John McCrae’s Online Prose Series ‘Worm’ Gets An IDW Comic Book Adaption
by Olly MacNamee
John McCrae’s Worm is the biggest prose web serial of all time. It ran online from 2011-2013 in a sprawling superhero story “featuring kids unlocking their powers through extreme trauma and facing seemingly impossible odds and complicated moral dilemmas”. At its peak, over 1 million views a month were recorded, with over 80 million views overall. And now writer McCrae is teaming up with IDW Publishing to adapt Worm into comics.
McCrae will act as consultant on this new ongoing comic book series, to be written by Meghan Fitzmartin, with art by Javier Ortiz, colours by David Vaquero, and letters by Andriy Lukin.
Speaking of this adaptation, McCrae stated:
“Worm came about as an attempt to bring superheroes and supervillains, designed as they are for the visual medium of comics, to the printed word. Here, we bring it full circle. In talking to IDW, it was refreshing that they knew the work, that they shared many of my thoughts and ideas for updating and revising the work, and that they saw the potential for Worm. I look forward to working with them and have high hopes as we bring Worm into the comics realm.”
And here’s an overview of the series:
“After enduring a brutal and bloody bullying scandal, Taylor finally has the power to fight back: With her newly triggered ability to control insects, she could prove everyone wrong and become a hero… or kill anyone who stands in her way.
In a world of superpowered gang members, fanatical cults, and ruthless serial killers, Taylor must navigate the dangerous politics and unwritten rules of the local “cape” scene, where the line between hero and villain is anything but clear. For Taylor, perhaps, least of all. Will she risk everything to save others, or use her power exact revenge on those who’ve wronged her?”
Fitzmartin stated:
“I’m so excited and honored to work on WORM with some of the best folks in comics. I came to WORM late in the game, but I was immediately enthralled by the amazing, vibrant world John has built. A story about complicated women, people with powers, feminine rage, and folks trying to do the right thing … with varying results? Sign me the f*ck up. Javier and David pack a powerhouse of a punch onto every page, giving WORM the brutal, tempestuous love Taylor, Armsmaster, and the Undersiders deserve.”
IDW Executive Editor Heather Antos added:
