There’s certainly no shortage of new TV shows based on comic books in 2019. But there’s one series that seems to be on everyone’s radar this year – Umbrella Academy. Based on the comic books from Gerard Way and artist Gabriel Bá, this new Netflix series puts a darker, quirkier spin on the X-Men formula.
If you’re not sure why everyone is looking forward to the show’s debut, it’s time to brush up on all things Umbrella Academy. Here’s everything you need to know about the premise, characters, and setting of this oddball superhero saga.
Umbrella Academy Explained: The Basics
The Umbrella Academy begins when 43 superhuman infants are suddenly born to mothers who had shown no signs of pregnancy beforehand. A wealthy inventor and philanthropist named Sir Reginald Hargreeves adopts seven of these children and raises them to be superheroes at the titular Umbrella Academy. Unfortunately, with Hargreeves being a ruthless taskmaster who cares only about results, these seven children grow up to be dysfunctional, psychologically damaged heroes.