Ernest P. Worrell Returns to Comics for First Adventure Since 1998

Writer Corey Perkins is set to collaborate with illustrator M Arief Russanto and colorist Mariam Yasser to revive the beloved character Ernest P. Worrell in a new, spooky comedy story titled Ernest & the Dream Stone. The project will be crowdfunded starting next month. Featuring a trailer that has already sparked interest, this new book has been in development for a couple of years and has the backing of the franchise’s rightsholders. Although the late Jim Varney, who famously portrayed Ernest, cannot give his endorsement, his biographer and cousin appear in the trailer to affirm that Varney would have loved the project.

Perkins shared his enthusiasm on the project’s Facebook page, stating, “If you’re an Ernest fan, rest assured over the last couple of years we poured over the script making the story as strong, on brand, and Ernest-y as possible. Even the dialogue reads so that you can hear Ernest’s voice on the page!”

The character of Ernest was initially created as a regional pitchman with a unique twist. Unlike typical mascots tied to a single brand, Ernest was played by Varney and created by Varney along with ad executive John Cherry. Originating in Nashville, these ads quickly became a sensation, with Hats Off Entertainment dubbing Ernest “the original viral star”. Through these ads, Ernest evolved into a legitimate movie star and cultural icon. Over time, Varney starred in hundreds of commercials, a series of shorts, and nine feature films as Ernest.

Varney’s non-commercial debut came in the form of a Saturday morning sketch comedy series, Hey Vern, It’s Ernest! This series earned Varney a Daytime Emmy Award. The Ernest movies began in 1987 with Ernest Goes to Camp, featuring Varney alongside a cast of mostly-unknowns, including future Supernatural star Richard Speight Jr. and beloved character actors Iron Eyes Cody and John Vernon. Produced on a reported budget of $3.5 million, the film garnered $23.5 million at the domestic box office and became a video rental market staple, continuing to generate profits for years.

The first four Ernest movies were all released theatrically. By 1993, the box office appeal of Ernest had diminished, yet the character remained popular in video stores nationwide. While critics rarely connected with Ernest’s brand of humor, audiences, especially children, adored the character. This consistent connection with viewers, along with the comparatively low production costs, made Ernest one of Hollywood’s most reliable franchises.

The Kickstarter campaign for Ernest & the Dream Stone will launch on September 17th and run until October 17th, just in time for the Halloween season.

Source: comicbook.com, particle.news