Hot off the comics press: The Powers that be

You win some, you lose some and American network bosses are always prepared to throw the proverbial dice on another comic book adaptation - and for every lucky number seven you may win big with a smash hit like The Walking Dead on AMC. Though Lady Luck isn’t always so kind and for every big win there is the chance of crapping out, as we see the failure of two more superhero shows Stateside in The Cape and No Ordinary Family. Never ones to be deterred by a losing streak, there is a new greenlight flashing over at the US FX channel: Brian Michael Bendis’ Powers.

Bendis confirmed via his Twitter: “It’s official! Your window of reading Powers while it was still cool is running out.” So if you do want to be (just) ahead of the curve, it's time to pick up those Powers graphic novels and pretend that you were there from the beginning. The story centres around the usual superhuman premise that Heores are soaring gracefully through the skies and villains plot daring robberies, but Powers asks the question: just where are the Police during all the commotion? The books tackle this often overlooked point of view as the lead character Detective Christian Walker solves crimes by the book, in a world where no one plays by the rules. Investigating superhero homicides and uncovering the seedier side of the superhero life in this cops and capes drama.

Originally written by Bendis, who is Marvel's own crossover king (House of M and Secret Invasion), the Pilot of Powers has been adapted by Charles H. Eglee, a script writer who resigned from The Walking Dead to pursue this project. With some seriously solid credentials in the writing department, the foundation for a success akin to The Walking Dead has been laid. As casting begins shortly stay tuned to see how this latest comic book venture fairs.

Powers #7 was released 2 March and is available at all good stockists.