Deathlands

Underground nuclear bombs were detonated from within the basement of the Soviet embassy, by an elite group of Spetsnaz operatives, destroying the central command structure and political system of the United States.

Nearly a century later, civilization begun to reappear, albeit brutal, short lived, morally confused, and crazed from mutation.

Life is a strange mixture of ancient history and limited technology scavenged from the twentieth century.

Ryan has extremely secret knowledge of the 20th century — the understanding of hidden underground complexes, known as redoubts, that contains teleportation technology.

If the situation is impossible or hostile, the companions can use the transporter's "last destination" feature to return to the sending point.

Over the course of the series, Ryan Cawdor and his band have fought and defeated countless power-mad villains, and most died within one book.

Another notable group are the mutants- humanoid beings that have adapted and gained inhuman powers, psionic and otherwise, due to radiation exposure and natural selection.

All other Deathlands novels have been written by a number of other authors, including Mark Ellis who produced the first post-Laurence James entry, Stoneface.

In January 2024, a ten-part television series adaptation to be directed by Jonathan Frakes was announced.

As of February 2025, the Axlerverse consists of 234 stories (The Trader 1–3, Deathlands 0-155, and Outlanders 1-75), not including the 2003 television film.

The adaptations have an average running time of nearly 8 hours, and utilizes a full cast, score, and sound effects.

The Deathlands Graphic Audio series continued from the events of the books' end, with the first completely original story, Survival in Doubt, released in Fall 2016.

Outlanders provides a more expansive and complete backstory for the "Axlerverse" and the causes for the nuclear holocaust rather than relying on the "US vs. USSR" template.