For over two decades, The Venture Bros. has quietly amassed a fiercely loyal cult following, thanks to its sharp satire and intricate mythology. But despite its dedicated fanbase, the show never broke into the mainstream, partly due to its notoriously long gaps between seasons. Over 17 years, only seven seasons aired, leaving many storylines unresolved when Adult Swim abruptly canceled the series in September 2018.
To give fans closure, the network greenlit the 2023 movie Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart, which wrapped up the series' central narrative. But even as that film was in the works, creator Jackson Publick and his longtime collaborator Doc Hammer were already dreaming up new adventures in the same universe—specifically, a spinoff centered on the fan-favorite trio known as the Order of the Triad.
Now, Publick has taken to Instagram to reveal that this spinoff, which he and Hammer had discussed for years, was ultimately rejected. In his post, he shared artwork featuring Dr. Byron Orpheus, Jefferson Twilight, and The Alchemist—the three mystical heroes who made up the Order—alongside the somber news that the project was “not to be.” While it's unclear whether a full pitch was ever formally presented, Publick's announcement confirms that the idea never advanced beyond early development.
For longtime fans, the potential of an Order of the Triad spinoff was always tantalizing. The characters were introduced in the Season 2 episode “Fallen Arches” (2006), where Orpheus reunites with his old teammates after finally being approved for an arch-enemy by the Guild of Calamitous Intent. The episode hinted at their shared history as a superhero team, and their dynamic—mixing occult mysticism, vampire hunting, and alchemical wit—seemed tailor-made for its own series.
Publick and Hammer had openly expressed interest in exploring these characters as far back as a 2013 interview with Wired, where they named the Order among their preferred spinoff candidates. So this wasn't a last-ditch effort to keep the franchise alive; it was the culmination of an idea they'd cherished for over a decade. The rejection marks a bittersweet end to what could have been a rich expansion of the Venture Bros. universe.
While the spinoff may never see the light of day, fans can still revisit the original series, which remains available on YouTube TV and for free on the Adult Swim website (with ads). And for those hungry for more animated adventures, there's always the best animated films of the 2020s to explore.
As for the future of The Venture Bros. franchise, Publick's recent comments suggest that the door isn't entirely closed—but for now, the Order of the Triad's solo outing is officially off the table. Fans will have to content themselves with the rich legacy of the original show and the hope that, someday, the Guild of Calamitous Intent might approve another mission.
