If you’re remotely familiar with the man John Barrowman is off-screen, then you’re no doubt aware that he’s unashamedly a huge comic book geek. Given that, you’d have to imagine how getting to portray the character of Malcolm Merlyn across five years on hit television series such as Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow had to be a dream come true for him. What’s more is that he actually got to flesh out the backstory of his onscreen counterpart not long ago with Arrow: The Dark Archer, a comic he co-wrote with his sister, Carole.
So, if you enjoyed that or any other past collaborations by the Barrowman siblings, then you should be pleased to learn that they’ll soon be re-teaming for Cursed, a new venture brought to us by Legendary Comics. What’s more is that they’ve brought a friend along for the ride in the form of graphic novelist and television writer Erika Lewis (Game of Shadows, Firebrand: The Initiation of Natali Presano). As of now, no artists have been named, but we’ll keep you posted on that front.
Obviously, this is a much different beast from their trip to the Arrowverse, as John himself says they’ve “always wanted to write a story that pulls together our love of history, our Scottish heritage, and our love of sci-fi and the supernatural. Mix these all together and Cursed was born.” Thus, it sounds like this concept just wouldn’t have worked under a superhero banner.
So, until we have more information to provide regarding Cursed, be sure to check out this official synopsis Legendary sent over that clues us in on what awaits lead protagonist Charlie Stewart:
On the eve of his 40th birthday, he seemed to have it all: the big house, the fast car, the beautiful family, and a high-power career at a leading criminal law firm. Charlie was a 21st century success story, riding high on his own ego. But when he falls victim to an ancient Celtic curse, everything spirals out of control as his perfect life becomes a disaster zone of chaos and calamity. Every decision he makes, every relationship he has, every choice he’s given is doomed to fail spectacularly, no matter what he does.
Embarking on a quest for the truth behind the supernatural forces re-writing his destiny, he discovers that his ancient ancestor is Bonnie Prince Charlie, who made a deal with the ruthless Celtic God of War, Bregon. In return for the Bonnie Prince’s victory, Bregon demanded the prince steal three magical talismans from Bregon’s own sisters. These sisters cursed the entire bloodline and now Charlie must settle a centuries-long family squabble among gods in order to get his own family back. Real life and ancient legend collide in unexpected ways as Charlie battles across this world and opens up realms of time and mystery that no mortal was ever meant to see.