Lark lands the TV rights to Lemire & Nguyen’s Descender and Ascender series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

You guys, I am freaking out right now. And when I say freaking out, I mean positively freaking out! After all, it's not everyday that one of your favorite independent comic book series of all time gets picked up for a television adaptation.

It's been reported that Canada’s Lark Productions has snagged the exclusive television rights to Image Comics’ sci-fi graphic novel series “Descender,” and its sequel “Ascender,” created by New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Essex County, Justice League Dark, Frogcatchers, Black Hammer) with art by Dustin Nguyen (Batman: Streets of Gotham, Lil' Gotham) and letters and design by Steve Wands (Gideon Falls, The Flash, Trail of Blood).

DESCENDER tells the truly epic story of Tim-21, a young robot struggling to stay alive in a universe where all androids have been outlawed and bounty hunters lurk on every planet. After a devastating attack unlike the galaxy has ever seen, it's discovered that Tim-21 could be the key to restoring balance amidst the fractured cosmos. The series launched in 2015 and consists of 32 awe-inspiring issues of sci-fi fantasy goodness.

As for "Ascender," this sequel series was launched in 2019, and takes place 10 years after the events of "Descender." Trading robot titans and photon blasters for misshapen creatures and magic, "Ascender" follows Mila, a young girl who soon discovers that her enchanted world filled with vampire covens and nightmarish creatures is poised to be visited by enemies from beyond the stars.

While speaking with Deadline, Lemire said, “The world of “Descender” and “Ascender” just keeps growing, and Dustin and I are very happy to be working with Lark to bring it to televisions screens as well. Their passion for the comics and devotion to telling the story the right way has us both very excited.”

“It’s definitely going to be an entirely new adventure to see our characters come to life onscreen and share them with a whole new audience,” Nguyen said.

“‘Descender’ [and] ‘Ascender’ is a beautifully crafted saga, examining the tolls of technology on nature and humanity, which feels very timely for television,” added Erin Haskett, president of Lark Productions.

Previously in 2015, Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired rights for a feature film based on "Descender," though that film project has since gone quiet.

Having just recently completed a series read of "Descender," in addition to reading all ten issues of "Ascender" as well, believe me when I tell you that this is a project to watch. Both series deliver larger-than-life stories with dynamic characters and world-changing consequences around every selfish decision made. Both series got a very visceral reaction from me, and I simply cannot wait to see how this new television adaptation pans out. Don't disappoint me, Lark. You've got this!