Cloak and Dagger, Marvel's Troubled Drug-Busting Runaways, Coming Soon to ABC Family

Readers were introduced to runaway teenagers Ty Johnson and Tandy Bowen, better known as Cloak and Dagger, in the March 1982 issue of Spectacular Spider-Man. This odd pair of street-level super heroes who received their amazing gifts through drugs grasped fans, prompting numerous attempts at limited and ongoing series to spotlight these two unusual heroes. Despite their rich backstory, their gritty story lines that often dealt with drug dealing and their striking designs, Cloak and Dagger never managed to make it past 19 issues.

Luckily for fans, Marvel wouldn't let such a brilliant concept fall into obscurity and Cloak and Dagger have popped up in various guest appearances and one-shot issues over the last two decades, even having a brief stint with the X-Men. Since the current economical situation of the comic book industry doesn't really allow for new risky comic series, Marvel has announced plans to widen their television presence with new shows including a live-action Cloak and Dagger television series on the ABC Family network. No doubt that such experimental television ventures are made possible thanks to Disney's ownership of Marvel but who's complaining?

"I would be more excited if the show was going to be aired on HBO than ABC Family," Michael Leng, a fan of the obscure duo, said. "But I'm just happy in general about the idea of seeing such awesome and little known Marvel Characters getting some exposure."

Leng does have a point though. The thing that made Cloak and Dagger stand out as untypical superheroes were their dark personalities and deep internal struggles. They were two troubled teenagers fighting drug wars, not free-spirits balancing high school drama with over the top super-villains. ABC Family's current lineup of shows include Pretty Little Liars and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Both shows have been successes for the network but will the millions of preteen girls also flock to a show about brooding drug-busting vigilantes or will Marvel re-imagine Cloak and Dagger as American teenagers to appeal to ABC Family's established  audience? Only time will tell but things are looking favorably for a darker tone since it was revealed that the series will take place in a post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans instead of their usual New York City stomping grounds.

One thing is for sure though, the duo certainly allows for stunning visuals as this beautiful Jae Lee cover can attest. Let's hope a generous budget is in the works...