Supernatural creator Eric Kripke is developing a new supernatural series for the CW. Kripke, who stepped down as showrunner of Supernatural after the fifth season, is now working on the comic book adaptation Deadman for the network, according to Deadline.

Deadman is based on the DC Comic of the same name, which focuses on Boston Brand, a circus acrobat who is murdered by a mysterious man known as "The Hook" and becomes able to possess the living, thanks to the gift of a Hindu Goddess. As a sort of superhero (he wears a costume and everything), Deadman helps the people he possesses while simultaneously trying to avenge his own death. Though he sounds pretty modern, Deadman was surprisingly created in 1967.

Deadman will likely fill the void left by the end of the Superman origin series Smallville, which finished its ten-year run earlier this year.

Kripke will remain involved with Supernatural as an executive producer for the show's upcoming seventh season (which premieres Friday, September 23).

At the TCA press tour last month, CW president Mark Pedowitz confirmed that the network was "looking next year to do a superhero show if the right superhero comes to be." This means that Deadman will likely have a fall 2012 premiere.