StokerCon 2026

When Mary Shelley published Frankenstein in 1818, she unleashed a monster onto the world that is still making its mark. The first dramatic adaptation of Frankenstein was staged only six years later in 1824. Today, with hundreds of adaptations in film, graphic novels, music, and the stage, plus many novels and short stories adding to the Monster’s legend, the story remains one of the most fascinating creations in all of dark literature. This panel will discuss what makes the Monster so enduring and compelling, the best and worst offspring of the novel, and why the ideas and themes remain relevant today.