Pastrami Nation Interview: Kolchak The Night Stalker Kickstarter with Wandering Planet Toys
By Nolan P. Smith
Editor | Pastrami Nation
Some characters never really leave the shadows—they just wait for the right moment to step back into the light. For generations of fans, Carl Kolchak has been one of those figures: a rumpled, relentless reporter chasing stories no one else is brave—or foolish—enough to touch. From smoky Las Vegas nights to the eerie corners of Chicago, his investigations into the supernatural helped define a strange, compelling corner of pop culture that still resonates today.
Now, that legacy is getting a tangible new form. Indie toy company Wandering Planet Toys has teamed up with publisher Monstrous to bring Kolchak back in a way fans have never seen before: the first officially licensed action figures of Carl Kolchak and his infamous adversary, the vampire Janos Skorzeny. Drawing inspiration from the original novel and its iconic screen adaptations, the project reimagines these cult-favorite characters as detailed, collectible 6-inch figures designed with longtime fans in mind.
It’s a fitting tribute to a character who has endured for more than five decades. Since his debut in 1972, Kolchak has carved out a unique place in genre storytelling—part horror, part mystery, and entirely his own. For collectors and fans alike, this release represents more than just a new addition to the shelf; it’s a celebration of a world where the unexplained is always just one headline away.
To learn more about how this ambitious project came together—and what it means for fans of Kolchak and beyond—I spoke with Wandering Planet co-founders Gavin Hignight and Chris “Doc” Wyatt about the origins of the figures, the challenges of bringing them to life, and why now was the perfect time to revisit this classic property.
Pastrami Nation: Kolchak has been a cult favorite since the 1970s. What made now the right time to finally bring Carl Kolchak to the action figure world?
GAVIN: Wow… so many factors. Kolchak is one we always wanted to make from the beginning… but it took meeting James and Mounstrous, and I think what we’ve accomplished with our previous lines like The Prisoner and Laurel and Hardy to be ready for Kolchak in toy form. I think fans have wanted this figure for decades, but Kolchak is niche, he is a cult hero and toys like this were not exactly likely or possible until crowdfunding made them within reach.
DOC: In addition, one night recently, I was sleeping when a giant crashing sound woke me up. I looked up to see part of my bedroom wall had exploded open. When the dust settled I could make out the shape of an android in a hoodie. It called itself MR. R.I.N.G. and told me that if Wandering Planet Toys didn’t make KOLCHAK action figures it would come back and kill me. So, we thought– yeah, let’s make the toys. My kids need a dad.
Pastrami Nation: This is the first-ever officially licensed Kolchak action figure. What were some of the biggest challenges in translating the character into a 1/12 scale collectible?
GAVIN: Honestly the work of creating Kolchak in 1/12 scale wasn’t as challenging as some other things we’ve tackled, because we have envisioned for so long what we wanted. Also, he’s such a well realized character, he translates easily across media, publishing, books, comics, TV, and now toys. We need a Kolchak: Video Game next obviously. Now… the work on putting together any detailed 1/12 action figure is A LOT. design, prototyping, package design, concept, marketing, crowdfunding, press, working with the licensor, working with the factory, working with fulfillment, navigating tariffs, navigating freight… making a figure is challenging, but ole Carl Kolchak wasn’t any harder than the rest.
DOC: The largest challenge for me, personally, was worrying that if we didn’t get the details right that MR. R.I.N.G. would come back, remove his hoodie to show he was getting down to business, and then destroy me.
Pastrami Nation: Chris Carter has famously cited Kolchak: The Night Stalker as a major inspiration for The X-Files. Do you see Kolchak as the original blueprint for modern paranormal investigators in pop culture?
GAVIN: I love that Kolchak is in the DNA of THE X FILES as I LOVE both! I definitely think Kolchak brought this type of hero from the page to the TV screen. I also love the type of hero Kolchak and Jim Rockford are. The everyman hero, who’s just trying to make a living and save people from the bad guys one week at a time, whether they get credit for being heroes, or make a buck, they do the right thing.
DOC: I, personally, used to not see KOLCHAK as the original blueprint for paranormal investigators because SCOOBY-DOO came out in 1969, three years before Kolchak. But when I said that to MR. R.I.N.G. he flew into a homicidal rage. He started sparking, and smoking, and making a kind of “SKWEEEeeeee” noise. He said “that talking mutt is an abomination, KOLCHAK IS THE TRUE BLUEPRINT.” So, I mean, I guess I changed my opinion after that. Now I’d say, yeah– Kolchak = blueprint all the way.
Pastrami Nation: Nostalgia-driven collectibles—from retro toys to classic horror—are having a huge resurgence right now. Why do you think collectors are gravitating toward these classic characters?
GAVIN: Because they are AWESOME! Ha ha, I think we just love ways to celebrate these heroes villains and monsters in fiction, in our own world. They are totems, little reminders of great adventures and insights and emotional moments we get from their stories. And crowdfunding, and smaller niche companies like ourselves are now getting to band together with fans and make more cult like heroes a possibility given the very expensive costs of manufacturing toys and collectibles of this quality. It takes a village and fandom to get it done.
DOC: Gavin’s right, all that stuff he’s saying is true. But ALSO there’s a possibility that homicidal androids are breaking into people’s houses and making them collect these kinds of figures. Androids are, on the whole, more active in people’s lives than I used to realize.
Pastrami Nation: Wandering Planet has successfully crowdfunded several unique toy lines. Why is Kickstarter such an important platform for niche collector properties like Kolchak?
GAVIN: Wow, I think I just answered that above on accident… but I will add that we really can’t do it without the fellow fans who join us, pledge, pre order a figure and stick with us while we manufacture. It really is a celebration nine to twelve months after a campaign when we all get our figures and celebrate that we came together to make them happen. We are thankful and enjoy the community we’ve met in each fandom of toys we’ve made.
DOC: Excuse me, I need to go. I’m hearing strange noises coming from the other room and have to investigate.