MST3K writer Harold Buchholz on ROBOT MONSTER comics
“Instead of riffing the movies from the outside, you’re riffing from inside the comics, which is so fun.”
Monster Complex talks with one of the contributors to a graphic novel anthology celebrating 1950s sci-fi horror movie ROBOT MONSTER.
MST3K writer Harold Buchholz’s career spans the worlds of comics and television. He’s written for the classic heckling-old-genre-movies show Mystery Science Theater 3000—including both the TV show and the tie-in MST3K comic book.
Of course, his involvement with MST3K is a big deal to us at Monster Complex. Mystery Science Theater 3000 (often referred to by the abbreviation MST3K) is the hilarious TV show that has fun with watching old sci-fi movies like, well, Robot Monster. Created by Joel Hodgson, the basic episode features a person trapped on the satellite who is forced to watch bad movies. But there are robots on the satellite also watching the old movie—and, well, the group has fun heckling the film as it plays.
Over the years, MST3K has had a number of broadcast outlets. Starting at a local TV station in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the show began to play for bigger audiences thanks to Comedy Channel and Comedy Central, the Sci-Fi Channel, and Netflix. They recently launched their own streaming platform, Gizmoplex. There have been more than 200 episodes of the show, and a movie, and live tours.
In our interview, Buchholz shares a bit about his work with MST3K. He is also a comic book industry veteran, an award-winning animator, and an accomplished cartoonist. He co-hosts the podcast Unpacking Peanuts, which has in-depth discussions of the legendary comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. He is also co-founder of the children’s literacy advocacy group Kids Love Comics.
Why we’re talking to Harold Buchholz now
TV and comics veteran Harold Buchholz is also one of the contributors to the comic book anthology ROBOT MONSTER COMICS IN 3-D. For his part in the book, Buchholz will be riffing on Robot Monster with photo comics panels (often called “fumetti”).
We’ve talked about this book on the site a few times. (And yes, partly because my wife and I are also two of the scheduled contributors to this project.) Currently in the middle of its Kickstarter campaign, find out more about Robot Monster Comics in 3-D here.
In our interview with Buchholz, the writer tells Monster Complex about his involvement with the Robot Monster project, shares how his involvement with MST3K impacted his story for the collection, and even shares about some of his other current projects.
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Interview: MST3K writer Harold Buchholz on ROBOT MONSTER comics
Q: What’s your favorite thing about your involvement with this ROBOT MONSTER anthology?
Working with 3-D legend Bob Furmanek, fellow Archie Comics alum Paul Castiglia, and 3-D comics whiz Charles Barnard—plus all the talented artists and writers on this project.
Q: What’s been your involvement with MST3K (and/or how was it involved with your making up this new story about ROBOT MONSTER)?
I partnered with show creator and original host Joel Hodgson to bring the show back. I ran Joel’s company Alternaversal, Executive Producing the 20 new Netflix episodes—and writing on 12 of them and six of the more recent Season 13, and producing and writing on the first two national live tours. It was a dream job bringing the show back with Joel.
Q: You also wrote the MST3K comic book and are now doing this ROBOT MONSTER piece. What are the best ways to apply the MST3K style (which is usually done with video) to comics?
Back in the ’90s I wrote and drew a comic book, Apathy Kat. Inspired by MST3K, I sent my characters into old 1940s and 1950s public domain comics. Which is what we did with the MST3K comic. Instead of riffing the movies from the outside, you’re riffing from inside the comics, which is so fun.
Q: What are your current or upcoming projects that fans should also check out or watch for?
I just did a parody version of The Night Before Christmas that turned out extremely well. It’s called The Neat Before Christmas, and is available on Amazon. I also write and draw a comic strip on Instagram about a little lion and lamb duo called Sweetest Beasts. And I cohost a weekly podcast with two fellow cartoonists, called Unpacking Peanuts, about Charles M. Schulz’s classic comic strip.
Q: What are the best ways for fans to keep in touch or watch for updates about what you’re doing?
More Harold Buchholz online:
More Robot Monster on Amazon:
Related links:
Film archivist Bob Furmanek on getting ROBOT MONSTER more attention—including comics!
Comics veteran Paul Castiglia on the ROBOT MONSTER anthology
Comics Crowdfunding: ROBOT MONSTER COMICS and more projects we love! (Comics Beat)
Robot Monster 3D Comic Kickstarter! (Classic Horror Film Board)
With Further Ado #294: Robot Monster 3-D Comic (Pop Culture Squad)
Robot Monster Movie Gets Graphic Novel (Previews World)
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The Rondo Awards honor the best in classic horror research, creativity and film preservation. This year's winners include the reissue of ROBOT MONSTER, the movie GODZILLA: MINUS ONE, the TV series WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, and more! Find out the details here.