Variety broke the news this morning that Academy-Award-winning visual effects designer John Dykstra (Star Wars, Spider-Man 2, X-Men: First Class) plans to direct a film based on Tales From the Farm, the award-winning first volume of Jeff Lemire's much-acclaimed Essex County trilogy!

The film, currently using the working title "Super Zero," is adapted from Jeff Lemire's graphic novel by John Carr, and will be produced by Steven Gilder and Alec Chorches as well as Top Shelf Productions. Jeff had this to say: "I'm excited about the news and optimistic that John Dykstra will make an entertaining film that stays true to the heart of Essex County."

Tales From the Farm is the story of Lester, a 10-year-old boy coping with the death of his parents while isolated on his uncle's farm, escaping into fantasy games with retired hockey pro Jimmy Lebeuf. The book memorably launched the Essex County trilogy by winning the American Library Association's prestigious Alex Award (and instantly selling out its first printing). Essex County would go on to win the Doug Wright Award, the Joe Shuster Award, and a top 5 spot (and the People's Choice Award) on Canada Reads' Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade. Originally published in three parts, it's now available as a single 512-page volume.

You can meet Jeff in person at his summer convention appearances: he'll be in the Top Shelf booth at both the Calgary Entertainment Expo (June 17-19) and the San Diego Comic-Con (July 21-24). Hope to see you all there!