Renowned filmmaker Kevin Smith is embarking on an exciting new venture by creating a gripping comic book store murder mystery television series titled Local Heroes, in collaboration with Universal and NBC. This innovative series promises to blend humor and suspense, captivating audiences with its unique premise.

For decades, Kevin Smith has been a prominent figure in the comic book community, owning the iconic Jay & Silent Bob’s Secret Stash comic book store. His previous success with Comic Book Men, a reality show aired on AMC for seven seasons, showcased the vibrant culture surrounding his store and its colorful characters. Now, according to reports from Variety, Smith is once again drawing inspiration from his beloved comic book shop to bring forth Local Heroes. As a writer and executive producer, he is joined by the talented Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan, both of whom have a rich background in comedy, particularly from their time on 30 Rock. This new series is being developed under the auspices of Universal for the NBC network.

Additionally, the project sees involvement from Hazy Mills founders Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner, along with Jordan Cerf, further enriching the creative team tasked with bringing this fresh narrative to life.

The plot of Local Heroes revolves around a group of dedicated comic book store patrons who unite to unravel mysterious crimes occurring in their hometown. This intriguing premise promises to deliver a blend of humor and detective work, appealing to both comic enthusiasts and mystery lovers alike.

Jim Donnelly, the executive vice president of comedy development at Universal TV, shared insights into the show’s creative direction. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting, “We take pride in our collaborative efforts. Sean Hayes’ company has a long-standing presence here. Josh and Dylan are successful writers who have previously collaborated with greats like Mike Schur and Tina Fey. Kevin Smith is someone I admire greatly, and his expertise in the genre is invaluable. This murder mystery set in a comic book store aligns perfectly with NBC’s penchant for single-camera, large-ensemble comedies.”

Local Heroes is part of a broader trend within Universal’s comedy division, which has ramped up production following their recent Emmy win for the acclaimed show Hacks. This victory marked a significant milestone, being their first Emmy win since 30 Rock in 2009. Donnelly articulated that Universal’s comedy ethos centers around an “underlying positivity,” stating, “Our shows generally avoid caustic humor. We believe comedy should leave viewers feeling uplifted at the end of each episode or season. Our productions consistently achieve this goal.”

In addition to Hacks, Universal has seen success with various other comedic offerings, including A Man on the Inside, St. Denis Medical, Happy’s Place, and Loot. The eagerly anticipated show Laid, featuring Stephanie Hsu as a woman whose romantic partners face mysterious demises, is set to premiere on Peacock on December 19th. Furthermore, The Four Seasons, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell, will debut on Netflix next year, while a new comedy set in the world of The Office is also in the works with Greg Daniels and Michael Koman.

What are your thoughts on Universal’s expanding comedy lineup? Are you intrigued by the upcoming Local Heroes series from Kevin Smith? We invite you to share your opinions by leaving a comment below.

As a long-time admirer of Kevin Smith for thirty years, I am eagerly anticipating the outcome of Local Heroes. I hope that this collaboration with Universal also paves the way for the much-desired sequel to Mallrats that Smith has been hoping to produce for years.