Much to the delight of Carl Kolchak fans everywhere, it appears that James Aquilone can’t stop spearheading new and classic content featuring the star of the cult TV series The Night Stalker.
Monstrous Books Founder and Editor is back with a new comic book series starring not only Kolchak, but the monster trinity of Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Werewolf.
We spoke to Aquilone all about the new Kolchak project (available to back on Kickstarter until November 8) in this exclusive interview.
You have produced a number of Kolchak projects in recent years, but how did Kolchak Meets The Classic Monsters come together?
James Aquilone: This is something I’ve wanted to do since I worked on the Kolchak 50th anniversary graphic novel. It just made sense for Kolchak to meet the classic monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein.
How did you go about soliciting writers and artists for the project? Did you reach out to those that you knew were Kolchak fans?
Aquilone: I’ve worked with Rodney Barnes, Steve Niles and David Dastmalchian on Kolchak stuff before.
What is your own history with the original series/character of Carl Kolchak?
Aquilone: I’ve been a fan since the ’80s when I discovered the series/TV movies in late-night reruns, and in recent years I returned to the show and got the opportunity to put together the Kolchak 50th anniversary graphic novel. Now here we are.
You are offering backers the opportunity to get the stories in a traditional comic book format and in a deluxe hardcover edition. Why was it important to offer both options for this project?
Aquilone: Normally, with comics you have to wait at least a month for the next issue to come out and then when the series is done you have to wait some more for the collection. I said why not give it to the readers all at once.
The campaign also includes the first ever Kolchak trading cards. What can you tell us about the cards?
Aquilone: I did trading cards for my last comic book project, The Omega Eleven, and they came out really well, so I had to do Kolchak cards. When I was a kid, my whole world was just comics and baseball cards. So I’m bringing those two worlds together.
Will the Carl Kolchak renaissance continue with more projects? .
Aquilone: We’re just getting started.
The Kolchak Meets The Classic Monsters project is available to back on Kickstarter until November 8.
