LA-based IDW Entertainment is moving into animated content with a trio of fantasy book adaptations on its development slate.

The company’s two-pronged strategy with these projects is to broaden its kids TV portfolio and also experiment with the medium of animation, says senior director of kids, family and animation Daniel Kendrick. “We’re playing with some out-of-the-box visual styles on these properties,” he notes, explaining that the first project on the slate, Dragon Puncher & Spoony, will feature a blend of photorealism and 2D animation.

Based on James Kochalka’s 2010 graphic novel of the same name, Dragon Puncher & Spoony is about an armored cat who fights dragons with his spoon-wielding sidekick. Holly Huckins (Recess) is attached to the project as showrunner and executive producer. 

Next up will be a TV series treatment of Christian Slade’s 2007 book Korgi. With Aury Wallington (Spirit Untamed) showrunning, this coming-of-age story explores the friendship between a young fairy and her magical pup. 

And rounding out the adaptation three-pack is Relic of the Dragon, stemming from a 2018 book by Adrian Benatar and Miguel Ángel García. Bryan Miller (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe) will be the showrunner on this series about a man’s quest to find a relic that could decide the fate of his nation.

“These titles immediately jumped out as very adaptable for kids TV,” Kendrick says of the slate, highlighting its mix of whimsical comedy and adventure. All three series will target kids ages six to 11.

IDW’s entertainment division adapts IPs with screen potential from the vast catalogue of books published by its sister company, IDW Publishing. It has previously focused on adult content,  but recently produced the live-action tween series Surfside Girls, which launched on Apple TV+ in August.