In 1992, Tundra Publishing had a large lineup of comic book series by independent creators. One of them was Madman by Mike Allred who quickly gathered a few nominations for prestigious awards (it won the Harvey for Best New Series). It was a superhero comic with a unique vision and an atypic aesthetic for the time, as Allred’s Pop Art style certainly made the book immediately distinguish itself from the rest.
From its initial success, Madman Adventures moved to Dark Horse Comics–when Denis Kitchen bought Tundra–where it gained even more popularity and colors (by Laura Allred). As the Madmanverse developed new characters were introduced and spin-off series were created. Madman himself made some appearances in other books, even from other publishers.
The story follows the adventures of Frank Einstein, a man who was revived by two scientists, Dr. Egon Boiffard and Dr. Gillespie Flem. With no memory of his past, he took the name “Frank Einstein” after his creators’ heroes, Frank Sinatra and Albert Einstein. Now reborn with enhanced abilities—superhuman agility, reflexes, and a touch of precognition—Frank remembers little of his past life. His identity as “Madman” is inspired by his childhood comic hero, Mr. Excitement. Despite his Frankenstein-like appearance, including blue skin and scars, he has a girlfriend, Joe Lombard, and is joined by allies like the alien Mott, invisible scientist Gale, and robotic companions Astroman and Machina.
The publication history of Madman is not the simplest as the book changed publishers multiple times. It started at Tundra in the Grafik Muzik anthology before getting a solo book titled Madman Adventures, went to Dark Horses where it evolved to become Madman Comics for a few years, then Allred established his own publishing company, AAA Pop Comics, where he continued Madman’s story with The Atomics–a new comic book series focused on Frank’s superhero team, the Atomics. It stopped in 2001, but Frank Einstein returned in Madman Atomic Comics launched at Image Comics in 2007.
The Madmaniverse is a superhero universe like no other, the colorful vision of one independent cartoonist who developed a cult favorite. Below, you’ll find a guide to reading everything.
Madman Comics Reading Order: Library Edition
Today, there is the easiest way to read the Madman comics in order: Dark Horse Comics published a beautiful collection, the Madman Library Edition, which collects everything Mike Allred did with his iconic creation.
- Madman Library Edition Volume 1
Collects “For the Record” excerpt from Creatures of the Id #1, Madman #1-3, Madman Adventures #1-3, Madman Comics #1-10, THEY! - Madman Library Edition Volume 2
Collects Madman Comics #11-20, Superman/Madman Hullabaloo, Nexus Meets Madman, Madman Jam, Madman King-Size Super Groovy Special!, Who Killed Madman?, Madman All-New, Giant-Size Super Ginchy Special!, Madman Monster!, and “Madman Detour to Armenia” - Madman Library Edition Volume 3
Collects The Atomics #1-15, Red Rocket 7 #1-7 - Madman Library Edition Volume 4
Collects Madman Atomic Comics #1-#17, It Girl, Spaceman, Mr. Gum - Madman Library Edition Volume 5
Collects It Girl and the Atomics #1-12, Dead Air, The Everyman, Crash Metro and the Star Squad, Dark Horse Extra: Madman - Madman Library Edition Volume 6
Collects Grafik Muzik #1-4, Graphique Musique #1-3, Madman in Your Face 3D Special, Mr.Gum: Who Will Sell Out? You Sell Out?, X-Ray Robot #1-4
Madman Comics in Order: A Detailed Look
Because you may stumble on old collected editions, here is a Madman reading order of the multiple comic book series set in the Madmaniverse.
- Madman #1-3 (Original Miniseries)
- Madman Adventures #1-3
- Madman Comics #1-20
- The Superman/Madman Hullabaloo #1-3
- Nexus Meets Madman (Madman Boogaloo!)
- Madman/The Jam #1-2 (Madman Boogaloo!)
- Madman King Size Super Groovy Special
- Madman All-New Giant-Size Super Ginchy Special
- Madman 20th Anniversary Monster! (contains some new stories)
- The Atomics #1-15
- The Atomics: Spaced Out and Grounded in Snap City (collects the It Girl, Spaceman, Mr. Gum, and Crash Metro and the Star Squad One-Shots)
- Madman Atomic Comics #1-17
- It Girl and the Atomics #1-12