You're probably used to the standard "Chosen One" trope. A farm boy finds a sword, talks to a wizard, and realizes he’s the only person who can save the universe. It’s a classic for a reason. But what if that same kid finds out he’s destined to be the monster? That’s the core of Dark One Brandon Sanderson, a project that has lived in the back of Sanderson’s mind for well over a decade. It isn't just one book. It’s a multimedia hydra involving graphic novels, audio dramas, and a novelization that’s been through more revisions than most authors have finished books.
Honestly, the history of this project is a bit of a mess, but in the most fascinating way possible. It started as a pitch for a TV show. Then it was going to be a young adult series. At one point, it was even firmly tucked inside the Cosmere. Eventually, Brandon realized the story worked better if it stayed in its own corner of the multiverse. He wanted to deconstruct the Hero’s Journey by making the protagonist, Paul Tanasin, the prophesied "Dark One" of a world called Mirandus.
What is Dark One Brandon Sanderson actually about?
Paul Tanasin is a teenager in New York who sees things. Hallucinations, his doctors call them. Visions of a dark, jagged world that doesn't exist. Except it does. Mirandus is a place where "The Narrative" is law. In this world, prophecies aren't just guesses; they are instructions. And those instructions say Paul is going to grow up to be the ultimate tyrant who destroys everything.
The people of Mirandus aren't just waiting for him to arrive so they can serve him. They want him dead. They’re sending assassins to Earth to kill a kid who hasn't even done anything wrong yet. It’s basically "What if you found out you were destined to be Voldemort before you even went to Hogwarts?" This duality—the struggle between who Paul is and who the world says he must become—is what makes Dark One Brandon Sanderson stand out from his more traditional high-fantasy epics.
The Graphic Novel: Volume One
In 2021, we finally got the first tangible piece of this world with the graphic novel published by Vault Comics. It was a collaboration with Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and artist Nathan Gooden. The art is striking. It uses a specific color palette to distinguish between the gritty, muted tones of New York and the vibrant, often terrifying landscape of Mirandus.
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You’ve got two main threads here:
- Paul’s discovery of Mirandus and his reluctant rise to power.
- His mother, Lin, an attorney in New York who finds herself entangled in a supernatural murder case that links back to her son’s "hallucinations."
It’s dark. Like, darker than your average Mistborn book. There’s a certain weight to the violence and the psychological toll on Paul that feels more visceral because you can see it on the page.
The Audio Drama: Dark One: Forgotten
If you haven't listened to Dark One: Forgotten, you’re missing the best part of this universe. Released in early 2023, this isn't just an audiobook. It’s a full-cast audio production framed as a true-crime podcast. It follows a girl named Christina Walsh who is investigating "forgotten" people—victims of murders that everyone, including the police and the victims' own families, has completely forgotten ever existed.
It’s a masterclass in tension. It was co-written by Dan Wells, who is a genius at horror and suspense. The connection to the main Dark One Brandon Sanderson story is subtle at first, but it eventually reveals how the magic of Mirandus leaks into our world. It turns out that when the "Dark One" kills someone, or when certain artifacts are used, the world itself tries to heal the wound by erasing the memory of the person. It’s a terrifying concept.
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Where is the Dark One novel?
This is the question that keeps fans up at night. For years, there has been talk of a prose novelization. Brandon actually wrote a significant portion of an outline for this years ago. However, his schedule is—to put it mildly—insane.
As of early 2026, the status of the Dark One Brandon Sanderson novel is finally seeing some movement. Dan Wells, who is now the Vice President of Narrative at Dragonsteel, has been the primary force behind the prose version. The plan has shifted multiple times. Originally, it was going to follow the graphic novel closely. Then, Dan realized the story needed to be its own thing to work as a book.
Currently, the novelization is being reworked to integrate the characters from the Forgotten audio series. This means Christina Walsh will likely play a much bigger role in the main story. It’s a smart move. It bridges the gap between the "real world" mystery and the high-fantasy madness of Mirandus. We're looking at a potential release window in late 2026 or 2027, depending on how the Mistborn Era 3 (Ghostbloods) schedule shakes out.
The TV Show and the Future
The Fremantle TV deal is still one of those "in development" mysteries. Brandon has been vocal about his frustrations with how Hollywood handles fantasy lately. He’s seen The Wheel of Time and The Rings of Power receive mixed reactions, and he's been very protective of his own IPs.
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He wants creative control.
Plain and simple.
Because Dark One Brandon Sanderson started as a TV pitch, the structure is already there. But don't expect a trailer anytime soon. Brandon is focused on getting the books right first. He’s learned that if the source material is bulletproof, the adaptation has a better chance of surviving the "Hollywood meat grinder."
Misconceptions to clear up
- Is it Cosmere? No. Earth exists in this story. That’s an immediate disqualifier for the Cosmere.
- Is it finished? Not even close. Volume 2 of the graphic novel has been "in the works" for ages, and the prose novel is still in the oven.
- Is it for kids? It’s definitely more "New Adult." It’s grittier than Skyward but not quite as grimdark as Joe Abercrombie.
How to experience it right now
If you're new to this, don't just jump into the graphic novel. Start with Dark One: Forgotten. The "true crime" format is a great hook, and it makes the eventual reveal of the fantasy elements feel much more earned. Plus, the voice acting is top-tier.
Once you've done that, grab the graphic novel. It will give you the visual context for Mirandus that the audio drama leaves to your imagination. By the time the actual novel drops, you’ll be fully caught up on the lore of "The Narrative" and the tragic fate of Paul Tanasin.
Keep an eye on the weekly Dragonsteel updates. Brandon and Dan usually drop hints about their progress every few months. It’s a slow burn, but for a story about the world's greatest villain, a little anticipation only adds to the atmosphere.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should check the official Dragonsteel website for any surprise announcements regarding the Volume 2 graphic novel release date, as these often appear in the "State of the Sanderson" blog posts before anywhere else. You might also want to re-listen to the final episode of Forgotten, as several clues about the upcoming novel's protagonist are buried in the background audio of the "podcast" segments.