To Back or Not to Back on Kickstarter
Just how astounding Bit Bot Media’s graphic novel Bride of Rocky Horror is depends entirely on a fan’s point of view. Its Kickstarter campaign bills it as the “officially licensed” continuation of the Rocky Horror tale. But as any Frank N. Furter fan knows, chaos lurks behind even the most polished façade. The project promises “The cult classic’s next chapter — an official graphic novel with campaign-exclusive editions and merch.” Yet the “first-ever officially licensed” label raises questions: who is able to grant the license, and why isn’t Richard O’Brien, the show’s creator, involved?
The project claims official licence status, yet I could not find any public declaration naming the exact rights-holder. There’s also no prominent studio branding from the film side (20th Century/Disney, for example), which you’d expect if the licence encompassed the full film universe. In interviews, the creative team emphasizes the stage production rather than the film sequel, suggesting the licence might stop at the stage show boundary.
The biggest clue? The sequel, Shock Treatment, goes completely unacknowledged. Brad and Janet got married and live a sort of happily-ever-after—but in this tale, they never made it that far. The plot synopsis reveals ex-fiancé Brad is off on his own, with Shock Treatment nowhere in sight. If this were a fully canonical continuation, one would expect at least a nod to the sequel. O’Brien did pen and had a role in the continuation. Its absence suggests the narrative operates within a narrower rights corridor.
The Bride of Rocky Horror breakdown:
- ✅ Legitimately licensed — Bit Bot lists it as official, and media outlets confirm as much.
- ⚠️ Limited licence — Likely only covers the stage show, not the full film rights or narrative universe including Shock Treatment.
- ❌ Not a full studio-backed, creator-endorsed sequel — It doesn’t embrace all corners of the property.
In short, you’re getting an authorised extension of the Rocky Horror world, but one with invisible walls blocking parts of the lore. Original music is missing; what’s offered in this project does not exist on the same plane as the live-action material. Honestly, I’d rather listen to a radio play with a few new original tunes—at least the fans could do the Time Warp just one more time. At least the creators got that part right with chiptunes.
Bride of Rocky Horror might scratch that itch. Even though it is not approved by Richard O’Brien, I still want to read it. If your curiosity is also piqued, it’s fine to back the Kickstarter at its most basic level.
If you hesitate to dive in immediately, it’s unclear whether there will be a retail offering; I have seen none of Bit Bot’s titles at my local comic shops. Their reach is smaller than a big-city store, and demand depends entirely on what fans crave. …and will Eddie approve? Just remember what happened to him in the movie.
Discover more from Otaku no Culture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
