Netflix Reviving 'Powers' Comic as Animated Series

Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Oeming's superhero police procedural gets another adaptation.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:25pm

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After a previous live-action adaptation on PlayStation Network, the comic book series "Powers" is being revived as an animated series for Netflix. Series creators Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Oeming are involved, with Bendis writing the pilot and Oeming handling the visual development. The series, which follows Chicago cops investigating cases involving superpowered individuals, originally launched in 2000 and is now celebrating its 25th anniversary with a new 12-issue miniseries.

Why it matters

The revival of "Powers" as an animated series on Netflix highlights the growing popularity of adult-oriented superhero stories, especially those adapted from independent comic books. This comes as Netflix has found success with other comic book adaptations like "Invincible" and "Super Crooks", signaling a shift towards more diverse superhero narratives beyond the traditional Marvel and DC universes.

The details

The original "Powers" comic book series was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Oeming and first launched in 2000. It follows the adventures of Chicago police detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim as they investigate cases involving superpowered individuals. The series previously had a live-action adaptation that ran for two seasons on the PlayStation Network in 2015. This new animated adaptation for Netflix will see Bendis writing the pilot episode and Oeming overseeing the visual development of the show.

  • The original "Powers" comic book series launched in 2000.
  • A live-action adaptation of "Powers" aired for two seasons on the PlayStation Network in 2015.
  • In 2025, a new 12-issue "Powers 25" miniseries was launched to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the comic.
  • The animated Netflix adaptation of "Powers" is expected to debut in the coming years.

The players

Brian Michael Bendis

The co-creator of the "Powers" comic book series, who is writing the pilot episode for the Netflix animated adaptation.

Michael Oeming

The co-creator of the "Powers" comic book series, who is overseeing the visual development of the Netflix animated adaptation.

Netflix

The streaming platform that is producing the new animated adaptation of "Powers".

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What’s next

The animated Netflix adaptation of "Powers" is expected to debut in the coming years, though an exact release date has not been announced.

The takeaway

The revival of the "Powers" comic book series as an animated Netflix adaptation signals the continued growth of adult-oriented superhero stories beyond the traditional Marvel and DC universes. This trend towards more diverse superhero narratives reflects the evolving tastes of audiences seeking deeper, more complex superhero tales.