Few films have left as lasting an impression on BMX culture as RAD. Released in 1986, the cult classic followed hometown hero Cru Jones as he battled rival Bart Taylor on the legendary Helltrack course, blending gravity-defying stunts with an underdog story that resonated with riders around the world. Although the film didn’t become an immediate box office phenomenon, its reputation grew steadily through home video, cable television, and word of mouth, eventually earning its place as one of the most beloved BMX films ever made.
Now, forty years later, that story is finally continuing. Tiger Pig Entertainment’s HELLTRACK graphic novel serves as the official sequel to RAD, reuniting original screenwriter Sam Bernard and actor Bill Allen while introducing a new generation to the world of Cru Jones. The oversized hardcover follows Cru years after his legendary victory as he mentors his grandson Billy, who must confront the infamous Helltrack course for himself. Written by Steven Stern, illustrated by Ron Williams, and featuring a cover by renowned artist L’Amour Supreme, the project is currently seeking funding through Kickstarter.
For editor Todd Seligman, however, HELLTRACK is far more than another comic book project. Like countless BMX riders of his generation, Seligman credits RAD with inspiring him to pursue competitive BMX, eventually becoming a sponsored professional vert rider before building a career producing BMX videos, television, documentaries, feature films, and video games. His connection to the film runs even deeper than fandom—after spending decades pursuing the rights to continue the story, he ultimately helped transform that lifelong dream into reality through the graphic novel format.
That unique combination of fan, professional rider, filmmaker, and producer gives Seligman a perspective few others could offer. During our conversation, he discussed why comics became the perfect home for HELLTRACK, how the creative team worked alongside original RAD creators Sam Bernard and Bill Allen, the challenge of capturing BMX’s speed and style on the printed page, and why he believes this comic is only the beginning of a much larger vision for the franchise.
ACTION A GO GO: You’ve described BMX, movies, and comic books as your three biggest passions growing up. How did those interests ultimately lead to HELLTRACK?
Todd Seligman: RAD inspired me to want to compete in BMX more than anything. I always had a passion for movies and comics, which I’ve always seen as closely connected. I pushed myself hard and eventually became a sponsored professional BMX vert rider. From there, I started making BMX videos, which evolved into TV shows, documentaries, feature films, and video games as the sport continued to grow in popularity.
RAD was essentially adrift as a film for more than 30 years without even receiving a DVD release. As a producer, I spent a long time trying to acquire the rights.
AAGG: Why was a graphic novel the right medium for continuing the story of RAD?
TS: I’ve always loved comics. During the process of trying to acquire the movie rights, I learned from the writers and producer of RAD that the novelization rights were still available. I thought, what better way to breathe new life into this story?
AAGG: As a former professional BMX rider, what perspective did you bring to the project that helped make it feel authentic?
TS: The original Helltrack was both groundbreaking and a bit disappointing as an actual BMX course. Along the way, I also became a designer of X Games BMX courses, so I felt there was an opportunity to preserve the best parts of Helltrack while elevating the entire course around its most iconic features—like the massive starting ramp and the inspired, but impractical, Cereal Bowl.
AAGG: What were the biggest challenges in translating the speed and excitement of BMX racing to the comic page?
TS: Our story artist, Ron Williams, is an incredible comic book artist, but he had to learn some of the mechanics of BMX bikes and how to accurately portray the physics of riders while airborne and performing tricks. He’s worked incredibly hard to get those details right.
AAGG: How closely did the creative team work with Sam Bernard and Bill Allen during development?
TS: Sam has been our primary collaborator on the story. He embraced the ideas we brought to the table and appreciated how we found ways to honor the original while pushing certain elements even further.
Bill is the biggest champion RAD has. He’s the one who introduced me to Sam Bernard and Geoffrey Edwards, which ultimately made this entire project possible. I think he sees his legacy as deeply connected to Cru Jones, and he genuinely loves that there’s still such a passionate fan base more than 40 years later.
AAGG: What made Ron Williams the right artist to bring HELLTRACK to life?
TS: LAmour Supreme was a no-brainer for the first cover. He’s a BMX rider and street artist, but we still needed someone to handle the interior artwork. We looked at several artists before choosing Ron.
Ron has an incredible ability to portray action dynamically while maintaining detail without making everything look overly cartoony. Another comic artist even commented on the Bleeding Cool article, “Glad they got an old pro in Ron Williams drawing this… bikes are tough!”
AAGG: The Kickstarter includes trading cards featuring both comic characters and real BMX talent. Why was it important to connect the project to today’s BMX community?
TS: RAD was always special because it blended real BMX professionals with fictional characters. When I acquired the rights to the RAD story, those rights didn’t include all of the iconic BMX riders who appeared in the movie. So I set out to reconnect with as many of them as possible and include them in the books.
AAGG: What has the response been like from RAD fans and BMX riders who have seen the project so far?
TS: Everyone seems stoked! Some people who aren’t regular comic readers may actually be more excited about the Kickstarter rewards and collectible swag we’re offering, but I see this as just the beginning of an ongoing story—and potentially the first step toward making Helltrack a real BMX event.
AAGG: Bill Allen has hinted that HELLTRACK is only the beginning. How ambitious is the long-term vision for the franchise?
TS: Like I just mentioned, we’re already in the early stages of making Helltrack a real, modern BMX event. We want to continue telling the story through future comics while also reintroducing Helltrack as an event that BMX riders can actually compete in.
AAGG: For someone who loves RAD but hasn’t picked up a comic book in years, what makes HELLTRACK worth checking out?
TS: It took BMX decades to become anything close to what the filmmakers imagined back when RAD was released. Comics give us the opportunity to bring back all those feelings and all that nostalgia—like seeing riders drop in from that insane starting ramp for the very first time.
We want to thank Todd for this interview! Whether you’re a lifelong RAD fan who still remembers Cru Jones’ unforgettable ride down Helltrack or someone discovering the franchise for the first time, HELLTRACK looks to capture the same sense of excitement, competition, and heart that made the original film a cult classic. Judging by Todd Seligman’s passion for the project—and his ambitious vision for its future—this graphic novel is more than a nostalgic sequel. It’s the foundation for a new chapter in BMX storytelling.
The HELLTRACK Kickstarter campaign is live now and offers an oversized deluxe hardcover edition of the graphic novel, along with exclusive rewards ranging from collectible trading cards and stickers to other limited-edition items created especially for fans of RAD and BMX culture. If you’d like to help bring the next chapter of Cru Jones’ story to life, now is the time to get involved.
For more information or to support the campaign, visit the official HELLTRACK Kickstarter page.