The following is an interview with Bram Stoker Award-winning editor and writer James Aquilone on his return to Kickstarter in collaboration with Weird Tales Magazine and Monstrous Books to crowdfund the first-ever Weird Tales graphic novel. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Aquilone about the incredibly talented creators involved with the project, the exciting backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Monstrous recently returned to Kickstarter in collaboration with Weird Tales Magazine for the first-ever Weird Tales graphic novel. What can you tell us about the process for selecting the all-star contributors for this upcoming book?
James Aquilone: I started with the authors I wanted to adapt, like HP Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, CL Moore, and Ray Bradbury, and then decided who I thought matched the best with those authors, or who, as a fan, I would want to see adapt those writers. Rodney Barnes is taking on Lovecraft, Steve Niles takes on Robert E. Howard, Blake Northcott takes on CL Moore, and Jonathan Maberry takes on Ray Bradbury, and David Avallone adapts his father Michael Avallone.
BD: The graphic novel will not only include adaptations of influential stories by Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft, and more, but it will also include original stories inspired by classic pulp literature. How would you describe your thematic approach to crafting a complementary collection of comics, prose stories, and more?
JA: The theme is pulp goodness, just like classic Weird Tales…a wide selection of subgenres—weird fiction, horror, sword and sorcery, space opera, fantasy—and amazing art.
BD: Why do you feel that these stories continue to resonate so strongly with today’s readers and creators, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that they may invite?
JA: Great stories always resonate—and these are some of the greatest stories published in the 20th century.
BD: Are there any specific backer rewards that you would like to highlight for those who contribute to the Kickstarter campaign?
JA: The main reward is a Kickstarter-exclusive 8.5-by-11-inch hardcover. We’ll also have an exclusive Weird Tales / Lovecraft coin and T-shirt, as well as copies of the magazine, original art, and some surprises.
BD: Are there any projects from Monstrous — past or current — that you would like to highlight for our readers?
JA: After the Weird Tales Kickstarter, our next big release is Creepshow: 13 Tales of Terror, out May 19. It’s a 13-story anthology of prose short stories based on the Shudder TV series. Authors include Steve Niles, David Avallone, Nancy A. Collins, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Gwendolyn Kriste, and Jonathan Maberry. It has 13 illustrations featuring the Creep and a cover by Russ Braun.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Monstrous and support the Kickstarter campaign for the Weird Tales graphic novel?
JA: You can go here for the Kickstarter. Or visit monstrousverse.com.
