George R.R. Martin Bringing Multiple Wild Cards Shows To Hulu

Variety reports that Hulu is developing two shows based on the superhero book series Wild Cards, which is edited by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. Hulu will set up a writers room and will produce with Universal Cable Productions. Andrew Miller will write and executive produce both shows. Martin will executive produce with co-editor Melinda Snodgrass and Vince Gerardis.

Here’s a synopsis: Set in the present, the “Wild Cards” books explore the aftermath of an alien virus, released over Manhattan in 1946 that killed 90% of those it infected. In the survivors, DNA was altered, creating grotesque physical deformities, except for a tiny percentage who develop super human powers instead. Called the Wild Card virus, it has passed down through generations, and can go undetected until suddenly activated by a traumatic event — at which point the carrier is either killed, mutated or granted god-like powers. Effects that are largely a manifestation of the victim’s emotional state, making them vulnerable to reverence or ridicule on a deeply personal level. Now, after decades of sociological turmoil, having been worshipped, oppressed, exploited and ignored, victims of the virus want to define their own future.

The books were released starting in 1987, with forty authors writing stories for it. Over two dozen books have been published, with the most recent (Texas Hold ‘Em and Low Chicago) arriving this past year. Martin came up with the idea after his time as a gamemaster in the roleplaying game “Superworld.”