The iconic pulp magazine Weird Tales has been having something of a renaissance of sorts. The horror and fantasy publication first got its start in 1923, giving readers their taste of such wild and wonderful fare they had never before encountered. With names such as H.P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Ray Bradbury, and C.L. Moore contributing some of their earliest works to the magazine, Weird Tales is one of the cornerstones of what we think of as the origins of modern horror.
Back in 2019, editor Jonathan Maberry and President John Harlacher brought Weird Tales Magazine back to life, giving a whole new generation a portal into the monstrous and the macabre. Now, Monstrous Books is partnering with Weird Tales Magazine for the first ever Weird Tales graphic novel! Coming soon to Kickstarter, the prestige tome will feature stories both adapted from past Weird Tales contributions and brand-new fare certain to fright and captivate readers.
That’s why we’re honored to be able to offer an exclusive first look at the Weird Tales Challenge Coin designed by Zac Atkinson that will be available as part of the campaign! Check it out below, as well as the official press release for the Kickstarter. (And be sure to sign up for the pre-launch page!)
And from the official press release for the project:
First published in 1923, the iconic pulp magazine Weird Tales defined the horror and fantasy genres and helped give rise to icons such as H.P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Ray Bradbury, and C.L. Moore. A century later, Monstrous is teaming up with Weird Tales Magazine to publish the first-ever official Weird Tales graphic novel. — an ambitious adaptation and expansion of the legendary magazine — featuring covers by legendary artists Kelley Jones (Dracula, Sandman) and Eric Powell (The Goon, Dr. Werthless). Fans can follow the pre-launch page now to get an email when the campaign launches, to make sure that they don’t miss early bird specials and limited edition tiers.
The Weird Tales graphic novel features adaptations of seminal stories and original stories, including:
“Doctor Satan vs. Jules de Grandin” by James Aquilone, winner of the Bram Stoker Award-winning Kolchak: The Night Stalker: 50th Anniversary and the anthology Shakespeare Unleashed, with art by Dave Swartz (Confederate Monster)
Michael Avallone’s “The Man Who Walked on Air” — adapted by Chilling Adventures of Sabrina artist Robert Hack and David Avallone, the acclaimed writer and son of Michael Avallone.
An original Lovecraft Mythos Story by Peabody Award-winning screenwriter and producer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia) with art by Lukas Ketner (Count Crowley)
C.L. Moore’s “Shambleau” — adapted by artist George Quadros (Sumerian) and Blake Northcott (Catwoman)
“For the first time, the weird, the dark, and the wondrous stories that launched the careers of genre legends leap from the pages of the magazine into a stunning graphic novel experience,” said Aquilone. “Editor Jonathan Maberry and President John Harlacher have been doing exciting things since they resurrected Weird Tales in 2019. When it came time to assemble the contributors for the historic first graphic novel, we went big and bold. These stories are worthy of the great, pulp legacy of Weird Tales.”
The graphic novel will be 8.5 by 11-inch prestige hardcover and the campaign will include multiple limited edition tiers with multiple collectible covers and exclusive rewards, including a Weird Tales challenge coin, T-shirts, and more.
Monstrous has raised more than $500,000 on Kickstarter over the last four years with such projects as Kolchak Meets the Classic Monsters, The Omega Eleven, and Classic Monsters Unleashed. Monstrous and its founder, James Aquilone, have won multiple accolades, including the Bram Stoker Award, Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award, and the Scribe Award from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.
Fans can sign up on the Kickstarter prelaunch page to receive an email when the campaign launches.For updates, follow Monstrous on X, Facebook and MonstrousVerse.com.