Posted by Jonathan Klotz | Published
Comics haven’t been just for kids for a long time, if ever, but the general public has had the idea that they are primarily superhero stories about good and evil and everything is resolved by fighting. There’s a whole world of comics out there that are different, but crossing the line between noir mysteries and cape-filled superheroes Power by Brian Michael Bendis.
The award-winning series follows two Chicago homicide detectives who investigate the deaths of “powers” (heroes). It’s a police procedural mixed with superheroes, and Netflix is making an animated series out of it, finally giving fans the adaptation they’ve been wanting for 25 years.
One of the Best Crime Comics Ever Published
Power starts with the song “Who Killed Retro Girl?” story arc, which introduces the detectives, rookie Deena Pilgrim and veteran Christian Walker, both of whom have connections to the power society that gradually emerges in the series. The blonde bombshell Retro Girl was one of the most popular heroes, which means that the list of suspects is long, from evil people to those who are jealous of her success. It’s a classic noir story full of red herrings, and it slowly peels back the layers of Bendis’ superhero universe, with each new revelation bringing even more questions.
The second arc, “Roleplay,” features a college LARP (live-action roleplaying) club where, of course, the members are killed one by one. It’s not as good as the first arc, but that’s a testament to the quality of the first murder mystery over the second. Whatever the story is, it looks amazing thanks to the artwork of Michael Avon Oeming, with great characters, bright colors, and a noir story by evoking the classic comics of the 1930s.
Second Power Charm
Netflix option to deliver Power in the service as an animated series makes sense not only because of the success Amazon has had Invincibleanother superhero series, but Sony’s 2015 live-action Power The series was a complete disaster. Starring Sharlto Copley as Walker, the show was the first original series for the PlayStation Network. If you forgot PSN ever had original shows, don’t worry, everyone forgot this happened despite the show airing for two full seasons.
At this time, Power it’s handled properly, and the move to animation means it will, hopefully, be closer to the source. Invincible proved that there is an audience for adult animated superhero shows. It remains to be seen if there is an equally large audience for the new Netflix show, which is more police procedural than action epic.
In September 2025, Power is back for a new 12-issue run, proving that there is at least an audience of comic readers out there who are anxious for more adventures in the original Bendis universe. Advertising “from the creator of Miles Morales and Jessica Jones” will be more popular in 2026 than it was in 2015. It remains to be seen if Netflix can pull it off, with no release date announced, but that’s fine, it gives you more time to hunt down the collected shows and enjoy one of the best crime comedies of all time.
