Stranger Things Returns To Hawkins For 6 Episode Spinoff, And It's Not Releasing On Netflix

Published Jul 28, 2026, 11:50 PM EDT An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com. His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023. The world of Stranger Things kept Netflix subscribers sufficiently entertained for five seasons, making massive stars out of much of its cast and revitalizing the careers of various veterans on the roster. The show continues to be a massive streaming hit to the point where, despite its final episode releasing in 2025, the ripple effects of its New Year's finale are still being felt after the first half of 2026. But still, for those hungry for more stories beyond what they saw on the Netflix series, there are more options out there, and have been for years at this point. One particular case, courtesy of Dark Horse Comics and now coming to Webtoon, is the next major spinoff story. Stranger Things: SIX is set to be the next miniseries compiled in Webtoon's corresponding collection for readers to enjoy. Much like how MAKMA Studio reformatted the series for vertical scrolling with Stranger Things: The Other Side, this next installment, first released in print on May 29, 2019, with a later release on Globalcomix, now readers can enjoy the series on the world's largest webcomic platform in the process. A dark, original tale which was sadly retconned in the main continuity, Stranger Things: SIX tells a brief yet superior story of a Hawkins Lab test subject, her time cooperating with Dr. Brenner, and her ultimate fate. Stranger Things' Next Returning Spinoff Is The Next Major Story Hitting Webtoon Already teased due to the synopsis for Webtoon's version of the Stranger Things comics being that for Francine, aka the star of Stranger Things: SIX, the latest story will take a significantly dark turn from the more familiar, yet intimate glimpse into Will Byers' story. The series follows Francine, a teenager brought into Hawkins Lab due to her unique powers of precognition, letting her see, and potentially alter, the future. Recruited by Dr. Brenner, the series explores Francine's connection as a young adult, rather than children like Eleven, with his exploitation resulting in Francine's premonitions growing darker, twisting visions of the future with Demogorgons features, further worsening her trauma while in captivity. Stranger Things: SIX's creative team is listed as follows: Script/Writer: Jody Houser Pencils/Artwork: Edgar Salazar Inks: Keith Champagne Colors: Lauren Affe It's here that Francine, now known as Six, bonds with other test subjects, including Three, aka Ricky, who was once romantically involved with Francine. However, his powers of emotional manipulation, in addition to being instrumental in getting Francine to Hawkins Lab, was a significant source of strain in their relationship, seemingly only repaired by their mutual desire to eventually escape. The series is certainly more bleak and visually intense than the previous installments for Webtoon readers, but it offers an arguably far better experience than what viewers were treated to with the Hawkins Lab test subjects, diving into the fateful events of an alternate 1978. Netflix's Stranger Things Retconned Francine & Ricky To Become Fodder While the comics are certainly an engaging way to experience the story, they were not treated as canon by the Duffer Brothers, thus making Stranger Things season 4 and beyond somewhat disappointing. While Eleven, Eight, and One got far more substantial screentime, other subjects were rewritten and retconned to be far different with comparatively nonexistent backstories, with drastically different casting choices. Three's powers were painted over with more bland telekinesis, with him and Six massacred in 1979, not even lining up with the fates of either character in the comic. This isn't to say the Netflix series shouldn't have taken this approach, but it could have certainly executed it better. But, since the dust has settled following the Stranger Things finale, especially for those left wanting more from the drawn-out fifth season, these comics present a fascinating alternative continuity. Characters react differently depending on their age and personal struggles while at Hawkins Lab, and make calculated, yet innately devastating choices to protect others whom they want to help. This particular story was also immediately followed by Stranger Things: Into the Fire, in which these escaped subjects try to live a normal life while Hawkins Lab is being shut down. It was never strictly canon, but Stranger Things' spinoffs remain an engaging read, with some truly striking moments that would have fit in perfectly if season 4 had taken a different direction. Fans can read the latest episodes of the Stranger Things webcomic with new installments uploaded every Thursday on WEBTOON.