KOLCHAK MEETS THE CLASSIC MONSTERS: Q&A with Rodney Barnes, Steve Niles, and James Aquilone

Thanks to Monstrous Books' James Aquilone, Kolchak fans have a lot to be excited about, from reprints of the original books to new anthologies and, now, a 3-issue comic book series and collection from David Dastmalchian, Steve Niles, and Rodney Barnes! Just recently launched on Kickstarter, the campaign for the new comic book mini-series has already been successfully funded, and sees Kolchak face Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Werewolf. We caught up with Rodney Barnes, Steve Niles, and James Aquilone, who talked about their love of Kolchak, the new comic book project, their favorite monster movies, and more!

Rodney Barnes

How did you first get introduced to Carl Kolchak, and why is this character so important to you?

Rodney Barnes: I saw the first two movies of the week when I was a kid. Was a big fan of Richard Matheson, who wrote them and had written some of my favorite episodes of the Twilight Zone. So I was open to giving it a try. Changed my life. The characters. The stories. Tone was perfect in every way.

I'm very excited for your story, where Kolchack will be going up against Dracula. Can you give our readers a tease of what they can expect from this story?

Rodney Barnes: Think of two iconic characters clashing in the heart of 70s New York. I call it Scorsese’s New York. Readers can expect all of the nuance and specificity of the characters they love, and a modern-day twist as a garnish.

Who are you teaming up with for the issue's artwork, and what can you tell us about your creative process with them?

Rodney Barnes: Alex Lins who partnered with me on Monarch from Image Comics. I love his Marvel work and enjoy working with him as a person. Excited to see what we come up with.

With Halloween coming up, can you give our readers your favorite vampire movies they should check out this month?

Rodney Barnes: Oh, man. Far too many to name, but I’ll try. Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Near Dark, Blacula, The Lost Boys, Blade, Fright Night, Count Yorga, Let the Right One In, Salem’s Lot the 1979 miniseries…. So many more.

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Steve Niles

How did you first get introduced to Carl Kolchak, and why is this character so important to you?

Steve Niles: I was pretty young when the original Night Stalker and Night Strangler TV movies aired but my parents let me watch them and I loved them. I was scared to death but I loved them. Kolchak was the first monster hunter character I discovered and that led directly to many things I’ve written over the years. The fact that Richard Matheson wrote the first two movies makes it that much better. He is one of my heroes. He wrote my favorite novel I am Legend. I think it’s also worth pointing out that the vampire in the Night Stalker was very scary. No romance at all. That had a lasting effect on me.

I'm very excited for your story, where Kolchack will be going up against Frankenstein's monster. Can you give our readers a tease of what they can expect from this story?

Steve Niles: It’s a different kind of story for me. The monster is based on the novel’s monster so he is well-spoken and intelligent but he is on a deadly mission and Kolchak is in the way. This isn’t one Kolchak can kill his way out of but he might have to if he isn’t careful.

Who are you teaming up with for the issue's artwork, and what can you tell us about your creative process with them?

Steve Niles: George Quadros is doing the art and he is amazing. James selected him, and I couldn’t be happier. His art has real energy I love. Russ Braun did the cover and it’s perfect. He really captured the monster which is a mix of many monster looks.

With Halloween coming up, can you give our readers your favorite Frankenstein movies they should check out this month?

Steve Niles: Okay, this is a weird one but I actually love this version. It’s from 2004 and aired on…The Hallmark Channel. Yes, you heard me right. It stars Luke Goss as the monster and it’s a very accurate adaptation. Seriously, check it out if you have the chance. You can’t go wrong with the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. They are both wonderful.

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James Aquilone

Your latest Kolchak project is the most exciting one yet! How did this project come about?

James Aquilone: Carl has faced his share of monsters throughout his career, but he’s never come across the most legendary ones. I thought it was time that Carl met Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman. Plus, the first horror movie I ever saw was Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, so this is my homage to those films.

What has the experience been like working with so many talented creators on this project?

James Aquilone: Sometimes I look at my email inbox and see the names of all the amazing comic book creators messaging me — from Eisner winners to New York Times bestsellers to childhood heroes — and I can’t believe it. It’s been an amazing few years getting to work with people like Steve Niles, Rodney Barnes, Matt Wagner, Russ Braun, and David Dastmalchian. My eight-year-old self would be very proud — and shocked.

You're planning a deluxe hardcover edition and Kickstarter campaign. What can readers expect from this deluxe edition, and what rewards do you have in store for readers?

James Aquilone: Besides the stories from the three individual comics, the Deluxe Edition will include a bonus story, which I can’t reveal yet. It’s a really fun one and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

Other rewards include a 3D Kolchak challenge coin, a Kolchak trading card set, as well as paperback editions of the Monstrous Books’ reprint of The Night Stalker novel by Jeff Rice and the Kolchak Eras anthology, a collection of 10 short stories.

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"Throughout the course of the fan-favorite 1970s TV show, legendary reporter Carl Kolchak went toe-to-toe with all manner of otherworldly fiends. Now, he will take on his most fearsome foes yet — Dracula, Frankenstein and the Werewolf! Monstrous Books presents a three-issue series of stand-alone comics as well as a deluxe hardcover collection from an all-star lineup of creators coming to Kickstarter this October.

Actor and Writer David Dastmalchian (Count Crowley) will team-up with Count Crowley artist Lukas Ketner, and colorist Zac Atkinson, for a Kolchak - Count Crowley 22-page comic book crossover in “Kolchak Meets the Werewolf and Count Crowley,” featuring a cover by Ketner and a variant from superstar artist Matt Wagner (Grendel). Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia) will be writing a 22-page comic book thriller titled “Kolchak Meets Dracula,” with art by Eisner-award nominated artist Alex Lins (Plastic Man No More) with a cover by Colton Worley (Jennifer Blood). And Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) will be collaborating with artist George Quadros (Avatar: The High Ground), and colorist Zac Atkinson on a 22-page comic book called “Kolchak Meets Frankenstein” with a cover from Russ Braun (The Boys). Monstrous Book will publish a deluxe, hardcover edition of KOLCHAK MEETS THE CLASSIC MONSTERS, featuring all three stories and an all-new cover by Dave Acosta (Elvira, Terrorwar).

The Kickstarter campaign for Kolchak: The Night Stalker Meets the Classic Monsters features comics, graphic novels, and for the first-ever officially licensed Kolchak trading cards and a limited-edition challenge coin.

Based on the novel by Jeff Rice, with a screenplay from horror legend and novelist Richard Matheson (I Am Legend), 1972’s KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER transfixed audiences. The movie became the highest-rated TV movie in U.S. history and spawned the cult TV series starring Darren McGavin. The intrepid reporter’s supernatural adventures have entertained and influenced generations of horror creators. Monstrous Books’ last Kolchak campaign, a deluxe reprint of the original Kolchak novel by Jeff Rice, earlier this year was a smash, raising more than $100,000 from 2100 backers. And the 50th anniversary Kolchak graphic novel, which was Kickstarted in 2022, won a Bram Stoker Award and Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award.

The KOLCHAK MEETS THE CLASSIC MONSTERS Kickstarter is now live. For updates, follow Monstrous Books on Facebook, Instagram and X."

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We have a look at the covers below and you can learn more and check out preview pages at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/manbomb/kolchak-comics