Gerard Way’s Umbrella Academy is coming to Netflix

Gerard Way and Gabriel Bà’s Umbrella Academy is reportedly coming to Netflix. The streaming service is expected to make an official announcement at San Diego Comic Con.

Umbrella Academy celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its first issue release this September. Written by Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) and illustrated by Gabriel Bà (Casanova, Daytripper), the series takes place in an alternate timeline. It follows “dysfunctional family of superheroes” in the year 1977 as it could have been if JFK was never assassinated.

The concept of Umbrella Academy is that 43 superpowered infants were born to random, disconnected women who were seemingly never pregnant. Only seven of them survive, and a wealthy entrepreneur adopts them all. They comprise the Umbrella Academy titular team.

Universal Studios has optioned a film version of Umbrella Academy but no other film news has been forthcoming. Now, a Netflix announcement for a full series is apparently coming. Scriptwriter Jeremy Slater spoke to Collider in September about writing the pilot. He said he was eager to keep the series as close to the spirit of the book as possible.

According to reports, Netflix will announce the series later this month. It is likely that the announcement will occur at San Diego Comic Con, or at the very least during that weekend. Way is supposed to be involved in the TV series, though his role is currently not known. Since he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his episode of The Aquabats! Super Show!, it’s safe to assume he will write for the series. He may also produce or feature music.

Since Netflix hasn’t made an official announcement, Umbrella Academy is still somewhat up in the air. It will be interesting to see who’s selected for the cast and crew. This series has the potential to be an instant favorite.

Netflix is smart to dive deeper into the comic industry.

Following the success of Netflix’s Marvel series, it makes sense for the streaming service to dive into more comic book adaptations. It is surprising but gratifying to see a Dark Horse Comics book make the cut. Slater pointed out in his Collider interview that Umbrella Academy does some very bizarre things. The series has to be handled carefully to translate well on screen.

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Now, the question is: will the series prompt Way and Bà to work on the long-awaited third volume of Umbrella Academy? Hopefully, yes. And hopefully the Netflix series won’t surpass the comic books in plot. Fans do not need another George R.R. Martin situation on their hands.