The Umbrella Academy, a television series based on the Dark Horse comic book series of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, is set to hit Netflix sometime in 2019. In order to help promote the show’s upcoming debut, the first in a series of exclusive sketches by Bá has been released on the Umbrella Academy Twitter page. The purpose of these “Under the Umbrella” sketches is to help introduce audiences to the look and feel of the world of The Umbrella Academy TV series.
Under the Umbrella ☂️ Vol. 1 ☂️ The Academy ☂️ Look out for more exclusive sketches by @gabriel_ba teasing the world of The #UmbrellaAcademy, coming to Netflix in 2019. pic.twitter.com/cgRYvLV6ca
— Umbrella Academy (@UmbrellaAcad) August 10, 2018
In the comics, the Umbrella Academy is a dysfunctional family of superheroes tasked with solving their adoptive father’s mysterious death while also watching their relationship as a clan slowly fall apart as a result of their personalities and superpowers being perpetually at-odds with one another.
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The oddball team is comprised of Spaceboy (Luther Hargreeves), who has super strength; The Kraken (Diego Hargreeves), who has the ability to hold his breath indefinitely; The Rumor, who has the ability to alter the world around her by lying; The Séance (Klaus Hargreeves), who can use telekinesis, levitate, and speak to the dead only when he is not wearing shoes; Number Five (The Boy) a time traveller who’s physical appearance is frozen in time; The Horror (Ben Hargreeves), a deceased member of the group who could possess monsters from other dimensions; and The White Violin (Vanya Hargreeves), who can unleash destructive waves of force from her violin.
There were talks of a feature film based on The Umbrella Academy as far back as 2010. Universal Studios brought Mark Bomback on to write the film’s screenplay, but he was then replaced by Rawson Marshall Thurber. However, despite Gerard Way’s enthusiasm towards the script while being interviewed at New York Comic Con 2012, the film never materialized.
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This new live-action television adaption of the comic was then greenlit in July 2017, with Way taking up the role of an executive producer. Filming began on January 15 in Toronto, Canada and wrapped on on July 18. The Umbrella Academy is set to premiere on Netflix at some point in 2019, but as of now, does not have an official release date. Though, fans can likely expect more information regarding the show’s debut, as well as more of Gabriel Bá’s promotional sketches, to be released in the coming months.
