Powers, the indie comic from Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, is getting a new life on screen. Netflix is developing an adult animated adaptation of the long-running series.
Dark Horse Entertainment’s Keith Goldberg and Chris Tongue will executive produce.
Bendis and Oeming are directly involved in the project. Bendis is writing the pilot. Oeming is working on the show’s visual development.
Their hands-on role signals a close adaptation of the source material.
A Superhero Crime Story
Powers blends superhero action with police drama. The story follows Chicago homicide detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim. They investigate crimes tied to superhuman abilities.
The concept helped the series stand out when it first launched.
A Comic with a Long Legacy
The title began as an independent comic before moving to Image Comics in the early 2000s. It quickly earned critical acclaim.
The series won the Eisner Award for Best New Series in 2001. Bendis won Best Writer in both 2002 and 2003.
The book later shifted to Icon, Marvel’s creator-owned imprint, during Bendis’ Ultimate Spider-Man run. Today, Powers continues at Dark Horse with a limited series tied to its 25th anniversary.
A Previous Screen Adaptation
This is not Powers’ first time on screen. The comic was adapted into a live-action series for the PlayStation Network in the mid-2010s. After the demise of the Playstation Network, Sony moved the series to its Crackle streaming service. Sharlto Copley and Susan Heyward starred in the show. It ran for two seasons as part of Sony’s push into original programming.
Adult Animation Continues to Surge
Streaming platforms continue to invest heavily in adult animation. The genre has delivered strong results across services.
Invincible, based on Robert Kirkman’s comic, ranks among the top three most-watched shows on Prime Video. Netflix also continues to expand its lineup with both dramatic and comedic entries, including Devil May Cry season two and Bass x Machina from Bryan Tyree Henry.
Bendis Expands His Hollywood Footprint
Powers marks another Hollywood project for Bendis. His crime graphic novel Torso is also in development at Netflix. Zach Cregger, known for Weapons, is attached as a producer.
Dark Horse Builds Momentum
Dark Horse continues to grow its presence in film and television. The company recently premiered Kill Me at SXSW. The dark comedy mystery stars Charlie Day, Allison Williams, and Giancarlo Esposito. It currently holds a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With Powers heading to Netflix, the publisher adds another major adaptation to its slate.
