Universal Cable Productions has signed a first-look deal with comic book publisher Dark Horse Entertainment that will focus on developing and producing scripted programming from its extensive comic book library, as well as new material.
Discussions for the deal began at Comic Con in 2014 when Dark Horse introduced UCP executives to some of their top writers and artists. Over the last year, those conversations continued and have yielded multiple television projects with direct involvement from the comics creators.
Projects currently in development:
- Harrow County — Emmy has always known that the deep, dark woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts, goblins, and the restless dead. On the eve of her 18th birthday, she learns that she is connected to these creatures and to the land itself in a way she never imagined, for she is the reincarnation of a powerful witch who was put to death on the very day Emmy was born. For this reason, the townsfolk mean to kill her too. In order to survive, Emmy must embrace the unusual powers at her command. This project is based on the brand new book written by Cullen Bunn (The Damned, The Sixth Gun) and illustrated by Tyler Crook (Bad Blood). The comic quickly sold out of its first printing.
- The Umbrella Academy — Nine years after parting ways, the estranged members of the Umbrella Academy, a dysfunctional family of superheroes with bizarre powers, must figure out how to work together to save the world. Created by Gerard Way (lead singer of My Chemical Romance, and writer of The True Lies of the Fabulous Killjoys) and Gabriel Ba (Daytripper); Bluegrass Films is also attached to executive produce.
- Back Up — In the near future, a new technology allows people to be backed up the same way we now back up our computers — but instead of protecting against drive failure, these backups protect against death. This project is based on a feature script by Tom Vaughn. Kenny Golde is set to write and executive produce, Brad Anderson (Zoo, Almost Human) is in negotiations to direct. Jim Wedaa is also attached to executive produce.
- Concrete — After his subconscious is transplanted into a hulking stone body, Ronald Lithgow must come to terms with his new form and try to live a normal life. This Eisner award-winning title is the opus of comics legend Paul Chadwick.
