By: Marissa Ross
Victor Kubicek, the producer known for rebooting the Terminator franchise with Terminator Salvation, has quietly been developing a new scripted drama titled BULLPEN with media executive Joe Lauria and comic book legend Jim Shooter—a series that now stands as Shooter’s final project before his recent passing.
Created and written by Shooter himself, BULLPEN pulls back the curtain on the wild, often volatile inner workings of the comic book industry in the 1970s. The show is inspired by Shooter’s own life and meteoric rise—from 13-year-old comic prodigy to the youngest editor-in-chief in Marvel’s history. Through this lens, BULLPEN offers a gripping, coming-of-age drama set in the creative furnace of Manhattan’s comic scene, where rivalries, egos, and the struggle between art and commerce collide. The series also highlights the intense pressure faced by young artists and creators striving to make their mark in a rapidly changing industry, often navigating personal and professional challenges.
Described as The Social Network meets Mad Men, BULLPEN tells the untold origin story behind the superhero boom—focusing on the real-life drama that unfolded inside Marvel Comics during its most pivotal era. Its narrative is expected to captivate audiences who are curious about the intersection of creativity and business during one of the most transformative periods in comic book history, where key decisions shaped pop culture for generations to come.
Jim Shooter was a singular force in comics—part prodigy, part iconoclast. He sold his first script to DC Comics at just 13 years old, writing for Legion of Super-Heroes, and quickly rose to become a major creative presence across the industry. By the time he was in his twenties, Shooter had become Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, overseeing a transformative period that gave rise to some of the publisher’s most iconic storylines, including The Dark Phoenix Saga, Secret Wars, and Kraven’s Last Hunt.
Bullpen Drawing as it was during Jim Shooter’s Reign at Marvel
Shooter was both revered and feared for his rigorous standards, business acumen, and commitment to narrative consistency. He shaped how stories were told and how creators were treated, and later went on to found Valiant Comics, a 1990s powerhouse that rivaled Marvel and DC with its tight storytelling and breakout titles.
BULLPEN marks the final passion project of his legendary career—a chance to dramatize the true story behind the mythos he helped create.
“Jim Shooter didn’t just shape comic book history—he was central to it,” says Kubicek. “BULLPEN is the series he always wanted to make. It’s his legacy in motion, and we’re honored to carry it forward.”
Shooter developed the show alongside Kubicek and Lauria through his company, Illustrated Media, crafting the pilot and series bible in the final chapter of his life. The series explores not only Marvel’s inner workings but the larger cultural shift comics underwent—maturing from pulp entertainment into billion-dollar intellectual property. It is poised to reflect the journey of an industry that evolved from niche fandom to a global cultural force.
“Jim brought a sense of purpose and intensity to storytelling that made the entire industry better—he never just followed trends, he helped define them,” adds Lauria. “With BULLPEN, we wanted to show the world just how bold and human that journey really was.”
“This is the origin story behind the origin stories,” Kubicek adds. “It’s about power, youth, and obsession—and the cost of building something that stands the test of time.”
The project is currently in development, with early conversations underway with platforms and talent. No network is currently attached.
As BULLPEN moves into its next phase, it does so not only as a series about comics but as a tribute to a man who helped shape the world behind them.