Marvel's Live-Action New Warriors (with Squirrel Girl) Ordered to Series

CBR

By Brett White

Published Apr 5, 2017

The new series will be the first half hour superhero comedy produced by Marvel Television.

Freeform is becoming a go-to destination for Marvel Television. In addition to the "Cloak and Dagger" live-action series that is currently in production, the network has just ordered a live-action series based on "New Warriors" to series. As announced by The Hollywood Reporter, the series will also feature Squirrel Girl.

Unlike previous Marvel television series, "New Warriors" will be a half-hour comedy. Kevin Biegel ("Cougar Town") is nearing a deal to write the pilot and serve as showrunner. THR notes that Biegel is a longtime Marvel -- and specifically Squirrel Girl -- fan. Freeform has already ordered a 10-episode first season. "New Warriors" comes from Marvel Television and ABC Studios' cable division ABC Signature. Marvel's head of TV Jeph Loeb will executive produce alongside Biegel and Jim Chory.

"Freeform's mission is to deliver incredible content to young adults and Marvel Television seamlessly aligns with that mission — we couldn't be more proud to collaborate with them on Marvel’s New Warriors,” said Karey Burke, exec vp programming and development at Freeform, in THR's announcement.

THR's report also includes an overall synopsis for the series, which highlights the show's lighter, comedic tone.

'New Warriors' revolves around about six young people with powers living and working together. With powers and abilities on the opposite end of the spectrum of The Avengers, the New Warriors want to make a difference in the world ... even if the world isn't ready. With Freeform focused on a group dubbed "becomers" — those experiencing a series of firsts in life including first loves and first jobs — New Warriors explores the journey into adulthood, except in this world, they're not quite super and not yet heroes and the guys can be as terrifying as bad dates.

The "New Warriors" show will mark the first major team-up between Squirrel Girl and the team. The Warriors -- which includes such heroes as Night Thrasher, Speedball, Firestar, Namorita, Nova and Marvel Boy/Justice -- debuted in late 1989's "Thor" #411 before quickly landing their own ongoing series. Hailed as "heroes for the '90s," the original "New Warriors" series lasted 75 issues. The team has returned a number of times over the years, including for a more comedic take which positioned the team as reality TV stars in 2005.

Squirrel Girl similarly debuted in the early '90s, in "Marvel Super-Heroes" #8. Created by Will Murray and Steve Ditko, Squirrel Girl most recently landed her own popular ongoing series -- "Unbeatable Squirrel Girl" -- which dialed up the hero's optimism and comedic tone as she entered college and continued to earn the heroic adjective "unbeatable" in fights with major Marvel villains like Doctor Doom and Galactus.