Monster (manga)
Written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa, "Monster" was published in "Big Comic Original" from December 1994 to December 2001. The 162 chapters were periodically collected into 18 "tankōbon" volumes published by Shogakukan, the first on 30 June 1995 and the last on 28 February 2002. While writing "Monster", Urasawa began the series "20th Century Boys" in 1999, which would continue after "Monster" had finished. "Monster" received a nine-volume "kanzenban" re-release between 30 January and 29 August 2008.
Monster literature
The themes and concepts of Monster Literature are rooted in 18th century Gothic literature. The earliest examples of Gothic literature can be traced all the way back to English author Horace Walpole's novel "The Castle of Otranto" (1764). However, monster literature first emerged in the 19th century with the release of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (1818). Gothic literature includes elements of horror and terror as well as a victim who is helpless against his enemy or victimizer. This victimizer usually possesses some form of supernatural power or advantage over the victim, and uses it to cause strife in the life of the victim. In Monster literature, the victimizer is portrayed in the form of a monster that torments the protagonists. In addition, Gothic inspired Monster literature evokes extreme emotions of sorrow, desolation, and isolation.