Netflix is publishing comics now because streaming sites will inevitably own us all

Netflix may be known for urging us to stare at a screen for hours on end, but the streaming giant wants you to gaze at paper, too – with its first-ever comic book.

The original book, called The Magic Order, will be created by comics legend Mark Millar, who's responsible for popular titles like Kick-Ass and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

When Netflix acquired Millar's company, Millarwold, back in August it seemed like the deal would start a new kind of collaboration for Netflix's original series and reputable creators in other industries. But this announcement means that Netflix is interested in creating different kinds of content all together.

And in an industry where two companies – DC and Marvel, obviously – own the eyes of most readers, another big name in the mix could really shake things up. Indie publishers like Image, Dark Horse, and Valiant may be putting some of the best content out there, but their reach really pales in comparison to Marvel and DC. Since Netflix isn't working with a superhero universe, they'll be more free to tell a variety of stories about an array of people.

The Magic Order seems like a sort of Harry Potter meets Batman tale. It will follow a group of five families of magicians who protect the world from evil and monsters while the rest of the world (the Muggles?) sleep. It'll be writen by Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel, who is known for his work on Thor, The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, and more.

The series will be told in six issues starting in spring 2018, and they'll be available digitally as well as in print at your local comic book shop.