Celebrating ROBOT MONSTER with a 3-D comic book anthology
Yes, the 1950s movie where the alien invader is a gorilla in a diving helmet.
(And yes, I’m one of the creators involved in the hardcover collection.)
Now on Kickstarter is the upcoming 3-D graphic novel anthology that celebrates and/or expands on and/or makes fun of the 1950s alien invasion horror movie ROBOT MONSTER. Yes, the one that was on MST3K. (A movie for which Joe Dante said, “There’s never been a picture like it.”)
DETAILS ABOUT THIS KICKSTARTER DEAL
Following the recent ROBOT MONSTER 70th-anniversary 3D restoration, they’ve decided to continue the celebration with an all-new 3-D hardcover collection of ROBOT MONSTER stories featuring the continuing (mis)adventures of Ro-Man and Great Guidance, along with Johnny, Carla, Alice, Roy, Mother, and the Professor. Plus a few surprise characters, too!
The book is being spearheaded by veteran comics writer-editor Paul Castiglia (ARCHIE COMICS). “What happened to Ro-Man before the events of the movie—and what happened after,” he told First Comics News. “Did he go on to conquer other worlds? Did he retire? Did he find true love? And what of the family? The possibilities are endless, and we’ll be presenting some of those ‘what ifs’ here.”
They’re pulling out all the stops to make this a graphic novel worthy of its movie inspiration with an amazing team of creative talent.
PEOPLE INVOLVED—INCLUDING SOMEONE FROM THE ORIGINAL MOVIE
Cast member GREGORY MOFFETT, who played the little boy Johnny in the movie, is part of this project! The actor has contributed ideas to bookend this collection of way-far-out-there tales and is autographing special bookplate editions and certificates accompanying one-of-a-kind original 35mm film cels from actual prints of the movie!
The ROBOT MONSTER COMICS IN 3-D graphic novel will be packed with a variety of stories from exciting comics creators who totally let their imaginations run wild.
Bob Furmanek: Master film historian, book author, and 3-D film restorationist heads up this project as publisher and editor-in-chief, with every ounce of enthusiasm he brought to the award-winning 2023 ROBOT MONSTER Blu-Ray/DVD restoration! “The enthusiastic response to our Robot Monster restoration was unprecedented,” Furmanek told Previews’ SCOOP news page. “Watching audiences go wild at live screenings inspired me to reach out to my good friend Paul Castiglia to see what else we could do with these charismatic characters.”
Charles Barnard: A leader in 3-D graphics and cartoonist supreme, our 3D Design Director Charles Barnard ensures the very best in 3-D viewing goodness. And as mentioned above, Charles has been nominated for a coveted EISNER AWARD for his 3D comics work!
Paul Castiglia: Veteran comics editor and writer from ARCHIE, DC, DARK HORSE, and more lends his editing expertise and contributes to the storytelling, too. Apropos, since Paul wrote the sci-fi horror-comedy comic, ARCHIE’S WEIRD MYSTERIES, and celebrates all things horror-comedy in his blog-soon-to-be book, SCARED SILLY!
Harold Buchholz: There’ll be ROBOT MONSTER riffing galore in hilarious 3D fumetti fashion from this MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 writer-producer and co-developer (alongside series creator Joel Hodgson) of the acclaimed DARK HORSE graphic novel MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: THE COMIC! “Instead of riffing the movies from the outside,” Buchholz told Monster Complex, “you’re riffing from inside the comics, which is so fun.”
Owen Kline: Acclaimed indie film writer-director (FUNNY PAGES) combines his love for kitsch cinema and comics in a wild and freewheeling tale.
Chris Allan: One of the most popular artists ever to draw the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES lets loose with some crazy kaiju action!
Glenn Whitmore: Beloved journeyman artist from DC and ARCHIE brings his fan-friendly style to Ro-Man and friends.
Ron Williams: Dynamic comics illustrator who’s thrilled readers with his action-packed work for BIG BANG COMICS and G-MAN COMICS.
Tom Hall: Writer-Creator of the critical and audience success, the monster-smashing, skull-headed, helmeted hero, R-13, aka ROBOT-13!
Jesus Marquez: Sketch artist for MARVEL/UPPER DECK trading cards, creator of the indie comic, MAN OF THE HOUR, and luchador artist supreme!
Simone Arena: Thrilling graphic artist who has created mind-bending visuals for CRYPTOZOIC ENTERTAINMENT, a variety of comics, and TOPPS trading cards!
Nikki Powers: Fantastic comics creator and a leading industry letterer for SCOUT COMICS and FIASCO COMICS.
Marley Starr: Up-and-coming indie comics artist whose work will soon be published in SLIGHTLY ALTERED MAN!
Carl Scheckel: A comics-historian who has interviewed the greats, and was one of the few to interact with the legendarily reclusive Steve “SPIDER-MAN” Ditko during his final years. Carl’s fiction comics writing career begins right here!
Chris and Erica Well: This is me and my wife! Before I launched the Monster Complex website, I was a published suspense novelist. My wife, Erica, is a comics artist and illustrator. In fact, when we met she was working in the production offices at DC Comics.
PICTURE THIS…
The ROBOT MONSTER graphic novel won’t just be filled with dynamic comics art. It will also contain Fumetti—which uses photos or screen captures like comics panels.
All that and a DVD too!
How would you like a copy of the movie, too? If you’ve never seen it before, grab it bundled with the book for the complete ROBOT MONSTER experience! And if you have seen it before, but have never seen the 70th Anniversary restoration, trust us: it's never looked better!
Filmed in the Tru-Stereo process, Robot Monster boasts excellent 3-D that rivals big studio efforts of its day. Not only is it restored to its original brilliance, but this showcase edition is loaded with out-of-this-world extras. OVER TWO HOURS OF BONUS FEATURES, in fact!
AND LOTS MORE DETAILS ON THE KICKSTARTER PAGE!
Find out more about the Robot Monster comics collection here!
Related links:
More from Monster Complex
RIP Christopher Fowler—whose off-center detectives solved unusual murders with often an occult angle
Was ‘The Munsters’ inspired by a comic book company? 13 surprising parallels
Making ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN: Behind the scenes of the classic movie
The Munsters: Is Herman Munster Really Frankenstein’s Monster? (Well…)
‘Dracula: Dead and Loving It’—Behind the scenes of the vampire comedy