More than 50 years since they last graced the paneled page, the legendary cinematic comedy duo of Abbott and Costello are officially returning to the world of comic books along with some frightfully fun friends in the new Monstrous series Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters!
With the exciting new series now on Kickstarter, Daily Dead caught up with writer and Monstrous founder James Aquilone to discuss bringing Abbott and Costello back to comic books, including preserving the legacy of the iconic comedy duo, the impressive perks supporters of the Kickstarter campaign can look forward to, and teaming up with a roster of talented artists for the new series, including Dave Acosta, Juan Samu, and George Quadros, as well as the series' amazing cover art by J.K. Woodward, Zac Atkinson, Russ Braun, Colton Worley, Robert Hack, and E.V. Cantada!
Below, you can read our full Q&A with James Aquilone, and to learn more about Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters, visit the official Kickstarter campaign:
Can you share your first experience with Abbott and Costello films and why their work has stuck with you for so long?
James Aquilone: I grew up watching Abbott and Costello movies on television, usually with my grandmother on Sundays. As someone who loved reading and who would grow up to be a writer, it was their wordplay that drew me to them. A routine like "Who’s on First" is masterful. Not only the wordplay but the performance and precision of it.
How long have you been working with the Abbott and Costello estates to make this happen? Can you talk about the initial conversations and your pitch to them?
James Aquilone: We’ve been working on this project since earlier this year. I've wanted to bring Abbott and Costello back to comics for a long time, though. At Monstrous, we've been building a publishing line around classic horror properties, including Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Creepshow, and Weird Tales.
The pitch was simple: What if Abbott and Costello never stopped meeting monsters? What if we could introduce them to other iconic creatures from horror, science fiction, and literature? We wanted to create something that felt like a continuation of their classic movies rather than a modern reinvention. That was really the heart of the pitch.
You're bringing these beloved actors and their screen personas to new comic book stories for the first time in 50 years. As an editor, what's the process or mindset for ensuring the stories look and sound like Abbott and Costello?
James Aquilone: The most important thing is getting their voices right. You can't just put two characters who look like Abbott and Costello into a comic book. They have to sound like them. Their personalities, their timing, their relationship—all of that has to be there.
There's a rhythm to their dialogue, and that's something we're paying close attention to. Visually, we're trying to capture the look and feel of their classic films and vintage comics. We want readers to feel like they're discovering a lost Abbott and Costello adventure. And the monsters have to be taken seriously. That's what made Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein so brilliant. Dracula wasn't in on the joke.
Can you talk about some of the collaborators you've brought in to tell these stories? What monsters will Abbott and Costello meet in the new comic book series?
James Aquilone: We've assembled some terrific artists, including Dave Acosta, who's illustrating the first issue, a crossover with Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Juan Samu is illustrating the second issue, “Abbott and Costello Meet the Morlocks,” and the third issue, “Abbott and Costello Meet Cthulhu,” is being drawn by George Quadros. We also have fantastic cover artists, including J.K. Woodward, Zac Atkinson, Russ Braun, Colton Worley, Robert Hack, and E.V. Cantada.
With a Kickstarter launching in support of this series, what offering would our readers be especially excited about?
James Aquilone: The first three comics in the series will be available with several variant covers. We’ll also have a bunch of merchandise, like T-shirts, a collector coin, trading cards, and a few surprises.
If you had to suggest three Abbott and Costello films to our readers, what would they be?
James Aquilone: The obvious first choice is Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). It's one of the greatest horror comedies ever made and the blueprint for what we're doing with the comics. You have Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney Jr. as The Wolf Man and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's Monster. It's a perfect combination of comedy and horror.
My second choice would be Hold That Ghost (1941). It's another great example of how well their comedy works in a spooky setting, and it features some of Lou Costello's best physical comedy.
And third, Buck Privates (1941). It's the movie that made Abbott and Costello major stars, and it's particularly relevant because our comic begins with Bud and Lou in the Army during World War II.
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From the Press Release: Monstrous launches a new Kickstarter series pitting the legendary comedy duo against the Night Stalker, the Morlocks and Cthulhu
Abbott and Costello are back in comics for the first time in more than half a century — and this time, they’re bringing the monsters with them.
Monstrous is launching a Kickstarter campaign for Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters, an all-new comic book series that reunites legendary comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello with the kind of monsters, madmen and supernatural mayhem that helped make some of their most beloved films classics.
The campaign will feature three full-length comics written by Bram Stoker Award winner James Aquilone, an array of variant covers from acclaimed comic book artists, and exclusive Abbott and Costello merchandise.
The new series, Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters, marks the first new comics starring the duo in more than 50 years.
The first issue, Abbott and Costello Meet the Night Stalker, throws Bud and Lou into the dark, supernatural world of Kolchak: The Night Stalker. The issue has interior art by Dave Acosta and covers by J.K. Woodward, Lukas Ketner, and Zac Atkinson.
In the second issue, Abbott and Costello Meet the Morlocks, the duo encounters the subterranean creatures made famous by H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine. The issue features covers by Russ Braun and Colton Worley.
The third comic, Abbott and Costello Meet Cthulhu, sends the comedy legends into cosmic-horror territory for an encounter with one of the most famous monsters in weird fiction. The issue has interior art by Juan Samu and covers by Robert Hack and E.V. Cantada.
Each comic will also include the Abbott and Costello comic strips.
The series continues a tradition stretching back to Abbott and Costello’s classic monster comedies, most famously 1948’s Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, which brought the comedians face-to-face with Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Wolf Man. Inspired by those classic films, Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters pairs the duo with creatures and characters they never had the opportunity to encounter on screen.
In addition to the three comics, the Kickstarter campaign will offer exclusive merchandise, such as T-shirts, trading cards, original artwork, and more.
“Abbott and Costello were my introduction to horror as well as comedy,” says Aquilone. “They’ve been a huge influence on my work and it’s unreal to be bringing my heroes back to comics in a genre that is near and dear to me — horror-comedy, which might not exist without Abbott and Costello.”
"Bud loved reaching audiences in every format possible—from radio and film to early television. We are so excited to see Monstrous Media carry that torch forward with this new comic book project. It’s the perfect way to keep their brilliant comedic timing alive for today's readers."
– The Bud Abbott Estate
"Great comedy is timeless. Great monsters are legendary. Abbott and Costello made generations laugh as they met Frankenstein, the Mummy, and some of the most iconic monsters in movie history. Their legacy now comes roaring back to life in this brand-new comic book series, and as a family, we’re thrilled that they'll be introduced to yet a new generation of comic book fans."
– The Lou Costello Estate
“Monsters and Abbott & Costello go together like Hot Wings that make your eyes bug out along with the Joyful Laughter of Abbott and Costello’s reactions to seeing a Monster it's the perfect mixture of their comedic genius with suspense. I’m thrilled and excited that a whole new generation of comic books enthusiasts will experience the chills and thrills of Abbott & Costello’s Monster Movies of the 1940s and 50s in Monstrous Media’s updated version of "Abbott & Costello meet the Monsters" comic book series.” – Agent Bruce Bronn, Unforgettable Licensing
Abbott and Costello Meet the Monsters will be available through Kickstarter.
ABOUT MONSTROUS
Monstrous is an independent publisher focused on dark fiction and action-packed stories. Owned and operated by Bram Stoker Award-winning editor and writer James Aquilone, Monstrous is dedicated to creating high-quality print and digital comics, graphic novels, and prose books that aim to entertain with its stories and delight with its aesthetics. Monstrous is the new home of Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Its other titles include Monstrous magazine, Dead Detectives Society, Shakespeare Unleashed, and The Omega Eleven.
Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters #1 Cover A by J.K. Woodward
Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters #1 Cover B by Zac Atkinson
Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters #1 Cover C by Zac Atkinson
Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters #3 Cover A by Robert Hack
Abbott & Costello Comic Strip by James Aquilone & Zac Atkinson
Abbott & Costello Comic Strip by James Aquilone & Zac Atkinson
Abbott & Costello Comic Strip by James Aquilone & Zac Atkinson
After more than a decade as a consultant in the entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who passionately explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He is also consulted with as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, film festivals, and conventions.
After more than a decade as a consultant in the entertainment industry, Jonathan James launched Daily Dead in 2010 to share his passion for horror. He takes immense pride in Daily Dead's talented team of writers, who passionately explore and celebrate horror as a respected art form capable of telling complex, character-driven stories with deep emotional and cultural impact.
Over the course of his career, Jonathan has written more than 10,000 articles and hosted panels at major conventions, including New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con. He is also consulted with as an expert on horror and pop culture, offering insights on horror history and the latest trends through media outlets, film festivals, and conventions.
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