Painkiller pulled

By John Freeman on August 16, 2007

The SCI FI Channel US has cancelled the action series Painkiller Jane, according to Hollywood Reporter, which stars starring Kristanna Loken.

The show, based on the comic book heroine created by Jimmy Palmiotti and Joe Quesada for Event Comics in 1995, will finish out production on its first 22 episodes, which will continue to air as originally slated until its finale on 21 September in the US.

The series follows top a DEA agent with healing powers, Jane Vasco, as she tracks “neuros”, humans with superhuman powers.

The comic version of the character has scored strong success, unlike her TV counterpart. Originally a five-issue miniseries, the character went on to star in numerous cross-over titles with the likes of the Punisher, Vampirella and Hellboy and had a sell-out first issue when recently relaunched by Dynamite Entertainment, who also publish various Red Sonja titles and Battlestar Galactica tie-ins.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.