Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas knows a thing or two about smart, witty detectives, but what does he know about zombies? We may find out, as Thomas is reportedly reuniting with VM executive producer Diane Ruggiero for an adaptation of DC’s iZombie. And we can add this to the list of DC properties CW is looking to develop (see also Hourman, Flash, and of course, the currently airing Arrow).
The comic was created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred, and the potential series would be based on the characters from the story and set up as a supernatural crime procedural that centers on a med student-turned-zombie who gets a job at a coroner’s office, where — as you can imagine — brains are more readily accessible than one might find elsewhere. Given that’s what zombies tend to eat, it’s not hard to understand why this would be such a convenient occupational setting for a zombie. Here’s where the crime procedural factors in, as each brain that the zombie eats allows her to inherit their memories. With the help of her medical examiner boss and a police detective, she’s able to solve homicide cases, which helps to quiet the disturbing voices in her head.
The zombie/supernatural element seems like kind of a leap from Veronica Mars, but factoring in the continuing trend of all things supernatural among young adults, it seems like the right direction for Thomas if he’s looking to get back into the TV business and into the mind of a persnickety female sleuth.
The me from five years ago is simultaneously waving her fist at the CW and urging Rob Thomas to run to another network. But five-years-ago me was still grieving the loss of Veronica Mars and feeling especially bitter over the show’s cancellation. It’s five years later and we’re getting the Veronica Mars movie we’ve all been waiting for, so it’s time to let old grudges go. And the CW’s actually in a better place in terms of its original programming than it was back then, building on their original slate of fan favorites like The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural with comic-themed shows like Arrow and possibly a Flash spinoff. Given the current interest in zombies — The Walking Dead’s success is a prime example — and comic adaptations, the timing probably be couldn’t be better right now.
So we’ll have to see where things go with this project and whether or not it makes it to series. If things work out, it could be a huge starring vehicle for some undiscovered talent. Just look at where things went for Kristen Bell after Veronica Mars.
