Posted in: Comics | Tagged: graphic novel, Helltrack, kickstarter, rad

SCOOP: Helltrack Graphic Novel Spins Off From The 1986 BMX Movie, Rad

First look at Helltrack, the spinoff graphic novel from the 1986 BMX movie Rad, by the original screenwriters, coming to Kickstarter

Do you remember the BMC movie Rad from 1986? The movie that basically popularised BMX for Generation X in the first place and eventually paved the way for X Games and other action sports? Well, I mean, it was forty years ago, and is only just now getting a spinoff graphic novel, called Helltrack. No? Okay, well here's the forty-year-old trailer…

Helltrack was the name of the BMX competition in the movie (and the trailer), and to be honest, it would have been a much better name for the movie than Rad. Well, now it's the name of the graphic novel. And it features an original story by the original screenwriters Sam Bernard and Geoffrey Edwards, as well as additional character development by its original lead actor Bill Allen, who played Cru Jones, and recently popped up in Breaking Bad.

The graphic novel itself is written by Steven Stern, co-creator of  Zen Intergalactic Ninja, drawn by Ron Williams, co-creator of The Anomalies, lettered by Joseba Morales, and edited by Todd Seligman. The cover is from Brooklyn-based graphic designer and street artist LAmour Supreme.

"In HELLTRACK, the past roars back to life when Cru Jones, the BMX legend who won the world's most extreme bicycle race in 1986, learns that his grandson Billy has entered the qualifier for the modern incarnation. Imparting wisdom and warning of the challenges ahead, Cru recounts the death-defying stunts designed to push competitors to their limits…and the powerful adversaries whose dirty tricks nearly destroyed him both on and off the track. Can Cru's lessons give Billy the courage to chase his dreams and ride his own line?"

Bill Allen says I'm excited to be a part of a project that brings the legend of Helltrack and Cru Jones to a new generation. This is the start of a radical adventure." And Sam Bernard adds, "When I wrote RAD forty years ago, I had no idea it'd have such a lasting impact on BMX culture, and movies in general. I'm excited to be a part of this next adventure as a new generation takes on the Helltrack."

A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign pre-launch page can be found here. Sign up for free, get notified at launch, and maybe you'll get something extra too. You can have an exclusive sneak peek here first, though.

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