In what may be an unexpected follow-up to Smallville, Variety reports The CW is looking to develop a series based on the DC Comics character Raven.

Created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, the teleporting half-demon empath debuted in October 1980's DC Comics Presents #26 as a founding member of the new Teen Titans. Her struggles with her dark side and her demonic father Trigon were central elements of the hit '80s New Teen Titans franchise.

Just how the television Raven will differ from the comic-book version remains to be seen. It seems likely The CW series will downplay or completely disregard her involvement with the Teen Titans, focusing instead on the character's other-dimensional aspects. Variety characterizes Raven as someone "who uses her skills to fight crime while trying to keep her dark internal elements in check," which would be in line with the network's other series, like Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries.

Raven is being written and produced by Diego Gutierrez (V, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) through Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment.

The series is only the latest attempt by The CW and its predecessor The WB to find a companion, or replacement, for the long-running Smallville, now in its 10th and final season. The 2002 series Birds of Prey aired for just four months, and the 2006 pilot for a Smallville spin-off starring Aquaman was never picked up. Two years later the network gave a commitment to The Graysons, centering on young Dick Grayson before he became Robin, but those plans were quickly abandoned.