SpindleHorse Tackles Aspiring Homestuck Animated adaptation
Vivienne Medrano‘s SpindleHorse, the autonomous animation studio behind the popular Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss, has announced a major new project: an animated pilot based on the beloved webcomic Homestuck. This exciting progress was revealed during a live-streamed panel at GalaxyCon’s Animate! orlando event, signaling a important expansion for the studio and a long-awaited adaptation for a dedicated fanbase.
A Cult Classic Reimagined
Originally created by Andrew hussie as part of his MS Paint Adventures series, homestuck captivated audiences from 2009 to 2016. It’s a sprawling, multimedia story centered around a group of teenagers who inadvertently trigger an apocalypse.
Here’s a breakdown of the core premise:
John, Rose, Dave, and Jade discover a mysterious beta game called Sburb.
Playing Sburb is the only way to avert universal destruction and forge a new universe.
The original webcomic uniquely blended comic strips, Flash animation, instant messaging logs, and even playable browser games.
This innovative approach to storytelling fostered a deeply engaged community, and now, SpindleHorse aims to bring that world to life in a new format.
What to Expect from the SpindleHorse Adaptation
The pilot episode is slated to debut on Vivienne Medrano’s popular YouTube channel this september. While a traditional broadcast or streaming partner hasn’t been announced yet, Medrano’s previous series have found success on Prime Video, suggesting strong potential for wider distribution.
SpindleHorse is leveraging a talented team to bring homestuck to animation. Here’s a look at the key creative personnel:
Vivienne Medrano: Executive Producer
Skye Henwood: Director & Writer (Hazbin Hotel)
Mel Shin: Storyboard Director
Ben Jones: Animation Director
Hone: Art Director
Richard Horvitz: Voice Director (Invader Zim,Helluva Boss)
A Stellar Voice Cast
The voice cast is equally remarkable,featuring established talent and a special nod to the Homestuck community. You’ll recognize these names bringing the characters to life:
Toby “Radiation” Fox: John Egbert (We Baby Bears)
Cherami Leigh: Rose Lalonde (Miraculous, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War)
Colleen O’Shaughnessey: Jade Harley (Miraculous, Sonic the Hedgehog)
Adam McArthurs: Dave Strider (Kaiju No. 8, Jujutsu Kaisen)
Brandon Winckler: Karkat Vantas (Murai in Love, Fena: Pirate Princess)
This cast promises to deliver nuanced performances that capture the spirit of these iconic characters.
why This Matters for Animation and Fans
This adaptation represents a significant undertaking for SpindleHorse,demonstrating their commitment to ambitious,creator-driven projects. For Homestuck fans,it’s the realization of a long-held dream – a professionally animated version of a story they cherish.
Furthermore, the project highlights the growing influence of independent animation studios and the power of online communities in shaping the entertainment landscape. You can view the pilot’s trailer and the full panel discussions from Animate! Orlando to get a deeper dive into the project’s development.
This is a project to watch closely, as it could redefine how webcomics are adapted for animation and further solidify SpindleHorse’s position as a leading force in the industry.