CW has announced a pickup for Reaper, a comedy-drama about a slacker who becomes a bounty hunter for the Devil, reports Variety. Michele Fazekas (The X-Files, Law and Order: SVU, Ed) and Tara Butters (Law and Order: SVU, Ed) wrote the project and will executive produce the series.

CW faces challenges not seen by the four major networks. Formed last year in a merger between WB and UPN, the network has straddled the line with the most successful programs from both defunct parents. Genre darlings such as Supernatural and Smallville have touched a core audience interested in the same Dawson's Creek-meets-The Outer Limits feel pioneered by Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which appeared on both parent networks). Reaper, should it see the light of day, has the potential pedigree to make it the next in line as Smallville ages far past its "Teenaged Superman" concept and Supernatural struggles for renewal.