Tattle: Local comic producer Zenescope has Van Helsing character in successful hunt for TV series

AS TATTLE has been following the comics of Horsham-based Zenescope Entertainment since we met founders Ralph Tedesco and Joe Brusha at a comic-book convention years ago, we were excited to learn last fall that the company's Van Helsing character was getting her own TV show, which was confirmed through imdb.com.

More impressive, filmmaker/playwright Neil LaBute (The Company of Men, Nurse Betty) is the show's writer/showrunner and Kelly Overton (Legends, True Blood) is set to star. The hourlong show will debut in the fall on Syfy.

Reached for comment, all Tedesco would say was, "Van Helsing is one of our more popular comic-book characters. That's because she's a tough-as-nails vampire hunter who happens to be the daughter of Abraham Van Helsing. And while I can't yet confirm the degree of our involvement in the TV series, we're extremely excited for what should shape up to be a fantastic show."

Disney star Debby Ryan (Jessie) was driving in L.A. last week about 11 p.m., TMZ.com reoported, when her new Audi slammed into a Mercedes.

Ryan's field sobriety test didn't go too well so she was arrested for felony DUI. The felony charge kicked in because the other driver claimed an injury.

TMZ says police later bumped the DUI back down to a misdemeanor because she was only three-tenths over the .08 legal limit and the injury was minor.

She's out on $100,000 bail.

Wednesday afternoon, the 22-year-old tweeted, "Over the last few days I have had the chance to think about my actions, and I wish I had used better judgment. I recognize that I am a role model and have always worked hard to set a good example for my millions of fans. I am so sorry to disappoint everyone."

Tattle will only say the same thing we say every time this happens to a bold-faced name: If you can afford an Audi and you can afford $100K in bail, you can afford a taxi.

It's only a little more than two weeks until President Obama's final White House Correspondents' dinner (at least as president) and the Washington Post has been nice enough to compile a list of some of the celebs who've gotten invites.

USA Today is bringing Kendall Jenner, Miles Teller, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Rosario Dawson and Neve Campbell.

Thomson Reuters has invited Michael Kelly (House of Cards, fittingly, has a presence), Ilana Glazer and Wayne's Abbi Jacobson, Michelle Dockery, and footballers Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr.

Atlantic Media will show up with USA Soccer goalie Hope Solo and actor Josh Stamberg.

And since NBC seems to bringing everybody in their News Division, the network is also bringing Blindspot actress Jaimie Alexander to divert attention.

* Thewrap.com reports that Ringo Starr has canceled his June concert in North Carolina in protest of the state's anti-gay law HB2.

"I'm sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred," Ringo said. "Spread peace and love."

* A California judge on Wednesday voided the sale of a former Catholic convent to a Los Angeles businesswoman, clearing the way for Katy Perry to purchase it.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Bowick ruled that attempts to sell the property to the businesswoman by members of an order of nuns were improper.

Perry has sought to buy the hilltop property in the Los Feliz neighborhood for $14.5 million and to move an adjoining house of prayer used by priests. Her bid would have to be approved by the Vatican.

Her efforts were stymied when some members of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary opted to sell the convent to entrepreneur Dana Hollister.

Hollister recorded a deed on the property, but Bowick's ruling rescinds it.

Now that Katy's dating Orlando Bloom, the nuns are cool. He's dreamy.

- Daily News wire services contributed to this report.

gensleh@phillynews.com

215-854-5678 @DNTattle