Fox Developing DC Comics’ ‘The Spectre’ as Drama Series

Fox continuing to support the superhero genre.

While the new broadcast season features a lack of superheroes on the schedule for the first time in years, Fox has is developing a potential drama series based on DC Comics’ long-running The Spectre.

The network has ordered a script, to be executive produced and penned by John Doe scribe Brandon Camp, based on the DC hero.

From Warner Bros. Television and Gerber Pictures, Bill Gerber (Gran Torino) is attached to executive produce the project, which revolves around a former cop serving time in afterlife limbo who hunts down earthly criminals on behalf of the dead – and mortals soon to be dead – if ultimate justice is not served.

The Spectre, created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Bailey first originated in DC’s More Fun Comics #51 in 1940. The character received its own titled in 1967

Fox cable sibling FX, meanwhile, is adapting the superhero series Powers, based on the comic series by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming with Lucy Powers and Jason Patrick.

Warner Bros. TV also is developing Deadman with Supernatural creator Eric Kripke, at the CW.

ABC also is developing Marvel Comics’ The Hulk.

The CW’s Superman origin series Smallville, from Warner Bros. Television, ended its run last season.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit