Tag Archives: richard matheson

Exclusive: Monstrous Books’ Kolchak Fan Club Membership Card and Kolchak Press Badge revealed!

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In 1972 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 The TV movie’s iconic screenplay was written by horror legend and novelist Richard Matheson and was based on an unpublished novel by Jeff Rice, which was released the following year. Now Bram Stoker Award-winning editor and writer James Aquilone and Monstrous Books have acquired the print rights to Kolchak and will be releasing a limited edition of Jeff Rice’s original, cult novel. The new, deluxe hardcover edition will feature a new foreword by writer and actor David Dastmalchian, an all-new afterword by writer and producer Rodney Barnes, an all-new essay on Jeff Rice by Kolchak expert Mark Dawidziak, and a cover and spot illustrations by Russ Braun. The Monstrous Books deluxe hardcover edition of Kolchak: The Night Stalker will be funded via a Kickstarter campaign, with a limited print run of 1973 copies. 

In the Kolchak: The Night Stalker novel, the corpses of young women – many of whom are working night jobs – are discovered, drained of blood, with unusual puncture marks on their necks.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker boasts a cover and interior illustrations by Russ Braun. The limited-edition hardcover will feature painted edges and a sewn-in bookmark. Each person who supports the limited-edition hardcover tier will receive a Kolchak fan club membership card, which will also have a Kolchak Press Badge on the other side. To support the project, visit Kickstarter.

We have the exclusive reveal of the fan club membership card and the Kolchak Press Badge!

Underrated: Road Rage

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week:  Road Rage

road rageRoad Rage, published by IDW is an adaptation of Stephen King and Joe Hill‘s Throttle and Richard Matheson‘s Duel by writer Chris Ryall and artists Nelson Daniel (on Throttle) and Rafa Garres (on Duel).

Despite the collected edition of Road Rage containing two versions of essentially the same story; King and Hill’s story in this trade is itself an adaptation of Matheson’s original short story, making the two issue comic an adaptation of an adaptation – which is an interesting choice for a collection. But if you’re expecting to read the same story twice, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised. King and  Hill’s story focuses on a group of bikers who end up running afoul of the deadly truck, where as Matheson’s features a lone salesman desperately trying to avoid a different truck in his car. The two stories are linked by the deadly truck, but are ultimately different enough that you shouldn’t feel short changed should you happen to pick this book up.

When it comes to the quality or faithfulness of the adaptations to the original stories, well that’s not something I can comment on as I have never read the text-only stories. However, I did really enjoy both comic stories as they were presented; Ryall’s comic scripts, presumably, more than does justice to the source material as he’s able to effectively convey the tense horror and suspense of both Throttle and Duel (the latter feels more like a horror story for me than the more action tinged former), though a portion of the credit should also be given to the artists. Garras work on Duel veers between the mundane daily life of a salesman driving to the pants wetting terror and desperation to stay alive. The more afraid the protagonist becomes, the more distorted the art feels – it’s a brilliant and investing touch to the story that effectively builds upon the tensions of the script.

The collection is a great taste of horror tinged comic books, and one that despite the high profile genre names connected to the comics I had never heard of before I spotted it at the used section of my LCS. It’s the subject of today’s column because it was a fantastic read, remarkably tense and quite exhilarating. If you get the chance to read the collection or the four issues collected within, then do so. You’ll find an Underrated gem.

Join us next week when we look at something else that is, for whatever reason, Underrated.

Preview: Richard Matheson: Master of Terror Graphic Novel Collection

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Richard Matheson: Master of Terror Graphic Novel Collection

Ted Adams, Chris Ryall, Steve Niles, Ian Edginton (w) • Mark Torres, Rafa Garres, Elman Brown, Simon Fraser (a) • Sam Shearon (c)

Four of Richard Matheson’s classic tales of terror are collected in this graphic novel collection: I Am Legend (Steve Niles with Elman Brown), Hell House (Ian Edginton with Simon Frasier), Duel (Chris Ryall with Rara Garres), and The Shrinking Man (Ted Adams with Mark Torres). Matheson’s classics come to vivid life in these inspired comic book adaptations.

TPB • PC • $49.99 • 572 pages • ISBN: 978-1-63140-708-6

masterofterror-cover

Richard Matheson’s the Shrinking Man Comes to Life at IDW

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the shrinking man 1IDW Publishing has announced the comic-book adaption of the late Richard Matheson’s seminal science fiction novel, The Shrinking Man. Ted Adams, IDW’s CEO & Publisher, is adapting the material, alongside artist Mark Torres.

Matheson’s exploration of withering manhood and social norms is brought to vivid life in this 4-issue series. To further emphasize the series’ classic appeal, the debut issue will be a part of IDW’s month-long “EC Comics cover month” promotion. The Shrinking Man #1 will be one of a dozen IDW titles getting a variant cover that pays tribute to the classic EC Comics cover designs from the 1950s. The Shrinking Man #1’s homage to Al Feldstein’s brilliant Weird Science #12 from the June 1950 cover is also being drawn by series artist Mark Torres.

the shrinking man 2Originally published in 1956, The Shrinking Man has been adapted into a motion picture and won the 1958 Hugo award for best science fiction/fantasy dramatic presentation. This legendary tale chronicles the events of an average family man, Scott Carey, who, after being exposed to a mysterious cloud, comes to the frightening realization that he is shrinking slowly day-by-day. His everyday existence as a husband and father is thrown into chaos as he struggles with not just shrinking smaller and smaller but with the possibility that he may disappear all together. All ideas of normal fade as Carey becomes a national spectacle and his family converts into unreachable giants. He is pushed to the very limits of fear and existence with each passing day becoming a struggle just to survive.

The Shrinking Man, part of IDW’s Five Featured Firsts, which sees a new series launching each of the five Wednesdays in July, takes its place alongside other IDW/Matheson collaborations including I Am Legend, Hell House, numerous short stories including the Eisner-nominated “Blood Son,” and Duel. Grab your copy before the stacks wither away at your local comics shop!

King, Hill, and Matheson Experience Road Rage, Out This Week in Hardcover

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[Road Rage HC]IDW Publishing releases the hardcover comic book collection of Road Rage, available tomorrow in comic book stores throughout North America. Renowned author Stephen King and Eisner-winner Joe Hill collaborated for the first time in Throttle, a story that paid tribute to Richard Matheson’s classic tale of suspense Duel. Now, Road Rage presents the four-issue compilation of the comic-book tellings of both stories.

Adapting the story alongside Hill and King is Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer, and editor of Hill’s New York Times best-selling graphic novel series, Locke & Key. The respective artists on the two stories were Nelson Daniel and Rafa Garres. Available on Wednesday, Road Rage will feature all-new introductions by King and Hill, as well as an all-new wraparound cover by Zach Howard and Daniel, and additional sketches and character designs from Daniel.

The first part of the series, Throttle, tells the story of a motorcycle gang pursued by an unseen assailant in a big rig, but as might be expected knowing the talent involved, things aren’t exactly as they seem. Daniel, whose own collaboration with Hill and artist Howard, THE CAPE, was nominated for a 2011 Eisner Award, handles full art and colors for this portion. Afterwards, Duel presents the adaptation of the Matheson story that inspired Throttle, with artist Garra providing visuals for this thrilling conclusion.

ROAD RAGE ($24.99, 120 pages, full color) will be available August 8, 2012 in comic stores throughout North America.

IDW Partners with Renowned Author Stephen King and Eisner-winner Joe Hill

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Official Press Release

IDW Partners with Renowned Author Stephen King and Eisner-winner Joe Hill

New comic adaptation of the first collaboration by father and son coming in February

[ROAD RAGE: THROTTLE Image]San Diego, CA (October 13, 2011) – IDW Publishing is proud to announce ROAD RAGE, a new partnership with best-selling authors Stephen King and Joe Hill, to produce a comic-book adaptation of their co-written adventure tale, Throttle. This monthly two-part series begins in February, and will be followed by two issues adapting the story that inspired Throttle, Richard Matheson’s classic tale of suspense, Duel, beginning in April.

“Throttle is a story that really begs for a visual adaptation: it’s got bikes and badasses and lots of expensive rolling iron blowing up and getting smashed,” said Hill. “Who doesn’t get off on that? I can’t wait to see IDW get behind the wheel and take the thing out for a spin.”

Throttle, the first collaboration between father-and-son King and Hill, was not only inspired by Matheson’s Duel, it also only appeared in print in a limited-edition anthology honoring Matheson’s works, He is Legend. Throttle and Duel were subsequently released as an audiobook called Road Rage, which is the banner title the comics will also carry.

Throttle tells the story of a motorcycle gang pursued by an unseen assailant in a big rig, but as might be expected knowing the talent involved, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

“Working with the great Joe Hill (I can say that because he’s my kid) on such a kick-ass story was a terrific treat, and this version takes it to whole new level,” said King. “Rev up and climb on!”

Adapting the story alongside Hill and King is Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer and the editor of Hill’s New York Times best-selling graphic novel series, LOCKE & KEY. Handling art duties is Nelson Daniel, whose own collaboration with Hill and artist Zach Howard, THE CAPE, was nominated for a 2011 Eisner Award. Daniel will handle full art and colors, and provide a cover. Acclaimed artist Phil Noto will also provide covers for the two-part series. Ryall, who received a 2006 Eisner nomination for his and Ashley Wood’s adaptation of Matheson’s “Blood Son,” will also adapt Duel, with artist Rafa Garres for that two-part series. As a special bonus on the King/Hill story, artist Tony Harris will paint two incentive covers that show the authors themselves on a motorcycle road-trip.

“Like Joe and Steve, Richard Matheson’s Duel had a huge impact on me as a kid,” said Ryall. “And so did the works of Stephen King. Add to that mix the chance to continue working with Hill and Daniel, two of the very best creators of my generation, and you’ve got the makings of a project that’s very special to me. And as long as I don’t screw up my part, it’ll hopefully be as special for all their fans when it comes out. Otherwise, you know who to blame…”

ROAD RAGE: THROTTLE will be released in February and March, with ROAD RAGE: DUEL to follow in April and May.

Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.

IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.