With indie comic book properties like Rick Remender's DEADLY CLASS, Joe Hill's LOCKE AND KEY and Greg Rucka's LAZARUS all being adapted for the small screen, do you think it could get anymore obvious that comics are the new hotness in Hollywood?
Today, it's been announced that famed comic book creator Ed Brubaker's Image Comics title VELVET is being adapted for an upcoming television series courtesy of Kyle Killen (AWAKE, LONESTAR). Presented by Brubaker, artist Steve Epting and Colorist Elizabeth Breitweiser, VELVET is a female-driven spy thriller that revolves around former spy Velvet as she sets out to settle an ancient score built on lies in a new world of ongoing espionage. Think ATOMIC BLONDE coupled with the pulpiness of JAMES BOND.
The new comic book drama hails from Paramount Television and will be presented via their Paramount Network, which is re-branding itself from Spike.TV on January 18, 2018. VELVET will mark the first original drama for the new channel. Killen will write the script in addition to acting as an executive produce via his overall deal with Paramount Television. Keith Redmon and Steve Golin of Anonymous Content will also step in to executively produce the project.
Recently, Paramount Network (and TV Land and CMT) president Kevin Kay told The Hollywood Reporter told the outlet, "It's in the world of Wonder Woman, and cast right and with the right pedigree? It's a big idea and we think Kyle is great," While I'm not 100% on what Kay means by "the world of Wonder Woman," I've read VELVET, and it is definitely not anything like WONDER WOMAN. In my estimation, VELVET is a slick spy thriller akin to Brubaker's other notable works like Criminal, Fatale, and Kill or Be Killed.
Killen's VELVET will join a lineup of programs that are already scheduled to make their debut on the upcoming network of which includes: WACO, HEATHERS, FIRST WIVES CLUB, AMERICAN WOMAN, YELLOWSTONE.
This is fantastic news! It's exciting to see networks mining the indie comic book well and choosing worth while stories to adapt for television. VELVET has major potential to be a smart, slick, and sexy addition to the world of comics-on-film and I can't wait to see what happens with this newly announced acquisition.