Writer Christian Ward is set to expand the Event Horizon franchise with a new comic series titled Inferno, according to polygon.com. Working alongside artist Rob Carey, Ward will move the timeline of the cult horror franchise 200 years into the future.
The new series follows a billionaire who funds a private fleet to plunder the wreckage of the original ship. This plotline aims to explore themes of modern wealth disparity while building upon the established lore of the 1997 film.
This project follows the success of Ward's prequel, Event Horizon: Dark Descent. That initial venture, which established new canon for the long-neglected series, received critical acclaim and financial success from Paramount and IDW.
A roadmap for the franchise
Ward's approach to the series involves a long-term vision for the universe. In an interview with AIPT, Ward described his pitch for the franchise as a "roadmap" rather than a traditional story pitch, detailing how the lore could continue indefinitely.
While the prequel focused on the backstory of the original film, Inferno aims for more distance. Ward told AITP, “I wanted to distance myself from the film a little bit and tell our own story. I didn’t want it to feel like Dark Descent 2. I wanted it to feel like its0n thing.”
The upcoming series will emphasize technology and action sequences to suit Carey's artistic strengths. Ward will also provide covers for the series, utilizing his established reputation for eye-catching horror art.
Ward brings a significant resume to the project, including work on ODY-C, Invisible Kingdom, and Batman: City of Madness. His ability to navigate the horror genre provides a steady creative direction for a franchise that has seen little movement since the original film's release.
