Photo: Warner Brothers

On Wednesday, HBO announced that it has formally green-lit a pilot for the long-rumored Damon Lindelof adaptation of the iconic Watchmen comic-book series. The news came a day after Lindelof posted a picture on Instagram of what appears to be a writers room with the caption “Day One,” implying he had begun work on the series.

Two years ago, it was reported that Zack Snyder was developing a TV series for HBO based on the graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. He was the likely choice — if not the most exciting one — to spearhead a small-screen adaptation, since he also directed the feature film from 2009. Clearly nothing came of that news, since it’s 2017 and there’s still no Snyder-led Watchmen effort to binge-watch. But then, back in June, it was reported that Damon Lindelof would get a go at the infamously “unadaptable” project for HBO. That announcement could have just as easily turned to vaporware, but Lindelof’s social-media post offered a beacon of hope to fans.

The object in the photo is apparently a re-creation of a trophy that was given to the first Nite Owl in Watchmen when he retired from the superhero business. (He goes on to open an auto shop and write a memoir, which is a real change of pace.) If Lindelof is only on day one, we are still a long way from welcoming the Watchmen back into our homes — but if there’s anyone who could delight in the puzzle that is putting these pages to screen, it’s the guy who brought us The Leftovers.

September 20, 2017, 8 p.m.: This post has been updated to include HBO’s announcement.