Bendis & Oeming’s ‘Powers’ Adaptation Finds a New Home

Hot damn, there’s fresh news about the Powers adaptation! For those not in the know (go read it NOW): Powers is a superb Image/Icon comic book series, co-created by Brian Micheal Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, about Chicago detectives who investigate superhero crimes. This genre-bending comic is so excellently written and illustrated that it was only a matter of time until someone realized it would be a perfect candidate for adaption into a live-action series. FX initially stepped up to the plate, a pilot episode was shot… And then Powers was condemned to a limbo that would make even Dante shake his fist in frustration. To the dismay of fans, FX decided to recast and reshoot Powers (as I reported, and to my delight was even reprinted, in Powers Vol. 3, Issue 10). All the while, Brian Michael Bendis remained confident and assured us things were moving ahead; but still we all waited with bated breath. And waited… At one point he even said that if Powers never found a real home, he would bring the damned original pilot on tour and screen it to audiences himself at comic conventions. And still we waited as our hope waned …

Now it appears Powers has found a new (and somewhat surprising) home. The world will finally get to see detectives, Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, in all their live-action glory. THR has confirmed that Powers has been picked up by Sony’s PlayStation Network! THR reports:

“The Sony-owned gaming console will recast the entire project with writer Charlie Huston stepping in for Charles Eglee. Circle of Confusion will return to executive produce alongside co-creators Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. Michael Dinner will remain on board as an EP and director. Huston and Falling Skies’ Remi Aubuchon will exec produce, with Bendis and Huston set as showrunners. Circle of Confusion’s David Engel, David Alpert, and Lawrence Mattis will oversee for the company, which also produces AMC’s comics adaptation of The Walking Dead.”

Airing on PlayStation Network might initially seem like a downgrade from FX, but I’m not so sure it is. Recent Netflix hits like Orange is the New Black, and House of Cards have found great traction off the beaten track of cable network television, opening the door for more innovative programming through non-traditional venues. I’m not sure what the reported troubles FX ran into developing a series that is not only brilliant, but already storyboarded right there in the comic books (I’m guessing a lack of budget commitment or spine). It is also quite encouraging that Powers co-creator, Bendis, has been named a showrunner. This move shows a bold new direction for Sony and might be an indicator of exciting things to come. For now we’ll just have to wait and see again, but this scenario might ultimately prove to be even better for Powers. Keep your fingers crossed.