Prime video orders steampunk fantasy 'monstress' after wheel of time exit
Just as fans of The Wheel of Time are bracing for the show’s cancellation after its third season—with only the animated series and films offering a glimmer of hope—Prime Video is doubling down on fantasy, scooping up the acclaimed comic book series Monstress. The move signals a renewed commitment to the genre after Amazon's recent high-profile cuts.
A world of gears, spirits, and war
Monstress, a brainchild of writer Marjorie Liu and artist Sana Takeda, has amassed a fervent following since its debut in 2015 from Image Comics. The series transports viewers to a richly imagined world inspired by early 20th-century Asian countries, a setting steeped in steampunk aesthetics and embroiled in a brutal war between humans and supernatural beings known as Arcanes. The narrative isn’t merely a visual spectacle; it is a complex exploration of trauma, identity, and the dark side of power.
Steven Maeda, previously a showrunner for One Piece (he departed the Netflix series after Season 2, with Joe Tracz taking over), will co-showrun Monstress alongside Tiffany Greshler. Jason Brown, Ryan Stayton, Liu, and Takeda are also on board as executive producers, lending their expertise to ensure a faithful and compelling adaptation.
What makes monstress so special?
The series isn't just visually striking; it’s critically lauded. Boasting seven Eisner Awards, four Hugo Awards, and the 2018 Harvey Award for Book of the Year, Monstress has the pedigree to become a significant series for Prime Video—provided, of course, Amazon avoids repeating the mistakes that led to The Wheel of Time’s demise. The story centers on Maika Halfwolf, a young woman harboring a shocking secret: she is an Arcane trapped in a human form. A severed arm occasionally manifests with Zinn, a demon who wrestles for control of her body and mind, granting her formidable abilities.
Maika’s quest to uncover the truth about her deceased mother leads her to forge alliances with an unusual group: a mysterious “cat” named Ren, and Kippa, a young Arcane hybrid who’s part human, part fox. With ten volumes already published—the most recent arriving in 2025—the source material provides ample fodder for multiple seasons, assuming Prime Video realizes that fantasy, while demanding, can be a lucrative investment when handled with care. The initial cancellation of The Wheel of Time sent a chilling message, but Monstress offers a chance for redemption—and a captivating new world to explore.
The show’s success hinges on accurately portraying the intricate world-building and the nuanced character dynamics that have made the comics so beloved. The budget will need to reflect the ambition of the project, a lesson learned the hard way with The Wheel of Time.