'Powers' Creator Gives TV Update, Signs Book Deal

As has been the case for more than a decade, everything's coming up Brian Michael Bendis.

The long-time Marvel Comics scribe just signed a deal to to write his first book, according to The Hollywood Reporter, due for release in 2013. "Words for Pictures: The Art and Business of Graphic Novels," as it's called, will give advice on how to break into the comic book industry, with a helping hand from some of Bendis's successful colleagues.

Keep reading for more details on that, plus a quick "Powers" TV show update.

"It would be nice to just hand them a book and go 'Here is everything I would tell you if we were hanging out,'" Bendis said about being approached by aspiring comic writers looking for advice. Ergo, "Words for Pictures," which will span across the spectrum of approaches to comic book writing, from the casual freestyle of the "Marvel style," in which the script is completed after the artwork, to the hyper-detailed scripting of heady authors like Alan Moore. Bendis said he plans to include a number of writing theories from his peers, so that readers can decide what fits them best.

Other topics will include how to manage your business, how to protect your copyrights, and additional material related to the more technical, career-minded side of the business. He'll even be allowed to use official Marvel Comics artwork -- a small price for the House of M to pay, considering how much money he's brought them as their number one guy.

Bendis has long been a "controversial" writer, for the way he's conformed Marvel continuity into a more modern vision for how the characters should look. But there's no denying he's incredibly successful, and that he knows how to approach a variety of genres and characters while retaining his idiosyncratic voice -- a versatility that would well serve any wannabe.

That wasn't all for the good news. The long-awaited "Powers" TV show, which we've written about here and there, is apparently closer and closer to making some kind of public debut.

"The pilot is done, and based on the strength of that, FX has ordered more scripts," Bendis told The Oregonian. "Slowly, but surely, we're moving forward. It's not on the air, but any movement is good in television, so it's a good sign."

Onward and upwards, Master Brian. Keep your eyes peeled for both projects.