All monsters are made in some way. Vampires, zombies, and werewolves might turn the unsuspecting human with their bite, but some are born as a result of a simple (made-up) formula. If the PowerPuff Girls were made of sugar, spice, and everything nice, some monsters might be made of rotten eggs, copious amounts of salt, and the worst humanity has to offer. Others might be stitched together from the limbs of your enemies. It’s your choice! That’s the beauty of Man-Made Monster Horror. Just as there is no limit to your imagination, there is no limit to the depths you can sink to create the perfect monster for your story.
What is Man-Made Monster Horror?
Man-Made Monster Horror is perhaps more of a trope within the greater monster horror subgenre than a codified (sub)subgenre, but it carries enough nuance that we want to give it space to shine. As the name implies, Man-Made Monster Horror is the literary equivalent of a creature feature in which the featured creature is purely man-made. Like other notable horror subgenres, Monster horror finds its roots in the Gothic movement of the 18th century. Perhaps the most famous example of a Man-Made Monster from this period is Frankenstein’s monster from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein. This novel, about a man who goes too far in his attempt to play god, is a perfect illustration of how man-made monsters are the bastardized reflections of human folly.
Despite its beginnings, this subgenre is not locked in the past. As new technology has come about, new monsters have been created. Think about Godzilla, the radioactive kaiju that received its power from its surrounding nuclear milieu. Although Godzilla was not intentionally created by man, it is absolutely the monstrous result of our negligence surrounding nuclear technology. This theme of neglect and destruction runs strongly through this subgenre even into the modern day. Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation is a great example of modern Man-Made Monsters, even if the creatures in this novel series aren’t directly named as much. A novel that clearly lambasts the drivers of climate change, the creatures are a half-human half-monster amalgamation whose origins remain debatable. Still, one popular reading of the novel is that the creatures were indeed created, in part, by human activity.
When you set out to create your monsters, just remember that they don’t have to be created in a laboratory by a mad scientist. Monsters can come from anywhere as a result of little to no direct effort. Some of the best monsters, in my opinion, were complete accidents. Keep that in mind as we step into the role of Creator.
How Are Monsters Made?
Of course, the most prominent element of Man-Made Monster Horror is that a monster is created and the (usually) human characters now have to find a way to tame or destroy it. However, there isn’t one single way to bring this monster to life. Common creation methods might include:
- Test-Tube Terror: Some monsters are created intentionally and for a specific purpose. Frankenstein is, of course, a prime example of this, but these monsters don’t have to be strapped down to a table, nor do they have to appear entirely fearsome. When I think about monsters that were intentionally created, my mind always goes to Nina from Fullmetal Alchemist. Was she created to be a destructive force? No. Was her transformation nonetheless devastating? Yes.
- Accidents Happen: Conversely, not all monsters are created on purpose. Like Godzilla, some are just the unfortunate byproduct of other (just as disastrous) human activities. This is where Man-Made Monster Horror thrives, in my opinion. Want to make a scathing commentary on something you’re against? Have it create a monster.
Why I Like Man-Made Monster Horror
One thing I love about writing fiction, especially speculative fiction, is that I am unbound. There is nothing stopping me from making up the craziest, most unhinged stories possible—which I have done, and (embarrassingly) received Pushcart and Best of the Net nominations for. This doesn’t stop at the doorstep of Man-Made Monsters. This subgenre gives me the freedom to break free from any of the existing monster molds. If I want to write about a creature that drinks blood, I don’t have to write about vampires. Instead, I can create a robotic monster that uses blood like fuel. This subgenre is as expansive as your imagination, so let your thoughts run wild and make something scary!
Why YOU Should Explore Man-Made Monster Horror
When you love something, you might deify it. When you hate something, you might turn it into a monster. Although often overlooked, I truly believe that Man-Made Monster Horror is a fantastic vessel for social commentary—which I know I say a lot. I just like commenting on people, places, and things! If you’re looking for more reasons to explore Man-Made Monster Horror, here are a few themes that you might play with.
- Enlightenment: How far will your characters go in the pursuit of knowledge? At what point do they reach the point of no return with forbidden knowledge? If you’ve ever asked yourself whether we actually need to understand all the secrets of the universe, this subgenre might be good for you. Explore what happens when we uncover recipes for disasters that should have stayed hidden in the annals of time.
- Responsibility: Despite our intentions, all of our actions have unintended consequences. Sometimes they work out in our favor, but sometimes they come back to bite us, fatally so. Use this subgenre to explore how we take responsibility for the things that go awry before they change us forever.
- Revenge: So often, these stories are told through the perspective of the Creator, but when you swap the lens to the Creation, you open up a whole new world of possibilities. These beings are not always mindless—they are often intelligent. Take over their perspective to see how they react to being created and then to being shunned by those who made them.