and comparison to monsters was obviously meant to bring the LGBTQ+ community to mind.
Especially in today's society, people in the LGBTQ+ community are made to feel defective and monstrous and abnormal. The way they lead their lives isn't like the way cishet people choose to live. For a lot of people, anything that is different or that they don't understand is equated with wrongness, shoved away, and feared. That's exactly how the people of London reacted to the young werewolf in the first few pages. There was no attempt at empathy or understanding. Only the recognition of difference and immediate wish to drive that difference away.
The Society for Arcane Scientists is a place for all the different disciplines of mad scientist and monster to belong. It's a found family, and it's a family created for the purpose of survival as much as acceptance. Again this is something people in marginalized communities often have to resort to. People often find it easier to shun what they don't understand than to accept it, and the shunned must band together to survive.
That being said, even within these safe communities, there can be difficulties. When a certain mad scientist who had been presumed dead for years shows up with different ideas about what makes someone a "real" mad scientist, it throws a wrench in Dr. Jekyll's plans for maintaining the Society and what it stands for. Dr. Jekyll is told in no uncertain terms that he is a fake and a fraud, and the other Lodgers are soon swayed by the words of this legendary person. They let their awe of this person overcome their logic.
Dr. Jekyll is left wondering if he truly is a scientist, and Mr. Hyde has no trouble trying to sneak in his poisonous thoughts to further complicate matters. In fact, rather than Mr. Hyde being a purely evil being in this story, his evil is subjective. Mr. Hyde does cause general mayhem, and he does do a lot of drinking and partying. However, these things aren't necessarily inherently evil. The important thing is they are bad to Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Hyde represents Dr. Jekyll's dark side as Dr. Jekyll sees it. It's a tough lesson to learn to accept yourself, both good and bad, and I don't think Dr. Jekyll managed it by the end of the story.
Deep down, The Glass Scientists is a story of acceptance - both acceptance of yourself as well as the acceptance of others. It's an important lesson that's taught through a story with beautifully drawn illustrations and a thread of humor running throughout. I'm willing to admit this graphic novel surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Even though it does have some depictions of blood, I'd still consider this a cozy fantasy story. The main characters have depth, and the story explores themes that will speak to a wide variety of readers. My only issue with it so far is a lot of the mad scientist characters were very one-dimensional, but that's to be expected in a story this short with such a large cast of secondary characters. Either way, I can't wait to read more!
I gave The Glass Scientists by S.H. Cotugno five out of five stars. I read it in one sitting, and I will more than likely seek the rest of this out online. I can't believe it started out as a web comic! It's so well illustrated and the story has just the right amount of humor to keep it from being too heavy while still getting its points across. Anyone looking for a quick, cozy read should give this graphic novel a try!
I received a free advanced reader's copy of The Glass Scientists by H.G. Cotugno from Razorbill via Books Forward in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Razorbill and Books Forward!
The Glass Scientists takes place in steampunk London during the late 1800's. In Cotugno's world, everything from mad scientists to werewolves to fire emitting pigeons are real, and they all share a similar problem - the general public are terrified of them. People regularly chase these "monsters" away with torches and pitchforks leaving them helpless or thrown in jail.
This is where Dr. Henry Jekyll comes in. He along with an affluent friend have founded the Society for Arcane Scientists. Here Dr. Jekyll has provided a home for several of London's rogue scientists and misunderstood monsters to live and conduct research in relative peace. Everything is going well until an unexpected visitor shows up leading to general mayhem that threatens to forever damage the good will the Society has built up for its members. Dr. Jekyll must come up with a way to repair the damage, and bolster the Society's dwindling treasury, before he and the Lodgers all end up back out on the unfriendly London streets.
On the surface, The Glass Scientists is a graphic novel re-telling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but it doesn't take much reading to realize there's a lot more to the story than that. Within the first chapter it becomes apparent that, at its heart, this story is about people who feel different finding a place to belong. This is obviously a theme that will speak to many readers because we have all felt like we didn't belong at some point or another in our lives. However, knowing the author's background, this difference and comparison to monsters was obviously meant to bring the LGBTQ+ community to mind.
Especially in today's society, people in the LGBTQ+ community are made to feel defective and monstrous and abnormal. The way they lead their lives isn't like the way cishet people choose to live. For a lot of people, anything that is different or that they don't understand is equated with wrongness, shoved away, and feared. That's exactly how the people of London reacted to the young werewolf in the first few pages. There was no attempt at empathy or understanding. Only the recognition of difference and immediate wish to drive that difference away.
The Society for Arcane Scientists is a place for all the different disciplines of mad scientist and monster to belong. It's a found family, and it's a family created for the purpose of survival as much as acceptance. Again this is something people in marginalized communities often have to resort to. People often find it easier to shun what they don't understand than to accept it, and the shunned must band together to survive.
That being said, even within these safe communities, there can be difficulties. When a certain mad scientist who had been presumed dead for years shows up with different ideas about what makes someone a "real" mad scientist, it throws a wrench in Dr. Jekyll's plans for maintaining the Society and what it stands for. Dr. Jekyll is told in no uncertain terms that he is a fake and a fraud, and the other Lodgers are soon swayed by the words of this legendary person. They let their awe of this person overcome their logic.
Dr. Jekyll is left wondering if he truly is a scientist, and Mr. Hyde has no trouble trying to sneak in his poisonous thoughts to further complicate matters. In fact, rather than Mr. Hyde being a purely evil being in this story, his evil is subjective. Mr. Hyde does cause general mayhem, and he does do a lot of drinking and partying. However, these things aren't necessarily inherently evil. The important thing is they are bad to Dr. Jekyll. Mr. Hyde represents Dr. Jekyll's dark side as Dr. Jekyll sees it. It's a tough lesson to learn to accept yourself, both good and bad, and I don't think Dr. Jekyll managed it by the end of the story.
Deep down, The Glass Scientists is a story of acceptance - both acceptance of yourself as well as the acceptance of others. It's an important lesson that's taught through a story with beautifully drawn illustrations and a thread of humor running throughout. I'm willing to admit this graphic novel surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Even though it does have some depictions of blood, I'd still consider this a cozy fantasy story. The main characters have depth, and the story explores themes that will speak to a wide variety of readers. My only issue with it so far is a lot of the mad scientist characters were very one-dimensional, but that's to be expected in a story this short with such a large cast of secondary characters. Either way, I can't wait to read more!
I gave The Glass Scientists by S.H. Cotugno five out of five stars. I read it in one sitting, and I will more than likely seek the rest of this out online. I can't believe it started out as a web comic! It's so well illustrated and the story has just the right amount of humor to keep it from being too heavy while still getting its points across. Anyone looking for a quick, cozy read should give this graphic novel a try!
May 16, 2024
i love this, i want my memory to be erased so i can rediscover this all over again
February 20, 2024
haha I love the little gay people in my phone
June 3, 2024
This is my first review on any book ever because I LOVE this series to my very core. I haven't been excited about a piece of media for a while now, and reading this helped me through a dark time. Not only that, I have something to look forward to every Monday (which was a day I always dreaded). The amount of joy these characters give me is truly special.
But they do have to grow on you.
My favorite character is, of course, Mr. Hyde. I was going through the longest art block of my life, and Hyde helped me out of that hole I'd fallen into.
I was also going through a reading block. I couldn't find a single book that I wanted to delve into. I felt like I had read every trope, every plot, every character. But I decided to give this one a try.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the art style. They say never to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, I had a hunch that this book was queer (which drew me right to it). Nothing inherently LGBTQIA+ happens in THIS novel, but in the second one instead, since it delves deeper into Jekyll's past with a certain school "friend". Needless to say, I can't wait until the second one comes out. You can read it in its entirety online, but I could reread these pages over and over. Plus, there's bonus content in the physical copies that can't be found online! Not to mention buying a copy helps the lovely creator. So buy like bleventeen! (Gravity Falls reference. Another thing that got me to read this book was the author's work on cartoons I've watched.)
At first read, there were a couple of things that bugged me.
Number one was Robert Lanyon's nose. Like. Come on. Why is it that pointy. But, as Mx. Cotugno progresses in the plot and art style, Lanyon's nose slowly diminishes into a reasonable shape. In novel two, he will finally look normal, I promise.
Slight annoyance number two was the ending. It was abrupt and quite confusing. Obviously, it was meant to be followed up immediately with the next chapter. However, I don't think there's a way to format it any better, as the original story was made less like a graphic novel, and more like a serial comic. At any rate, I'm glad I went online to read the rest. Like I mentioned earlier, the story has to kinda grow on you. (Or at least, it was that way for me.)
On a different note, I saw a couple of negative reviews concerning the age range for this book. As a teenager, I enjoyed it—but is it appropriate for 12-year-olds? Technically, the answer is no. BUT!!! In queer media especially, a lot of the backlash is focused on the idea of "protecting the children". The adults refuse to believe that kids are already becoming very exposed to different aspects of the world thanks to technology. And, even if a child doesn't have access to the pool of knowledge that is the internet, some friends at school certainly will. (Believe me; I have a brother in elementary school.) Whether we like it or not, preteens almost certainly know what bad words and gay people are. And, contrary to popular belief, are already aware of violence. Gasp! Shocker, I know. There was a scene in this book where a person vomited blood, which is concerning in its own right, but isn't presented as anything overly gory. It isn't unheard of OR nightmare-inducing. So, my final verdict is yes. This book is appropriate for 12-year-olds. Or at least, it's as appropriate as an internet access is. (Seriously, there's only a couple swears, with no f-bomb in sight. It's really not enough to warrant that much concern. . .*cough cough those two star people are just haters cough*)
I can't wait to see the fandom grow; this story means a lot to me, and I hope it will mean a lot to future fans as well.
I'll see you when novel two comes out!
Peace!
P.S.
[I also recently got into the Jekyll and Hyde musical! My favorite songs are "Bring on the Men", "Board Of Governors", "Alive", "Transformation", "I Need To Know", and "Murder, Murder!"]
But they do have to grow on you.
My favorite character is, of course, Mr. Hyde. I was going through the longest art block of my life, and Hyde helped me out of that hole I'd fallen into.
I was also going through a reading block. I couldn't find a single book that I wanted to delve into. I felt like I had read every trope, every plot, every character. But I decided to give this one a try.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the art style. They say never to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, I had a hunch that this book was queer (which drew me right to it). Nothing inherently LGBTQIA+ happens in THIS novel, but in the second one instead, since it delves deeper into Jekyll's past with a certain school "friend". Needless to say, I can't wait until the second one comes out. You can read it in its entirety online, but I could reread these pages over and over. Plus, there's bonus content in the physical copies that can't be found online! Not to mention buying a copy helps the lovely creator. So buy like bleventeen! (Gravity Falls reference. Another thing that got me to read this book was the author's work on cartoons I've watched.)
At first read, there were a couple of things that bugged me.
Number one was Robert Lanyon's nose. Like. Come on. Why is it that pointy. But, as Mx. Cotugno progresses in the plot and art style, Lanyon's nose slowly diminishes into a reasonable shape. In novel two, he will finally look normal, I promise.
Slight annoyance number two was the ending. It was abrupt and quite confusing. Obviously, it was meant to be followed up immediately with the next chapter. However, I don't think there's a way to format it any better, as the original story was made less like a graphic novel, and more like a serial comic. At any rate, I'm glad I went online to read the rest. Like I mentioned earlier, the story has to kinda grow on you. (Or at least, it was that way for me.)
On a different note, I saw a couple of negative reviews concerning the age range for this book. As a teenager, I enjoyed it—but is it appropriate for 12-year-olds? Technically, the answer is no. BUT!!! In queer media especially, a lot of the backlash is focused on the idea of "protecting the children". The adults refuse to believe that kids are already becoming very exposed to different aspects of the world thanks to technology. And, even if a child doesn't have access to the pool of knowledge that is the internet, some friends at school certainly will. (Believe me; I have a brother in elementary school.) Whether we like it or not, preteens almost certainly know what bad words and gay people are. And, contrary to popular belief, are already aware of violence. Gasp! Shocker, I know. There was a scene in this book where a person vomited blood, which is concerning in its own right, but isn't presented as anything overly gory. It isn't unheard of OR nightmare-inducing. So, my final verdict is yes. This book is appropriate for 12-year-olds. Or at least, it's as appropriate as an internet access is. (Seriously, there's only a couple swears, with no f-bomb in sight. It's really not enough to warrant that much concern. . .*cough cough those two star people are just haters cough*)
I can't wait to see the fandom grow; this story means a lot to me, and I hope it will mean a lot to future fans as well.
I'll see you when novel two comes out!
Peace!
P.S.
[I also recently got into the Jekyll and Hyde musical! My favorite songs are "Bring on the Men", "Board Of Governors", "Alive", "Transformation", "I Need To Know", and "Murder, Murder!"]
October 2, 2023
Having followed the comic for numerous years, this is one of, if not my most, favourite graphic novel/comic out there. My graphic novel collection also includes popular series such as Lore Olympus but I don't think I like LO half as much as I love this tale! I got into it during my love and research of the original classic book, rather than through fansites as many others have, and it's my favourite rendition of the tale.
It's a magical parody on the classic Jekyll and Hyde novel turned magical, mysterious and queer. Featuring Jekyll, Hyde and Lanyon, other original characters, Frankenstein and their monster, and a whole host of mad scientists and fantastical creatures!
I would recommend this book for young adults and teens but older adults can appreciate the art and storytelling as well, especially fans of existing animated shows such as Owl House and Gravity Falls. The art is beautiful, especially the cover pages and the storytelling and page composition is brilliant (as to be expected by a storyboard artist!).
I did read some other reviews negatively mentioning how it shouldn't be marketed to 12 year olds and that the story is hard to follow. Admittedly I have struggled since the beginnings to keep up with all the cast, primarily all of the scientists at the institute as there's a large variety of names and faces, some of whom only seem to pop up occassionally.
I however strongly disagree with the comments on how it is not age appropriate for a younger audience.
Although there is mentions of insults, swears and similar, the author is still careful with what is shown, possibly due to having come from a background of working on childrens' animated shows.
The book isn't rife or overbearingly filled with curses as others make it out to be (which is surprising to be fair as it IS a portrayal of cockney London in sections) and no sexual activity is displayed on the pages. I personally would allow a 12 year old or over to read this book without hesitation and if it's the instances of queer characters and mentions of queer relations winding up readers, then that's a judge of their character, not the book's.
Besides, let's face it, unless your child or teen has completely restricted access to the internet, only reads books for kids half their age and never sees another person outside their own household, they are probably aware of far more colourful language than is used in this light-hearted story. The language and depictions are incredibly mild, even if it does mention and deal in a thought-out manner with themes such as homophobia/transphobia and similar.
It's a great book, gets younger audiences into classic literature (without the daunting language of an early 19th century book), and is a great read for young queer folk who want something quirky but relatable.
Brilliant read.
It's a magical parody on the classic Jekyll and Hyde novel turned magical, mysterious and queer. Featuring Jekyll, Hyde and Lanyon, other original characters, Frankenstein and their monster, and a whole host of mad scientists and fantastical creatures!
I would recommend this book for young adults and teens but older adults can appreciate the art and storytelling as well, especially fans of existing animated shows such as Owl House and Gravity Falls. The art is beautiful, especially the cover pages and the storytelling and page composition is brilliant (as to be expected by a storyboard artist!).
I did read some other reviews negatively mentioning how it shouldn't be marketed to 12 year olds and that the story is hard to follow. Admittedly I have struggled since the beginnings to keep up with all the cast, primarily all of the scientists at the institute as there's a large variety of names and faces, some of whom only seem to pop up occassionally.
I however strongly disagree with the comments on how it is not age appropriate for a younger audience.
Although there is mentions of insults, swears and similar, the author is still careful with what is shown, possibly due to having come from a background of working on childrens' animated shows.
The book isn't rife or overbearingly filled with curses as others make it out to be (which is surprising to be fair as it IS a portrayal of cockney London in sections) and no sexual activity is displayed on the pages. I personally would allow a 12 year old or over to read this book without hesitation and if it's the instances of queer characters and mentions of queer relations winding up readers, then that's a judge of their character, not the book's.
Besides, let's face it, unless your child or teen has completely restricted access to the internet, only reads books for kids half their age and never sees another person outside their own household, they are probably aware of far more colourful language than is used in this light-hearted story. The language and depictions are incredibly mild, even if it does mention and deal in a thought-out manner with themes such as homophobia/transphobia and similar.
It's a great book, gets younger audiences into classic literature (without the daunting language of an early 19th century book), and is a great read for young queer folk who want something quirky but relatable.
Brilliant read.
May 23, 2024
💫 representation: LGBTQ characters -- genderqueer Frankenstein's monster, sapphic Frankenstein
💫 content warnings for: dark thoughts, violence, swearing
"...but i'd like to think i'd do anything for science." <-- ME ME ME ME ME ME (and that's on ✨ burnt out gifted kid trauma ✨)
this. comic.
dark academia scientist gays!! a diverse cast!! full of queer love!!
i've been obsessed with gothic literature since high school. it started with Hamlet, then went to Frankentstein, and then of course, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. add mad scientists and you've got my entire STEM girlie heart. to put it simply, i heard Frankenstein AND Jekyll and Hyde and came running.
being met with a wolf on the first page and the first few scenes, i knew it was going to be a good time. i was wrong. it was an EXCELLENT time.
all of the characters are fun and endearing -- sapphic Frankenstein my beloved <333, genderqueer Frankenstein's Monster my beloved <333, werewolf simp certified Rachel my beloved <333, CUTE WEREWOLF BOY MY BELOVED!! ugh, sapphic Frankenstein PLEASE- the scene with her and Dr. Lavender had me by the throat and i think they should kiss and run away together. and maybe they could, i don't know, take me with them? 🥺💜
oh. oh. Queen Lucy is gorgeous and pretty and breathtaking and such a baddie and are you free Queen Lucy? because i'm free... if you're free. please be free.
and the story so far? it's effortlessly queer. it's open. it's silly, while still maintaining the plot. all of the references to previous scientists, like the room full of creatures (Lovelace and Curie were my favorites), add to the charm. Dr. Jekyll is <333 GUYS THIS IS JUST A VERY GOOD BOOK !!!
also, shoutout to my girl Rachel. she is so me fr because the moment a nervous, disheveled science boy walks into my workplace and reveals that he is a werewolf, i'd also be trying to woo him.
TLDR: I LOVE GAY PEOPLE <3
ᯓ★ kin list: Dr. Jekyll, Jasper, Dr. Lavender
~ Morgan Shadow 🐺👑🏹🌊💫
💫 content warnings for: dark thoughts, violence, swearing
"...but i'd like to think i'd do anything for science." <-- ME ME ME ME ME ME (and that's on ✨ burnt out gifted kid trauma ✨)
this. comic.
dark academia scientist gays!! a diverse cast!! full of queer love!!
i've been obsessed with gothic literature since high school. it started with Hamlet, then went to Frankentstein, and then of course, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. add mad scientists and you've got my entire STEM girlie heart. to put it simply, i heard Frankenstein AND Jekyll and Hyde and came running.
being met with a wolf on the first page and the first few scenes, i knew it was going to be a good time. i was wrong. it was an EXCELLENT time.
all of the characters are fun and endearing -- sapphic Frankenstein my beloved <333, genderqueer Frankenstein's Monster my beloved <333, werewolf simp certified Rachel my beloved <333, CUTE WEREWOLF BOY MY BELOVED!! ugh, sapphic Frankenstein PLEASE- the scene with her and Dr. Lavender had me by the throat and i think they should kiss and run away together. and maybe they could, i don't know, take me with them? 🥺💜
oh. oh. Queen Lucy is gorgeous and pretty and breathtaking and such a baddie and are you free Queen Lucy? because i'm free... if you're free. please be free.
and the story so far? it's effortlessly queer. it's open. it's silly, while still maintaining the plot. all of the references to previous scientists, like the room full of creatures (Lovelace and Curie were my favorites), add to the charm. Dr. Jekyll is <333 GUYS THIS IS JUST A VERY GOOD BOOK !!!
also, shoutout to my girl Rachel. she is so me fr because the moment a nervous, disheveled science boy walks into my workplace and reveals that he is a werewolf, i'd also be trying to woo him.
TLDR: I LOVE GAY PEOPLE <3
ᯓ★ kin list: Dr. Jekyll, Jasper, Dr. Lavender
~ Morgan Shadow 🐺👑🏹🌊💫
November 9, 2023
“Now I am abominably behind schedule so could you perhaps… not exist for a bit?”
I was recently gifted a copy of The Glass Scientists: Volume One, a retelling of Jekyll & Hyde in graphic novel form adapted from the ongoing webtoon. Thanks so much to Books Forward!
Honestly, I don’t have any criticisms. I enjoyed the illustrations immensely. They were vibrant yet contrasting against dark tones. They beautifully captured the atmosphere of what a haven for mad scientists in 19th Century London would be like.
I love the nods towards mad scientists, monsters, and the lore surrounding them from various classic novels. Frankenstein and her monster had a heavy feature in this book. She stirs up Jekyll’s society quite heavily.
The Glass Scientists is humorous and heartfelt, simultaneously a warm hug and a sigh of emotional release. It tackles an array of topics deftly, anything from sex to literature to sexual identity.
“You see, Jekyll just loves caretaking- it’s so much easier to ignore your own problems when you’re fussing over someone else’s.”
I have such a soft spot for Jekyll and the weight that is on his shoulders. He’s confident and reassuring in public, yet riddled with insecurities and fears in private. He seems to grapple with his sexuality and that manifests in different ways. Hyde is mischievous and calculated, offering comedic relief and drama to the story.
“Rachel, we’ve been over this. If you want to shag someone, just walk up to them and say, “Hallo, fancy a shag?” You don’t need all this confectionary pretense.”
There’s also a host of other lovable characters that we are introduced to that I can’t wait to learn more about. I especially enjoyed Rachel and Lanyon, both of whom love the people in their lives fiercely. There’s a heavy found family trope in The Glass Scientists and that’s always a favorite of mine.
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series and am sad that I didn’t know about it until recently. This has the first seven chapters of the webtoon and you can continue on the website or wait for the next volume to come out! It ends on a cliffhanger, so I will be racing over so I can see how Jekyll and Hyde get out of their latest mishaps.
I was recently gifted a copy of The Glass Scientists: Volume One, a retelling of Jekyll & Hyde in graphic novel form adapted from the ongoing webtoon. Thanks so much to Books Forward!
Honestly, I don’t have any criticisms. I enjoyed the illustrations immensely. They were vibrant yet contrasting against dark tones. They beautifully captured the atmosphere of what a haven for mad scientists in 19th Century London would be like.
I love the nods towards mad scientists, monsters, and the lore surrounding them from various classic novels. Frankenstein and her monster had a heavy feature in this book. She stirs up Jekyll’s society quite heavily.
The Glass Scientists is humorous and heartfelt, simultaneously a warm hug and a sigh of emotional release. It tackles an array of topics deftly, anything from sex to literature to sexual identity.
“You see, Jekyll just loves caretaking- it’s so much easier to ignore your own problems when you’re fussing over someone else’s.”
I have such a soft spot for Jekyll and the weight that is on his shoulders. He’s confident and reassuring in public, yet riddled with insecurities and fears in private. He seems to grapple with his sexuality and that manifests in different ways. Hyde is mischievous and calculated, offering comedic relief and drama to the story.
“Rachel, we’ve been over this. If you want to shag someone, just walk up to them and say, “Hallo, fancy a shag?” You don’t need all this confectionary pretense.”
There’s also a host of other lovable characters that we are introduced to that I can’t wait to learn more about. I especially enjoyed Rachel and Lanyon, both of whom love the people in their lives fiercely. There’s a heavy found family trope in The Glass Scientists and that’s always a favorite of mine.
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series and am sad that I didn’t know about it until recently. This has the first seven chapters of the webtoon and you can continue on the website or wait for the next volume to come out! It ends on a cliffhanger, so I will be racing over so I can see how Jekyll and Hyde get out of their latest mishaps.
January 5, 2024
Summary:
Most of us have grown up hearing the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But what if their stories were different than we were led to believe? What if all the mad scientist stories were different? Let's dive into this steampunk world and find out.
Young Dr. Henry Jekyll is working incredibly hard to change the public opinion of mad scientists. He even founded a society to help – the Society for Arcane Sciences. Unfortunately, things aren't quite going to plan.
Review:
Guys, do not sleep on this series! It's absolutely fantastic! I went into The Glass Scientists expecting a fun but overall light read – and I was blown away by what I got. The Glass Scientists is quirky, quick-witted, and overwhelmingly charming. It swept me off my feet and left me wishing there was more (why yes, I am counting down the days to volume two, thank you for asking).
The Glass Scientists Volume 1 introduces us to our cast of characters, primarily Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and a few other famous scientists. Likewise, it introduces us to a new version of London – one where (most) mad scientists are trying to find a way to go legit. All thanks to Dr. Jekyll, of course.
The twists and new takes on the characters make them exceedingly charming – as does the wit behind their design. It is a fun read, especially as you never quite know what they will do next. If you enjoy seeing classic literature with a twist, this series is for you!
Did I mention that the artwork is just as vibrant as the writing? If you peek at the cover, you'll have a good idea of the quality of work in store for you. The characters are surprisingly cute (considering their history) and expressive. And I must confess that I love the heavy use of cooler shades for the backgrounds.
I should mention that The Glass Scientists is based on a webcomic. I haven't personally read it...but now I clearly have to because I'm head over heels.
Highlights:
Clever and Creative
Historical Fiction – with a Twist
Steampunk Vibes
Vibrant Characters
Fantastic Artwork
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Most of us have grown up hearing the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. But what if their stories were different than we were led to believe? What if all the mad scientist stories were different? Let's dive into this steampunk world and find out.
Young Dr. Henry Jekyll is working incredibly hard to change the public opinion of mad scientists. He even founded a society to help – the Society for Arcane Sciences. Unfortunately, things aren't quite going to plan.
Review:
Guys, do not sleep on this series! It's absolutely fantastic! I went into The Glass Scientists expecting a fun but overall light read – and I was blown away by what I got. The Glass Scientists is quirky, quick-witted, and overwhelmingly charming. It swept me off my feet and left me wishing there was more (why yes, I am counting down the days to volume two, thank you for asking).
The Glass Scientists Volume 1 introduces us to our cast of characters, primarily Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein, and a few other famous scientists. Likewise, it introduces us to a new version of London – one where (most) mad scientists are trying to find a way to go legit. All thanks to Dr. Jekyll, of course.
The twists and new takes on the characters make them exceedingly charming – as does the wit behind their design. It is a fun read, especially as you never quite know what they will do next. If you enjoy seeing classic literature with a twist, this series is for you!
Did I mention that the artwork is just as vibrant as the writing? If you peek at the cover, you'll have a good idea of the quality of work in store for you. The characters are surprisingly cute (considering their history) and expressive. And I must confess that I love the heavy use of cooler shades for the backgrounds.
I should mention that The Glass Scientists is based on a webcomic. I haven't personally read it...but now I clearly have to because I'm head over heels.
Highlights:
Clever and Creative
Historical Fiction – with a Twist
Steampunk Vibes
Vibrant Characters
Fantastic Artwork
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
October 21, 2023
I'm so glad it's finally here!!
I'm so glad this comic has been published physically. The Glass Scientists has been one of my favourite webcomics since I discovered it back in 2017 and have been following it page by page ever since. It was in the height of my Jekyll and Hyde phase that I was scrambling around for any adaptation I could find when I found this! And what a story it is! The care and detail put into the story is unmatched, and the art is spectacular and even though it is an adaptation of sorts it is it's own thing and it was always fun going page by page never knowing what was going to happen next.
It's great to go back to the start again considering the point at which the comic is at now and to see it as a whole, some pages and moments I remember more than others but it was nice to experience it in another way. I loved noticing things in more detail than I did before, especially with hints to moments that get explored more in the future. The writing is top notch, and this time round, I truly loved seeing the juxtaposition of Jekyll in how he was introduced with Jasper to how he eventually is when left alone with his own thoughts. Brings me back to a time where all we truly wanted was for Henry to sleep haha.
Can't wait for the next published issue. I loved the extra content included at the back of this and I just can't wait to continue re-reading whilst also enjoying the story as it continues on the webcomic side of things.
(I also love an excuse to rant and rave about this comic, so, yay! Excited for the future on this comic, though in the bts 'vault' segment it really remined me what the original story was like and that kind of makes me scared for Henry... but I also can't wait to see it pan out. I'll be sad for the day when it is eventually finished, but I'm immeasurably enjoying the ride and can't wait to see the conclusion (not that it has to happen any time soon haha 💕))
I'm so glad this comic has been published physically. The Glass Scientists has been one of my favourite webcomics since I discovered it back in 2017 and have been following it page by page ever since. It was in the height of my Jekyll and Hyde phase that I was scrambling around for any adaptation I could find when I found this! And what a story it is! The care and detail put into the story is unmatched, and the art is spectacular and even though it is an adaptation of sorts it is it's own thing and it was always fun going page by page never knowing what was going to happen next.
It's great to go back to the start again considering the point at which the comic is at now and to see it as a whole, some pages and moments I remember more than others but it was nice to experience it in another way. I loved noticing things in more detail than I did before, especially with hints to moments that get explored more in the future. The writing is top notch, and this time round, I truly loved seeing the juxtaposition of Jekyll in how he was introduced with Jasper to how he eventually is when left alone with his own thoughts. Brings me back to a time where all we truly wanted was for Henry to sleep haha.
Can't wait for the next published issue. I loved the extra content included at the back of this and I just can't wait to continue re-reading whilst also enjoying the story as it continues on the webcomic side of things.
(I also love an excuse to rant and rave about this comic, so, yay! Excited for the future on this comic, though in the bts 'vault' segment it really remined me what the original story was like and that kind of makes me scared for Henry... but I also can't wait to see it pan out. I'll be sad for the day when it is eventually finished, but I'm immeasurably enjoying the ride and can't wait to see the conclusion (not that it has to happen any time soon haha 💕))
October 9, 2023
THE GLASS SCIENTISTS VOL ɪ
𝚂.𝙷. 𝙶𝚘𝚝𝚞𝚐𝚗𝚘
10/3/23
🌟🌟🌟🌟 🌟
⚙️𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:
Victorian London. The people…ok, mobs, aren’t very happy after the whole Frankenstein fiasco. Now there’s a werewolf wandering the streets…. well, that’s not good. They’re hungry for blood.
But, ✨ a sparkly carriage shows up with a man promising he can take care of everything. That man… Dr. Henry Jekyll.
Jekyll has created a community for so-called mad scientists (he prefers ʀᴏɢᴜᴇ), called 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙾𝙲𝙸𝙴𝚃𝚈 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙰𝚁𝙲𝙰𝙽𝙴 𝚂𝙲𝙸𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴. They’re all working on their projects in this new family when a curious and enigmatic visitor arrives intending to turn the group upside down. Again, not good. Jekyll needs there to be no chaos because he has a secret he needs to stay that way.
🔬𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
I adore retelling so that captivated me. I also really loved the themes of self acceptance and identifying with duality within yourself. Although this is technically classified as YA, we all know there are a multitude of things to learn from every kind of lit. Reading this tapped into many feelings within myself.
There’s also so much humor in here! Many, many giggles.
I had enjoyed reading this graphic novel!! I’m looking forward to Vol II because… cliffhanger!!
S.H. Cotugno’s illustrations are so vivid and stunning. It shouldn’t surprise you that they have worked as a storyboard artist in animation and on shows Gravity Falls and The Owl House (my son was very impressed, major cool mom points with the 23yo!)
The Glass Scientists is also a webcomic at theglassscientists.com
🐺RIYL
•Jekyll & Hyde/Frankenstein/Dr. Moreau… Misunderstood Monsters
•Mad scientists (err.. rogue scientists)
•Victorian Era /Steampunk
•Gothic fiction
•Queer rep
•Self acceptance
•Found family
Thank you #partner @booksforwardpr for inviting me on the tour and along with @arythusa @penguinteen for the early review copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 3, 2024
The Glass Scientists by Sage Contugno is my favourite graphic novel of all time. The art is simply beautiful, does an unparalleled job at conveying the story. The story itself is engaging, leaving you hanging off every page wanting more. I enjoyed all main characters, side characters and sub-plots, especially the uniqueness and personality that is shown in all of them through the details of the art and dialogue. My favourite detail is that Rachel is under the impression that Hyde has never done a single thing wrong in his entire life and is like a small new-born baby bird and a cinnamon scone (all actual quotes she used), when Hyde is literally the embodiment of evil and has committed several atrocities. I also loved that there was a reason for this that is explored later in the comic about why she does this, adding even more depth to her character. I do like how Sage Contugno portrayed Hyde in this adaption, not making him just pure evil like most of them do, but instead making him all the things Jekyll has to repress in order to fit in to polite Victorian society. Hyde has development and feelings throughout the novel, as well as a great sense of humour that makes him more loveable and easier to sympathise with (yes, he is my favourite character.). The scene in the Hall of Memories stuck out to me because of the exploration of Jekyll's psyche and the foreshadowing in the form of some memory snippets. I have read and re-read this comic on The Glass Scientists website twenty-one times, and Monday is my favourite day of the week because a new comic page comes out (I know! I can't believe I actually like Monday's now!). So anyway, those are all the reasons I love it off the tip of my tongue (I'm sure there's many more), but I would really recommend you read The Glass Scientists as soon as you can.
October 15, 2023
I've been obsessed with the story of Jekyll and Hyde since my high school years. I've never really been happy with modern adaptations of it - they seem to miss the point - but there's ONE notable exception to that, and it's The Glass Scientists.
I found this webcomic my first year of college and it's been a happy fixture of my Mondays ever since. From the beautifully illustrated Society for Arcane Sciences to the fun, vibrant, diverse cast, to the ONLY portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde I've ever seen that manages to perfectly balance the two takes of the story - Hyde being a separate entity and Hyde being a mask for Jekyll to wear - there's nothing NOT to love about this story. And all of this is surface level as well - once you start reading, you'll find a story about repression, reconciliation, and finding your place in the world when it feels like you don't even fit in with the outcasts. It's not a flawless story, of course, but any minor issues you might find are complete eclipsed by how fun and touching this story is.
I could honestly go on about The Glass Scientists for pages, so I'm intentionally keeping this short to stop myself from writing a novel. Just know I 100% endorse this story and that even if you can read it online, it's worth having a physical copy just to support the creator and to thumb the pages with your own hands (the original story included in the volume about Frankenstein's monster going to a coffeehouse doesn't hurt either, nor do the pages of author sketches detailing their thought process creating this world. Seriously, there's a picture of Hyde with a blanket over his head and it's the cutest thing ever).
You can BEST believe I'll be buying the second volume when it comes out. 10/10, full marks.
I found this webcomic my first year of college and it's been a happy fixture of my Mondays ever since. From the beautifully illustrated Society for Arcane Sciences to the fun, vibrant, diverse cast, to the ONLY portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde I've ever seen that manages to perfectly balance the two takes of the story - Hyde being a separate entity and Hyde being a mask for Jekyll to wear - there's nothing NOT to love about this story. And all of this is surface level as well - once you start reading, you'll find a story about repression, reconciliation, and finding your place in the world when it feels like you don't even fit in with the outcasts. It's not a flawless story, of course, but any minor issues you might find are complete eclipsed by how fun and touching this story is.
I could honestly go on about The Glass Scientists for pages, so I'm intentionally keeping this short to stop myself from writing a novel. Just know I 100% endorse this story and that even if you can read it online, it's worth having a physical copy just to support the creator and to thumb the pages with your own hands (the original story included in the volume about Frankenstein's monster going to a coffeehouse doesn't hurt either, nor do the pages of author sketches detailing their thought process creating this world. Seriously, there's a picture of Hyde with a blanket over his head and it's the cutest thing ever).
You can BEST believe I'll be buying the second volume when it comes out. 10/10, full marks.
August 28, 2023
thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 stars
I was initially drawn into this book by the cover and the title, a new look at classics that I have admittedly never read but have become familiar with largely through retellings. Overall, I enjoyed Cotugno’s take on Jekyll & Hyde and the continuous idea of the mad or rogue scientist. I found the book itself to be a little hard to read, or at least hard to read as quickly as I wanted to. There is an immense amount of story packed into these 7 chapters. For avid graphic novel readers, lovers of retold classics, and intense queer allegory (or just queer people), this might be worth checking out!
For me, the highest point in this book was the author note/letter at the end where Cotugno explains the ideas and reasoning behind the story. This is what will ultimately result in me probably reading the rest of this series once it's published. While I found myself really interested in the ideas behind the book itself and some of the character and story development, I just had a hard time getting myself to continue reading. It’s a fairly dense graphic novel, which isn’t a bad thing, just outside of what I’m used to. Because this is also only the beginning of the series, we don’t really get into the meat of the plot until about halfway through the book.
Ultimately, I am decently interested in this book and I thought it was a well-told story, but definitely outside of my comfort area in the graphic novel sphere. I think the main character’s are characterized well and I look forward to how they’re explored in subsequent volumes.
3.5 stars
I was initially drawn into this book by the cover and the title, a new look at classics that I have admittedly never read but have become familiar with largely through retellings. Overall, I enjoyed Cotugno’s take on Jekyll & Hyde and the continuous idea of the mad or rogue scientist. I found the book itself to be a little hard to read, or at least hard to read as quickly as I wanted to. There is an immense amount of story packed into these 7 chapters. For avid graphic novel readers, lovers of retold classics, and intense queer allegory (or just queer people), this might be worth checking out!
For me, the highest point in this book was the author note/letter at the end where Cotugno explains the ideas and reasoning behind the story. This is what will ultimately result in me probably reading the rest of this series once it's published. While I found myself really interested in the ideas behind the book itself and some of the character and story development, I just had a hard time getting myself to continue reading. It’s a fairly dense graphic novel, which isn’t a bad thing, just outside of what I’m used to. Because this is also only the beginning of the series, we don’t really get into the meat of the plot until about halfway through the book.
Ultimately, I am decently interested in this book and I thought it was a well-told story, but definitely outside of my comfort area in the graphic novel sphere. I think the main character’s are characterized well and I look forward to how they’re explored in subsequent volumes.
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