The Powder Mage Series By Brian McClellan Is Getting A Television Adaptation

Adapting genre novels is all the rage these days, and today we have another title to add to the list of upcoming adaptations. Reports indicate that the bestselling Powder Mage series by author Brian McClellan has been picked up for a TV series. Dark Matter showrunner Joseph Mallozzi is onboard to adapt the series. He will start with the Promise of Blood, the first book of McClellan’s series. But what is the Powder Mage series about, and what can we expect from the upcoming adaptation? Let’s dig into this news to find out more.

An Epic Fantasy That Combines Magic and Gunpowder

Image via Orbit Books

The Powder Mage is an epic fantasy series set in a world heavily influenced by the Napoleonic era of Europe. The first novel opens after a successful coup that has taken down the corrupt monarchy. The three main characters of the trilogy work in different ways to maintain peace, and thwart conspiracies. The magic users of this world draw their power from gunpowder. They are able to metabolize it, and and use it to fuel various magical abilities.

If this sounds similar to the magical systems in other fantasy series like Mistborn, there might be a good reason for that. Brian McClellan was a student of fantasy author Brandon Sanderson (who wrote the Mistborn trilogy) once upon a time. So that means you can expect some detailed world building, and complex characters from the Powder Mage adaptation. McClellan will also be directly involved with the show’s production, working as both writer and producer for the upcoming series.

Promise of Blood is the first book of the Powder Mage trilogy. But the series continues far beyond the first three books. There is a sequel trilogy – Gods of Blood and Powder – that could also find its way into the narrative of the television adaptation. All of this of course depends on how successful the show is, and what network or streaming service it ends up on.

A Seasoned Sci-Fi Showrunner Will Be Involved

Image via Kickstarter

The adaptation of such a complex fantasy series seems to be in good hands with Joseph Mallozzi. The writer and producer has been involved in a number of modern day science fiction classics including various Stargate shows, and the cult hit Dark Matter. Most recently he worked on the dystopian Hulu drama Utopia Falls. It looks like he is also a fan of the books that he is adapting, which is always a good sign. In an statement, author Brian McClellan said the following about Mallozzi and fellow producer J.B. Sugar.

“What struck me about talking with J.B. and Joe wasn’t just their professionalism, but their fandom. They love the books, and that’s the biggest compliment an author can get. I’m absolutely thrilled that such a talented group will work to adapt Powder Mage to TV. I’m a huge admirer of Joe’s work, and I can’t wait to see what he does to bring this series to life.”

The Powder Mage series is set to be adapted by Canadian production company No Equal Entertainment, and Frantic Films. We look forward to learning more details on this series as it develops. To stay up to date, be sure to follow Comic Years on Facebook and Twitter today.

Emily O'Donnell is a writer and photographer with roots in some of the earliest online fandoms. She cut her genre teeth on the Wizard of Oz books at the tender age of 6 years old, and was reading epic adult fantasy novels by the age of 10. Decades later, she still consumes genre fiction like there is no tomorrow. She is delighted to be living through the golden age of sci-fi and fantasy popularity. She is unashamed of the amount of fanfiction that still lingers online under her name.