Netflix's The Defenders might all be suffering as part of Disney/Marvel pulling its characters back for its streaming service, but fear not! A brand new group of comic book types will spearhead their own series before teaming up. It's just... this lot aren't all exactly heroes. Howard The Duck, M.O.D.O.K, Hit-Monkey and Tigra & Dazzler will hit US service Hulu in animated shows.
Howard, who has always been a troublesome character, saw his profile raised thanks to a cameo in Guardians Of The Galaxy and some newer comics issues. The chatty fowl be brought back to screens by avowed comicbook nut (and occasional writer) Kevin Smith alongside Aqua Teen Hunger Force veteran Dave Willis. In the show, Howard will be trapped in a world he never made, but hopes to return home with the help of Beverly before the evil Dr. Bong can turn him into crispy duck.
M.O.D.O.K, based on the character whose acronym expands to Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing, focuses on an egomaniacal supervillain with a really big head and a really little body, who struggles to maintain control of his evil organization and his demanding family. Comedian/actor/writer Patton Oswalt will work on that show along with Community's Jordan Blum. Hit-Monkey tells the tale of a wronged Japanese snow monkey, mentored by the ghost of an American assassin, as he cuts a wide swath through the Tokyo underworld. That show comes from Blades Of Glory and Office Christmas Party creators Josh Gordon and Will Speck.
Finally, there's Tigra & Dazzler, which sees the politically progressive characters as they try to get their super-powered heads, hands and hearts around life in the City of Angels. Comedian-turned-talk show host Chelsea Handler is part of the team for that series, working with Erica Rivinoja, who crafted the story for Girls Trip and has worked on shows including South Park and The Last Man On Earth.
With Marvel TV overlord Jeph Loeb also involved in each show, the aim is to have the characters team-up in a special called The Offenders. It's a seemingly odd move, especially in an age where Disney is scooping every character it can under its direct control, but perhaps this group of oddballs is better suited to a place outside of the Mouse House's family friendly streaming world.
Given that the shows will be on Hulu in the US, it's anybody's guess as to where they'll end up in the UK.
Keep up to date with all the latest movie news, click here to subscribe to Empire on Great Magazines and have the latest issue delivered to your door every month.