Kolchak: The Night Strangler

By Ted Brown On September 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In Comic Books

Kolchak: The Night Strangler from Moonstone is the comic book adaptation of the 1973 film by the same name. Due to the great success of the first Kolchak film ABC commissioned Richard Matheson to write a script for a second film giving birth to “The Night Strangler”. The story is based around a serial killer in Seattle who strangles his victims but what the papers didn’t know is that there was also a small strange detail withheld involving a lack of blood in each of the girls bodies.

As most of you more than likely know by now I am a huge fan of Kolchak and have covered many titles from the franchise in my time here at Comics Forge. The 1973 film Kolchak: The Night Strangler is a movie I grew up loving and watching on endless occasions along side episodes of the television series. I had mixed feelings at first with this adaptation but as I moved deeper into the familiar story, I started to feel right at home. My only real complaint is the more cartoon approach this book takes art style wise I prefer the more stylized and detailed art found in other Kolchak books from Moonstone.

If you are as big of a fan as I am of the most infamous private detective / paranormal investigator to ever walk the Earth then let me recommend a interesting way to spend an afternoon. Obtain yourself a copy of the original ’73 film and this interesting adaptation and consume them both back to back then compare their effectiveness visually. Personally, I still prefer the film to the comic book version but overall I did end up enjoying reading this legendary tale as well.

Moonstone has always treated this franchise with care and respect always satisfying Kolchak’s die hard fan base and this book is no different than those that came before it. With the upcoming Kolchak film project approaching I am curious to see how many new fans flock to the books from Moonstone after they see the film. I’m crossing my fingers that the film is a huge success and more film goers and comic book fans become exposed to a character I have spent a big chunk of my life following giving me countless hours of entertainment. A writer who chases the unknown has always been a concept that interested me and is one of many influences that landed me where I am today.