Kolchak: The Night Stalker is one the most beloved examples of horror and paranormal investigation in all of pop culture. We were introduced to Kolchak first as a TV movie and later as a cult television series, with the script of the original film was based on an unpublished novel by Jeff Rice, a book that eventually was released after the movie’s success. With the love that so many people have for the property, it’s surprising that Kolchak’s world hasn’t gotten the action figure treatment. Wandering Planet Toys is looking to change that with its new Kickstarter, now live, to bring Kolchak action figures to your hands! Headed up by Wandering Planet Toys co-founders Chris “Doc” Wyatt and Gavin Hignight, the Kolchak Kickstarter will focus on producing figures based on Cark Kolchak and his nemesis, the vampire Janos Skorzeny.
I spoke with Doc Wyatt and Gavin Hignight recently about their history with Kolchak, why they focused on this franchise for action figures, the Kickstarter itself, and what they hope the campaign will do to bring attention to the legacy of The Night Stalker. Hignight, Wyatt, and Wandering Planet have already been wildly successful in bring icons like Nancy Drew, The Prisoner, and Laurel & Hardy to the action figure form, and their attention to Kolchak will undoubtedly have the same care and consideration as those other projects.
FreakSugar: Before we get into the figures and the Kickstarter, what is your personal history with Kochak?
Doc Wyatt: I didn’t find Kolchak until the early 2000s when my friend, the horror artist Bill Rude, gifted me a boxed set. I couldn’t believe I’d been sleeping on this great show!
Gavin Hignight: Hey FreakSugar Team! Thanks for having us back! Rightfully so, I became a fan after seeing the TV episodes in syndication on late night TV… Perfect late night viewing. More recently I’ve been enjoying the comics and was excited to get to go back to the book it all originated from.
FS: Kolchak is an iconic character, especially among fans of horror. What was the impetus for you to produce these figures? Why Kolchak?
DW: There was never NOT a time when we wanted to do Kolchak figures. One of the first times Gavin and I ever talked about starting a little indie toy company, I remember him saying “and maybe we could even do Kolchak.” Carl was always on the list!
GH: Yeah, he’s just the kind of hero I like. A normal dude, struggling to pay his bills, get his next scoop and fight monsters of the supernatural. Such an iconic character, he’s just been a toy we’ve wanted ourselves for some time.
FS: When creating figures based on actual actors, what are some things you have to take into consideration?
GH: It depends on the property and the style of figure you are making. This line is actually based on the original Kolchak: The Night Stalker novel by Jeff Rice, so the approach was more based on how Kolchak is represented in publishing. But for our other lines, for example, Laurel and Hardy, we really strived for screen accurate figures that felt like Stan and Ollie in the films. Yes, there are all types of amazing collectibles of Laurel and Hardy, but they had not been in the 1/12 scale collectible figure range, so we really worked hard to get them right in that way. But say… with The Prisoner, we were purposely making figures that we wanted to feel like they were lost in time, something that would have been released years ago, with a retro vibe… so the approach was more, how would these performers translate to the sculpting of the late 70s early 80s, like Kenner making Star Wars toys (when many of us in the USA discovered The Prisoner)… so yeah, it really depends on how the line is supposed to come across, then we go from there.
FS: On to the Kickstarter itself, what can backers expect from the campaign?
DW: In addition to Carl Kolchak himself, backers can expect Janos Skorzeny, the original Night Stalker from the title! You gotta give Carl someone to investigate!
GH: We strived on this one for a very no nonsense, affordable, obtainable goal. The best Carl Kolchak you can get at 1/12 scale, for the best price possible… and yes, got to have The Night Stalker for Kolchak to investigate and eventually battle! We’ve also come up with a variant of Kolchak that is blood splattered and some really cool cardback packaging that is 70s black light poster style art.
FS: What has been your favorite part of this process so far?
DW: Getting to talk to Jed from FreakSugar!
GH: I’ve really enjoyed dipping into the nostalgia factor on this one. Diving into the original book, getting myself lost in 1970s Las Vegas, focusing on accessories for the figure that are of the time… the creative is always my favorite part. (And talking to FreakSugar of course!)
FS: What do you hope for the campaign, aside from funding it? Would bringing attention to the Kolchak legacy be one?
DW: Our partner on this project is Monstrous, the publisher of recent Kolchak comics and other offerings. In addition to creating amazing figures, we’d love to shine a light on all the great stuff Monstrous is doing with Carl!
GH: I think when Wandering Planet Toys makes a line or a figure, ultimately it’s about celebrating something we love. Bringing a character into a medium or artform they have not been brought into before… in this case… the action figure. So yeah, honestly, we just love making this stuff, playing with it, bonding with fellow fans, and celebrating these legacies as best we know how… the action figure way.
The Kickstarter for the Kolchak: The Night Stalker figures is LIVE and has hit its initial funding goal in less than a day, with 23 days left in the campaign! Check out the Kickstarter here for a bounty for any lover of toys and/or all things Kolchak!
From the official press release about the Kickstarter:
Fan-favorite indie toy company Wandering Planet Toys is partnering with publisher Monstrous to create the FIRST EVER officially licensed action figures of Kolchak and his notorious nemesis the vampire Janos Skorzeny. Since his 1972 debut, reporter CARL KOLCHAK has become one of the most enduring characters in weird fiction, starring in TV movies THE NIGHT STALKER and THE NIGHT STRANGLER as well as a beloved cult hit TV series. Now, from the novel that started it all, the famed paranormal investigator is making his figure debut as a deluxe, collectible 6-inch figure. Fans can support the figures on Kickstarter now!
Presented as a 1/12 scale modern deluxe figure based on his character in the book, the CARL KOLCHAK Single Figure features 22 points of articulation, two heads (with hat and without), and interchangeable hands. With accessories like Kolchak’s typewriter, camera, tape recorder, and a crucifix – fans can recreate all of their favorite scenes from Jeff Rice’s classic book. Collectors searching for the intrepid reporter’s gruesome side can pick up the BLOOD-SPLATTERED KOLCHAK VERSUS THE NIGHT STALKER – Two-figure Pack, which features the BLOOD-SPATTERED VARIANT of Kolchak and the terrifying 1/12 scale vampire, JANOS SKORZENY, capturing the moment the two faced off in their final duel. Wandering Planet will also be releasing an exclusive KOLCHAK COLLECTABLE METAL LUNCHBOX, Kolchak’s first ever retro style tin lunchbox, featuring art from Monstrous’ Kolchak comic book series by Colton Worley.
“From the very beginning of Wandering Planet we’ve always had Kolchak on our ‘wish list’ of official licensed figures we’d love to make,” says Wandering Planet Co-Founder Chris “Doc” Wyatt. “We’ve wanted the irascible Carl investigating supernatural cases on our toy shelves for years! We’re so thankful for our partners at Monstrous, who are working with us to make our collector’s dream a reality… not just for us, but for all toy fans!”
In 1972, legendary novelist and screenwriter Richard Matheson’s (I Am Legend) adaptation of Jeff Rice’s novel in the record-breaking smash hit TV movie THE NIGHT STALKER starring Darren McGavin, and a phenomenon was born. In KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER, the courageous reporter’s first encounter with the supernatural, Carl faces off against the murderous vampire, Janos Skorzeny, known as THE NIGHT STALKER in the streets of Las Vegas. This stunning showdown and Kolchak’s subsequent TV adventures captured fans and creators’ imaginations for generations, inspiring new stories across multiple mediums. In recent years, Kolchak has leapt into action on the comics page thanks to Monstrous’ 2022 Kolchak: The Night Stalker – 50th Anniversary Graphic Novel from Peter David (Incredible Hulk), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger), Marco Finnegan (Calvera PI), Warwick Cadwell-Johnson (The Crown: A Tale of Hell), and more as well as the upcoming KOLCHAK MEETS THE CLASSIC MONSTERS series featuring work from Actor and Writer David Dastmalchian (Count Crowley), Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia), George Quadros (Avatar: The High Ground), and many others. This year’s Kolchak Eras – a new collection of short stories by a who’s who of fearless writers including James Aquilone (Omega Eleven), David Avallone (Red Sonja Noir), and Jim Beard (Star Wars) – is bringing Kolchak back to the bookshelf, now, Kolchak can take his rightful place on collector’s toy shelves, too!
“I absolutely love a hero who is down on his luck… that does the right thing, because it’s the right thing, who despite everything stacked against them, pushes forward, saves the day and defeats evil,” explains Wandering Planet Co-Founder Gavin Hignight. “Carl Kolchak is that type of hero. I’m thrilled to team up with Monstrous, to bring our favorite underdog hero from the page to your toy collections.”
Wandering Planet has previously crowdfunded collectible action figures for comedy legends Laurel & Hardy, the cult classic television show The Prisoner, and the first ever officially sanctioned Nancy Drew action figures. To support the campaign, visit Kickstarter, and be sure to follow Wandering Planet Toys on X, Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook for more updates.