Exclusive: David Avallone to adapt his father’s work for WEIRD TALES OGN

The iconic pulp magazine Weird Tales returns in comics form this year from Monstrous, and the official graphic novel adaptation will feature a particularly important story from writer David Avallone and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina artist Robert Hack.

Today, The Beat can exclusively reveal that Avallone and Hack will adapt a classic horror tale by Avallone’s father, Michael Avallone, entitled “The Man Who Walked On Air.” Michael Avallone’s story was originally published in the September 1953 issue of Weird Tales, and now it will see new life in the Weird Tales graphic novel from Monstrous.

“My father, Michael Avallone, grew up reading Weird Tales… and in 1953, he was thrilled when he made the first professional sale in his long writing career to the magazine, with ‘The Man Who Walked On Air,'” Avallone said in a statement to The Beat.

“I’ve always loved the story, and thought it was a shame one could only read it in crumbling pulp magazines, or a long-out-of-print anthology. So naturally I was thrilled at the idea of this (appropriately post mortem) collaboration with my late father, adapting this terrific little tale to comic book form,” he continued. “When I was asked who I’d like to illustrate it, my first choice was Robert Hack… an amazingly talented artist who I also knew to be a fan of my father’s writing. I think the result speaks for itself: you’re gonna love it.”

In addition to Avallone and Hack’s “The Man Who Walked on Air,” the Weird Tales graphic novel will feature the following story adaptations:

• Ray Bradbury’s “The Scythe,” adapted by artist J.K. Woodward and Joe Ledger creator Jonathan Maberry
• Allison V. Harding’s “The Damp Man,” adapted by artist Marco Finnegan and award-winning novelist Nancy A. Collins (the first woman to write Swamp Thing and Vampirella)
• Robert E. Howard’s “Skulls in the Stars,” adapted by 30 Days of Night co-creator Steve Niles
• An original Lovecraft Mythos Story by Peabody Award-winning screenwriter and producer Rodney Barnes with art by Lukas Ketner
• C.L. Moore’s “Shambleau,” adapted by artist George Quadros and writer Blake Northcott
• Anthony M. Rud’s “Ooze,” the first story published by Weird Tales in 1923, reimagined by Weird Tales president, director, and producer John Harlacher with art by Zac Atkinson

The book will feature cover art by Kelley Jones (below) and Eric Powell.

Monstrous’s Weird Tales graphic novel will be an 8.5×11″ prestige hardcover offered via Kickstarter. The campaign will also feature limited edition tiers with collectible covers and backer-exclusive rewards, including t-shirts, a Weird Tales challenge coin, and more.

For updates, sign up on the Kickstarter prelaunch page to receive an email when the campaign launches.