James Patterson and Condé Nast are teaming up to revive The Shadow in a series of books with the intention that they can be adapted for the screen. Little Brown, a Hachette Book Group imprint, will publish the original series and the first installment is due in the fall of 2021.

The Shadow, the New York-based vigilante was introduced by Walter B. Gibson in a series of pulp novels in the 1930s. A popular radio drama was voiced by Orson Welles and in ’94 Alec Baldwin starred in a film adaptation of the series.

“Who can forget the Shadow’s historic tagline, ‘Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?’” Patterson said in the official statement. “Well, the Shadow knows. And soon readers will, too. I’ve long been a fan of The Shadow and am looking forward to bringing his legendary character to life in the modern age.”

Bill Robinson of James Patterson Entertainment also stated that their goal is to introduce the character to a new generation.

“James Patterson is the all-time master of the American thriller genre,” Markus Grindel, Managing Director, Global Brand Licensing, Condé Nast, said. “The origins of that genre began with the Shadow stories of New York’s golden age. There’s a natural creative match at work here along with a significant through-line.”

“Knowing that James Patterson has created some of the most enduring crime fighters of all-time the future of The Shadow couldn’t be in better hands,” Neil McGinnis, how manages the Street & Smith superhero universe, said.