One of the internet’s most influential superhero stories is finally coming to comics. IDW Publishing is adapting John McCrae’s Worm, the prose web serial that ran from 2011 to 2013, as an ongoing comic series, the publisher announced.
Worm drew more than a million views a month at its peak and about 80 million views in total, and it has never had a physical release before. The comic is being written by Meghan Fitzmartin, with art by Javier Ortiz, colors by David Vaquero and letters by Andriy Lukin. McCrae, who writes as Wildbow, is consulting on the series.
“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,” McCrae said. He added that it was refreshing that IDW “knew the work” and shared many of his ideas for updating and revising it.
The story follows Taylor, a teenager who gains the power to control insects after enduring a brutal bullying campaign. She sets out to become a hero in a city full of superpowered gangs, cults and serial killers, where the line between hero and villain is anything but clear.
Fitzmartin admitted she came to Worm late, but said she was “immediately enthralled” by the world. “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,” she said.
Readers get a first look on Comics Giveaway Day, May 1, 2027, with a special prequel issue that includes a new written piece by McCrae, according to Comics Beat. Worm #1 follows in July 2027. Skylar Patridge drew the first issue’s Cover A.
IDW Executive Editor Heather Antos said the series came to the publisher through editor Cassandra Jones, whose personal connection to the story first introduced the team to it.
It is another 2027 launch for IDW, which also announced its new White Ash Comics imprint this week.
