AMC is once again dipping into the world of comic books, and this time with another non-fiction series.
According to Variety, AMC has picked up the documentary series tentatively titled Heroes and Villains: The History of Comic Books. The comic book history show will be executive produced by The Walking Dead‘s Robert Kirkman and David Alpert, as well as both Ryan and Sean Furst, co-presidents of Skybound Entertainment’s film and TV divisions.
The plan for the series is to take an in-depth look at the ways various people, stories and cultural events have shaped the ever-growing world of comic books. The show will use the lens of comic books in relation to things like race, gender and politics. These stories and perspectives on comic books will be told over six hourlong episodes.
It comes as no surprise that Kirkman is involved in this project. He has a strong relationship with AMC with both of his Walking Dead shows. Kirkman is also a well-respected and hugely popular comic book creator, being the mind behind The Walking Dead comics as well as Invincible and Outcast. “At the end of the day I am a comic fan first and foremost,” said Kirkman. “I am a lover of the medium and the stories it enables people to tell. I’m excited to partner with AMC once again to bring the stories of some of the most influential people in comcis to a television audience.”
AMC has been getting involved in both the comic book game and the non-fiction TV game. The premium channel currently has both Walking Dead series and Preacher. On the non-fiction front, Heroes and Villains joins other AMC shows Talking Dead, Ride With Norman Reedus, Geek Out! and Comic Book Men.
Joel Stillerman, president of programming at AMC, shared his enthusiasm at working with Kirkman and Alpert once again. “We are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with Robert, David and Skybound,” said Stillerman. “Beyond ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ they are prolific producers and publishers who have an amazing knowledge of comic book history and genre storytelling. We believe going deep into the history behind some of the greatest comic books will be of great interest to this audience.”
The announcement of this series comes at an appropriate, but solemn time with the recent news that highly influential, award-winning comic book writer-artist Darwyn Cooke just passed away. Cooke, recognizable for his bold, retro style, is known for his work on DC’s The New Frontier and his multiple graphic novel adaptations of the Richard Stark hard-boiled series Parker.