Murdoch Mysteries Expands to Comics with Ryan North at New York Comic Con

The Canadian period procedural Murdoch Mysteries has quietly become one of the longest-running detective series in television history, recently premiering its 20th season. Now the franchise is venturing into uncharted territory with a new comic book spin-off announced during the show’s panel at New York Comic Con. Collider’s Maggie Lovitt reported from the event.

Murdoch Mysteries stars Yannick Bisson as Detective William Murdoch, a police investigator in late 19th and early 20th century Toronto who employs advanced, occasionally anachronistic forensic techniques to solve crimes. Since its 2008 debut, the series has aired continuously, surpassing 330 episodes, with the latest season launching last week on CBC Television in Canada and Ovation in the United States. The show has become a cultural touchstone, even attracting a guest appearance from then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The series originated from novels by Maureen Jennings and is now returning to print with a twist. At the NYCC panel, producers unveiled plans for a Murdoch Mysteries comic book series written by Ryan North, a Toronto resident and acclaimed comics writer. Attendees received a first look at artwork depicting Murdoch confronting a villain atop a speeding biplane over the Canadian wilderness, suggesting the comic may take the detective beyond his usual Toronto setting and into action sequences that would strain a television budget. The publisher, full creative team, and release date remain unannounced.

Image via Maggie Lovitt

Who Is Ryan North?

A Canadian writer and cartoonist, North first gained prominence for his absurdist webcomic Dinosaur Comics, which uses identical clip art panels with varying dialogue. He went on to write an Adventure Time comic for KaBoom! Studios before Marvel hired him to write The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl with artist Erica Henderson. The series ran for 58 issues plus a graphic novel and achieved cult status. North currently writes Fantastic Four for Marvel and recently penned the event series One World Under Doom, which saw Doctor Doom seize global control. His other credits include Star Trek: Lower Decks comics for IDW and the innovative choose-your-own-adventure book Warp Your Own Way.

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