Have you ever wondered what a TV series based on a Dark Horse comic would look like? Well, with any luck, we're likely to see it soon — thanks to a deal recently struck between Universal Cable Productions and Dark Horse Comics.
Universal just announced the agreement, which gives it what's called a "first-look" at all Dark Horse titles. This means that Universal now has exclusive rights to license Dark Horse comics for eventually becoming scripted television series.
Universal is not only looking at Dark Horse's latest titles, though, it's also looking through the company's vast library of older comics.
"Dark Horse Entertainment has an incredible roster of fantastical, witty and mind bending stories," said Dawn Olmstead, Universal Cable Productions' executive vice president of development, in a press statement. "Their brand has conquered multiple media platforms and boasts iconic books that have attracted the highest level of writers. It's going to be a wild and imaginative ride."
According to the press release, Dark Horse and Universal began talking last year at San Diego Comic-Con, after Universal met with some of Dark Horse's top writers and artists. Those conversations led to the agreement, along with an announcement of the first Dark Horse titles that could become scripted TV series.
At the top of the list is Harrow County (written by Cullen Bunn), which only premiered several months ago, but sold out of its first printing quickly. The comic tells the tale of Emmy, who has always known that she's different — in some way connected to the ghosts and creatures that surround her family's farmhouse. The southern gothic horror comic, although gruesome, received great reviews (you can read ours here).
Other potential Dark Horse titles under development include the popular Umbrella Academy, created by My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way and The True Lies of the Fabulous Killjoys writer Gabriel Ba. The Umbrella Academy tells the story of a dysfunctional family of superheroes with weird powers. The sci-fi titles Back-Up and Concrete are also currently in development by Universal.
"As the landscape of narrative storytelling evolves, Dark Horse is thrilled to be working in the golden age of television with Universal Cable Productions," said Dark Horse president and founder Mike Richardson, who currently works with Universal property Syfy as an executive producer on the Dark Matter series. "Their creative team has embraced the spirit of the Dark Horse brand and we're proud to be partnered with them."
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