Garth Ennis, the acclaimed writer known for creating some of the most brutal and subversive comics in the industry, is set to bring his notorious Crossed series to the big screen. Best known for co-creating popular comic book series such as The Boys and Preacher, both of which have been successfully adapted into hit TV shows, Ennis has had an interesting impact on the world of comics and their on-screen adaptations. Now, his 2008-2010 apocalyptic horror series Crossed, originally published by Avatar Press with art by Jacen Burrows, is the latest of his works to be adapted into a feature film.
The Crossed series stands out even in Ennis’ oeuvre for its extreme violence and unflinching portrayal of human depravity. The story unfolds in a world ravaged by a global pandemic that transforms those infected into sadistic and intelligent maniacs, identifiable by the red cross-shaped rash that marks their faces. Unlike the mindless zombies popularized by countless horror stories, the Crossed retain their cunning and relish in acts of unspeakable brutality, making them one of the most terrifying threats in apocalyptic fiction.
Ennis has previously spoken about the dark inspiration behind Crossed. In an interview, he recalled a nightmare that led to the creation of the series: “I had a dream that I thought was going to be about zombies attacking a house full of victims, but it turned out they weren’t zombies at all. They were simply people, grinning with psychotic glee at the thought of what they were going to do to the occupants of the house — which wasn’t going to be anything nice. Then I woke up.” This chilling vision became the foundation for what would become one of the most controversial and talked-about series in horror comics.
The series taps into some of the darkest aspects of human nature, as Ennis elaborated on the brutal realism underlying the fictional plague: “It would certainly take an infection or some other unusual phenomenon to reduce everyone to a Crossed-type state at once and to keep them there. That’s the invention that the story requires to work. The kinds of acts you see in the story, however, are not invented at all. A quick glance through the history books will reveal all manner of depraved activity; thousands upon thousands of dreadful things that we’ve been doing to each other since time began.”
While the original ten-issue series was the brainchild of Ennis and Burrows, the Crossed universe expanded far beyond its initial run, growing into a franchise that attracted the talents of several notable creators, including Alan Moore, Jamie Delano, and Kieron Gillen. Together, they contributed to over 150 issues and 24 collected volumes, making Crossed one of the most extensive and harrowing horror series in modern comics.
The film adaptation of Crossed will be financed by indie production company Six Studios, with Carl Choi, Ben Hung of Retro Entertainment, and Ken Levin of Nightsky Productions producing. Jeff Huang of Six Studios, Carl Amari, Bill Patterson, and Garth Ennis himself will serve as executive producers, ensuring that the film stays true to the shocking and unsettling nature of the original comic.
Given Ennis’ track record with screen adaptations, fans of the series and horror enthusiasts alike can expect a film that does justice to the visceral intensity and dark themes that made Crossed a cult hit. With Ennis directly involved in writing the screenplay, the Crossed movie is poised to be as disturbing and memorable as the comic that inspired it.
As the project moves forward, the anticipation surrounding the adaptation is sure to grow. With the success of previous Ennis adaptations The Boys and Preacher, Crossed could very well be the next cult classic to emerge from the twisted mind of one of comics’ most fearless creators. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or new to the world of Crossed, this film promises to be an unforgettable journey into the darkest corners of human nature.