Marvel is working again with Freeform (formerly ABC Family), after establishing plans for a Cloak and Dagger series, to launch New Warriors, the publisher’s first half-hour comedy. The series will unite the team with one of Marvel’s recent breakout stars, Squirrel Girl. The initial order is for ten episodes, set to begin in 2018. Kevin Biegel – formerly of Cougar Town and Scrubs fame – is a likely showrunner and writer for the series.
The Freeform network specializes in young adult programming, so televising the beloved Squirrel Girl is an effective way to draw in their target audience. Not to mention the single-cam sitcom approach, a popular style utilized by DC’s own half-hour NBC comedy, Powerless.
New Warriors aims to cover the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to The Avengers. Instead of established heroes, the series will focus on young, just-blossoming “warriors” who are undergoing significant changes as they transition into adult life. Squirrel Girl, the confident, upbeat fangirl who can speak to squirrels, will surely provide comedic relief and leadership to the team of aimless amateurs. Though as of now, the plot-specifics are unannounced.
New Warriors could expose wider audiences not only to fan-favorite Squirrel Girl, but also to the likes of Speedball, Night Thrasher, Justice, and whichever other superhero underdogs Marvel decides to recruit to the New Warriors team.
While Squirrel Girl has never been an official part of the "New Warriors" comic, Fabian Nicieza is said to have considered adding her to the roster during his long stint on the series in the ’90’s. Considering the comedic tone, a more appropriate series to adapt may have been "Great Lakes Avengers,", a team of lesser-known heroes that frequently featured Squirrel Girl. But perhaps Marvel wants to distance this show from the Avengers property.
You can expect to be properly slapped in the face with humorous optimism and furry memes next year when New Warriors debuts on Freeform.
