TV
‘The Phantom’ – Live-Action Series Based on Classic Superhero Comic in Development
A live-action TV series based on the influential superhero comic strip “The Phantom” is in the works, Variety has learned.
Reginald Hudlin (Boomerang, House Party) will direct and produce the show, which is in the development stage at King Features (“The Cuphead Show”).
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The Phantom was first published by Lee Falk in 1936. A predecessor to Batman, the titular “Ghost Who Walks” is commonly credited as the first costumed superhero.
The character was previously the subject of the 1943 serial The Phantom, the 1986 animated series “Defenders of the Earth,” the 1994 animated series “Phantom 2040,” the 1996 feature The Phantom starring Billy Zane, and Syfy’s 2009 miniseries “The Phantom.”
Owned by Hearst, The Phantom franchise boasts a global readership of more than 29 million. The most recent comic launched last year from Mad Cave Comics.
“The development of a live-action series for the iconic comic strip ‘The Phantom’ marks a pivotal expansion to meet the current cultural zeitgeist for this brand,” said King Features president C.J. Kettler. “By partnering with award-nominated director Reginald Hudlin, who possesses a deep reverence for the comic industry and source material itself, we are confident this adaptation will meet the high expectations of both longtime and new fans globally.”
Along with his work in film and TV, Hudlin is a veteran of the comics industry. He previously wrote for Marvel’s Black Panther and is co-owner of the DC-distributed comic book company Milestone Media.
TV
Mike Mignola’s ‘Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal’ Getting a TV Series from Echoverse
The novel Grim Death and Bill The Electrocuted Criminal from Thomas E. Sniegoski (The Fallen) and acclaimed artist/author Mike Mignola (Hellboy) was turned into a podcast by Echoverse alongside Cineverse and Bloody Disgusting last year, and Variety reports this week that Grim Death is now being turned into a television series.
Grim Death and Bill The Electrocuted Criminal is a darkly-comedic story about a man named Bentley who, in order to release his parents from purgatory, has agreed to work for Death avenging those who have been killed before their time. Aiding him in his supernatural quest is Bentley’s acerbic butler Pym, head-strong journalist Gwen, and nearly-dead sidekick Bill.
Variety reports that Grim Death is in development as a television series from Echoverse, which will “either be a standard show or one optimized for the short-form vertical viewing market.”
The outlet notes, “The podcast, which debuted on Cineverse’s Bloody Disgusting in 2025, received many accolades, including being a 2026 Podcast Showcase Selection at the Tribeca Festival; winning Best Fiction Podcast and Best Fiction Podcast Writing at the Communicator Awards; taking bronze for Best Drama Podcast at New York Festivals Radio Awards; and more.”
“From the minute we read the novel, we thought Tom and Mike had created something unique and special,” Echoverse president Mark Stern said in a statement shared by Variety. “Seeing the incredible response the audio-drama has received — not just from fans, but from critics — only confirmed that. We couldn’t be more excited to see this richly textured world become a compelling television series, hopefully with this superlative cast reprising their roles.”
Mike Mignola and Thomas E. Sniegoski will executive produce the upcoming TV series.
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