Wandering Planet Toys is bringing one of horror’s most beloved paranormal investigators to collectors’ shelves for the first time ever. As the Kickstarter campaign launches, AIPT can exclusively reveal the blacklight packaging artwork that will accompany the upcoming officially licensed Kolchak: The Night Stalker action figures.
The figures are being produced in partnership with publisher Monstrous, marking the first-ever officially licensed action figures of reporter Carl Kolchak and his infamous vampire foe Janos Skorzeny.
Since his debut in 1972, Carl Kolchak has become one of weird fiction’s most enduring characters. The hard-nosed reporter first appeared in Jeff Rice’s novel Kolchak: The Night Stalker, which was later adapted by Richard Matheson into the hugely successful TV movie starring Darren McGavin. The film, along with its sequel The Night Strangler and the cult-favorite television series Kolchak: The Night Stalker, cemented Kolchak’s place as a pop culture icon and inspiration for generations of supernatural storytelling.
Now Kolchak makes his long-awaited toy debut as a 1/12 scale deluxe collectible figure.
The Carl Kolchak Single Figure features 22 points of articulation, two interchangeable heads (with hat and without), and multiple hands. Accessories include Kolchak’s typewriter, camera, tape recorder, and crucifix, allowing fans to recreate classic investigative moments from the original novel.
Collectors looking for something darker can pick up the Kolchak Versus the Night Stalker two-figure pack, which includes a blood-splattered variant of Kolchak alongside a terrifying Janos Skorzeny vampire figure, capturing their deadly confrontation.
In addition, Wandering Planet will offer a retro-style collectible metal lunchbox, Kolchak’s first-ever tin lunchbox, featuring artwork from Monstrous’ Kolchak comic series illustrated 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,” said 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 for helping make this collector’s dream a reality.”
Co-founder Gavin Hignight added that Kolchak’s underdog spirit made him an ideal character for the line.
“I absolutely love a hero who is down on his luck but does the right thing because it’s the right thing,” Hignight said. “Carl Kolchak is that type of hero.”
Wandering Planet Toys has previously crowdfunded collectible figures for Laurel & Hardy, The Prisoner, and the first officially sanctioned Nancy Drew action figures.
The Kolchak: The Night Stalker action figures are now available to support through the campaign on Kickstarter.
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