Prime Video has given a series order to a television adaptation of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips' Criminal ongoing comic book series.
The series was first published under Marvel Comics' Icon imprint before shifting to Image. The first issue was released in October 2006 and to date, there have been 5 graphic novel volumes released which collect the first 38 issues.
Prime Video is fast-tracking the series, which was previously hampered by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, per Deadline. With the pilot script complete, up next will be casting and filming.
Brubaker is heavily involved with the show, having written the pilot. He also serves as co-showrunner alongside Jordan Harper.
This announcement is the latest development in Brubaker's transition from comics to television.
After working at Marvel and DC Comics for years (and famously creating the Winter Soldier for Marvel), Brubaker most recently worked on HBO's Westworld. He'll also serve as co-showrunner on the upcoming Batman: Caped Crusader animated series for Amazon.
The graphic novel is a three-time Eisner Award winner, taking home trophies in 2007, 2012 and 2019.
In a press release, Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly-owned development, Amazon MGM Studios stated, "Criminal is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics. I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed, Jordan, and the team to bring it to the screen."
In the same press release, Brubaker added, "Sean and I have been building this world in our books for over a decade, and now to be able to bring it to life for Amazon is just incredible. And to have Amazon support the project the way they have, and show so much faith in my and Jordan’s vision for the show is even more incredible."
Criminals Vol. 1 is subtitled Coward and follows Leo, a professional pickpocket who is also a legendary heist-planner and thief. But there's a catch with Leo, he won't work any job that he doesn't call all the shots on, he won't allow guns, and the minute things turn south, he's looking for any exit that won't land him in prison.
But when he's lured into a risky heist, all his rules go out the window, and he ends up on the run from the cops and the bad men who double-crossed him. Now Leo must come face-to-face with the violence he's kept bottled up inside for 20 years, and nothing will ever be the same for him again.