The following is an interview with Bram Stoker Award-winning editor and writer James Aquilone on his return to Kickstarter in collaboration with Monstrous Books to crowdfund the limited edition print release of Jeff Rice’s original novel, Kolchak: The Night Stalker (on which the TV movie and subsequent series were based). In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Aquilone about his experience in revisiting Kolchak for this print release, the talented creators involved with the project, the incredible back rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: It has been a great pleasure to follow the trajectory of your work with Monstrous Books over the past few years! Through Monstrous, you will soon be returning to Kickstarter to crowdfund the limited edition print release of Jeff Rice’s original novel, Kolchak: The Night Stalker. As a longtime fan of Kolchak, what can you share with us about your experience in being able to revisit this cult classic story?
James Aquilone: Rereading The Night Stalker was a fun experience. It was just as good as I remembered and I love the insight into being a reporter in the 1970s. There’s something about Kolchak where you can reread the books and rewatch the TV movies and series and it never gets old.
BD: The limited edition release will not only be produced as a deluxe edition hardcover, but it will feature a Murderers’ Row of creative talent. What can you tell us about what readers will have in store with this release?
JA: Late Night with the Devil star and Count Crowley creator David Dastmalchian wrote the foreword, Killadelphia creator Rodney Barnes wrote the afterword, Mark Dawidziak wrote a profile on Kolchak creator Jeff Rice, and Russ Braun did the cover and interior art. They’re all big Kolchak fans, so they bring a lot of love of reverence to the project.
BD: Are there any specific backers rewards that you would like to highlight for readers?
JA: Everyone who backs the print book will get a Kolchak fan club membership card, which has a press badge on the back. I want to make the project fun and keep with the retro flavor, and I’ve always loved old-school fan clubs where you get all this cool merch. We’ll also be giving away an exclusive Kolchak button to anyone who backs in the first 48 hours. And we’ll have prints, signed comics, and some surprises.
BD: You have had great success with Kickstarter in the past several years, including your prior work with Kolchak: The Night Stalker 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel. What has been your overall experience with crowdfunding thus far, and why do you feel that it has become such an invaluable resource for creators?
JA: Crowdfunding is definitely an invaluable resource, especially since traditional publishing and book distribution are so unpredictable. Crowdfunding allows creators to be in control and guide their own careers. There are no gatekeepers. You only have to put out good books.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
JA: I’m actually managing another crowdfunding project, Jonathan Maberry’s first Joe Ledger graphic novel, which is on BackerKit now. I’m also editing the book for Crystal Lake Comics. The book has art by Dave Acosta, colors by Zac Atkinson, and letters by Tom Napolitano.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about and support the Kickstarter campaign for Kolchak: The Night Stalker?
JA: Head here or MonstrousBooks.com.
