At NYCC 2018, Brian Michael Bendis announced he would be curating Wonder Comics, YA-focused series of titles set DC Comics continuity. While the future of the Wonder Comics line may be in doubt given the recent trimming of DC Comics publishing, but there’s no denying the breakout character Naomi McDuffie introduced in the eponymous series Naomi co-written by Bendis and David F. Walker and illustrated by Jamal Campbell. The creators have said online that a planned sequel to the first limited series is in the works.
According to THR, Ava DuVernay is teaming up with Arrow writer and co-exec producer Jill Blankenship to develop a television series based on the character for The CW. This isn’t the DuVernay’s only foray into the DC Universe having been tapped to direct and co-write a New Gods film based on the Jack Kirby creation.
Based on the 2019 DC Comics title written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker, and illustrated by breakout artist Jamal Campbell, Naomi follows a young woman on her unique hero’s journey. The CW take, which is being written and exec produced by DuVernay and Blankenship, follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse. When a supernatural event rattles her hometown, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins. What she discovers will challenge everything people believe about superheroes.
The drama hails from Warner Bros. TV, where DuVernay’s Array Filmworks is under a rich overall deal. Naomi arrives as The CW plots an expansion of the DC Comics-verse as it continues to say farewell to its Greg Berlanti-produced comic book dramas. The Mark Pedowitz-led broadcaster last season said farewell to Arrow, the DC drama that launched its entire Arrow-verse. Next year, the network will wrap up both Supergirl and Black Lightning. (A Black Lightning spinoff is already in the works.)
Should Naomi go to series, it would mark the first DC drama on the network that isn’t produced by Berlanti. It’s yet to be determined if Naomi will be connected to Berlanti’s universe that currently includes The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, Black Lightning, Supergirl and rookie Superman & Lois. (The CW is also home to DC Universe transfer Stargirl, which is not part of the Arrow-verse, though it is produced by Berlanti.)
Bendis and Walker as well as DuVernay shared their sentiments via Twitter
BOOM!! DC Comics’ ‘Naomi’ TV Series From Ava DuVernay & Jill Blankenship In The Works At The CW https://t.co/z8ZkoJMHQU via @Deadline
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) December 4, 2020
Well, the cat is outta the bag. Super excited to have @ava on board. I can't think of anyone better to help Naomi make the transition from print to screen. https://t.co/WcGXjRdNqx
— David F Walker (@DavidWalker1201) December 4, 2020
Thanks @DCComics for believing in the vision. Barda. Zee Hernandez. Now, Naomi. The third DC project for @ARRAYNow. Working hard to bring these ladies to the screen. Thanks to @BrianMBendis @DavidWalker1201 + my writing partner Jill Blankenship for joining me on NAOMI. Love her. pic.twitter.com/0ZXoGYsOik
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 4, 2020
Loved the NAOMI mini-series — definitely the best thing that came out of Wonder Comics (which is saying something.)
Glad the original team is planning a sequel; and have high (but realistic) hopes to how the comics will get adapted by the CW.
So basically she has a blank canvas to work with?
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