By: Marissa Ross
Before there were billion-dollar box office franchises, before superhero IP became Hollywood gospel, there was a kid named Jim Shooter—and the chaotic bullpen of artists and writers in a Manhattan office who were figuring it all out as they went.
Now, Shooter’s remarkable—and at times turbulent—story is being dramatized in BULLPEN, a new scripted drama from Terminator Salvation producer Victor Kubicek, developed in partnership with media executive Joe Lauria and created by Shooter himself in the final chapter of his life.
The project, which has been quietly in development, now carries the bittersweet distinction of being Shooter’s last creative work before his passing. In many ways, it’s a story that may have been one he was born to tell. The show provides a chance to revisit an era that changed the comic book world and how it continues to shape the industry.
Set in the electric, ego-charged world of 1970s Marvel Comics, BULLPEN follows the rise of a 13-year-old comic book prodigy—modeled after Shooter himself—as he navigates the wild west of publishing, creative wars, and the growing pains of a medium that was still often considered pulp entertainment.
The tone? Think The Social Network meets Almost Famous, with just enough Succession-style tension to keep it grounded. It’s a world of brilliant weirdos, clashing titans, and a teenager trying to shift the system from the inside.
Photo Courtesy: Bullpen (Bullpen Drawing as it was during Jim Shooter’s Reign at Marvel)
“Jim didn’t just live through the most transformative years in comics—he helped define them,” said Kubicek. “BULLPEN was the story he never got to see told. Now, we’re helping to make sure it gets the spotlight it deserves.”
Jim Shooter was never ordinary. By age 13, he was writing full-length issues for DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes. By his mid-20s, he was Editor-in-Chief of Marvel, overseeing a creative renaissance that included Secret Wars, The Dark Phoenix Saga, and countless character arcs that would later anchor the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Shooter brought discipline to the page—but also disruption to the status quo. Revered by some and feared by others, his editorial reign was defined by high standards, sharp elbows, and a vision for narrative structure that many in the industry continue to follow today.
Later, he founded Valiant Comics, one of the few publishers to seriously challenge Marvel and DC in the 1990s, demonstrating again that he could build not just characters—but empires. His work in the industry has had a lasting impact, with his influence still felt today by comic creators and fans alike.
“Jim brought an unmatched intensity to the craft,” said Joe Lauria. “He didn’t just want to tell stories—he wanted to elevate the standard for how stories were told. That energy is all over BULLPEN.”
While BULLPEN is steeped in the Marvel legacy, the show isn’t about spandex or superpowers. It’s about creators. About what happens when ambition, youth, and genius collide in a closed room—and the cultural ripple effect that follows. The show highlights the intricate balance of creative freedom and the pressures that come with it.
Shooter worked closely with Kubicek and Lauria through his company, Illustrated Media, developing the pilot and series bible shortly before his death. According to the producers, platform conversations are underway, but no official deal has been announced.
“This is the origin story behind the origin stories,” said Kubicek. “It’s about the real people who built the modern mythology—and the toll it took.”
As BULLPEN enters the next stage of development, it carries the emotional weight of a farewell project and the creative potential of an untold legacy. For the fans, the insiders, and anyone who’s ever wondered what it really looked like behind the pages—this is where the mask comes off.
