AudioComics Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Audio production, Audio drama |
| Predecessor | Play it by Ear Productions |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | William Dufris (co-founder, producer), Lance Roger Axt (co-founder, producer), Elaine Lee (co-producer) |
| Products | Full-cast audio dramas, audio adaptations of comic books and graphic novels |
| Website | audiocomicscompany |
AudioComics Company is a specialized audio production enterprise focusing on the adaptation of comic books, graphic novels, and original narratives. Established in 2010 by producer and actor William Dufris alongside Lance Roger Axt, the firm later welcomed Elaine Lee as co-producer following their initial achievements. The company has earned acclaim within the industry for its immersive full-cast audio dramas, which incorporate sound effects and musical compositions to create a "cinematic" experience. Their work has garnered critical praise and accolades, securing their reputation as a significant entity in the audio drama sector.
Overview
AudioComics develops full-cast audio productions derived from licensed comic franchises and original genre fiction, distributing content through digital downloads and physical CDs. The company evolved from Play it by Ear Productions, an audio theatre group managed by Axt, drawing on the expertise of founders Dufris—recognized as the voice behind Bob The Builder—and Lee, who also serves as a writer and voice talent.
Their inaugural release was a 2010 audio rendition of the sci-fi parody Starstruck, authored by Elaine Lee with design by Michael Wm. Kaluta. This project’s success led to Lee joining the executive team alongside Dufris and Axt. Since then, AudioComics has broadened its catalog with adaptations such as Titanium Rain, Molly Danger, Perhapanauts, and Locke & Key. Additionally, they have revitalized classic pulp fiction characters like The Domino Lady and Honey West, thereby expanding their reach within genre fiction audiences.
The company has also ventured into adapting original literary works, including Tom Kirkbride's young adult series Gamadin and Jeffery Deaver's suspense thriller The Starling Project. This approach reflects a deliberate business strategy aimed at increasing market presence through diverse content offerings.
| Production | Writer | Audio Adaptation | Director | Composer | Producer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starstruck | Elaine Lee | Elaine Lee | William Dufris | Dwight Dixon | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2010 |
| Horrorscopes | Poe, Bradbury, Lovecraft, etc. | William Dufris | William Dufris | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt | 2011 | |
| Titanium Rain | Josh Finney | Josh Finney | William Dufris | Jonathan Sharp | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2012 |
| Honey West: Murder On Mars | Elaine Lee | Elaine Lee | William Dufris | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2012 | |
| The Domino Lady | Rich Harvey | Lance Roger Axt | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2012 | ||
| Battle For LA | C.J. Henderson | Lance Roger Axt | Lance Roger Axt | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2013 | |
| Molly Danger | Jamal Igle | Lance Roger Axt & Elaine Lee | William Dufris | Frankie Schulmyer | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2013 |
| Gamadin | Tom Kirkbride | Elaine Lee | William Dufris | Mind's Eye Productions | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2013 |
| Perhapanauts | Todd Dezago | Todd Dezago & Elaine Lee | William Dufris | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2013 | |
| The Starling Project | Jeffery Deaver | Jeffery Deaver | William Dufris | Shockwave | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2014 |
| Locke & Key | Joe Hill | Elaine Lee & Fred Greenhalgh | William Dufris | Peter Van Riet | William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Elaine Lee | 2015 |
| The X-Files: Cold Cases | Joe Harris | Dirk Maggs | William Dufris | Mark Snow | Dirk Maggs, William Dufris, Lance Roger Axt, Fred Greenhalgh | 2017 |
Prominent Contributors
William Dufris, known for his voice roles in Spider-Man and Bob the Builder, also lent his talents as a director, sound designer, and co-producer.
Lance Roger Axt, head of Play it by Ear Productions, has been involved in writing, directing, and co-producing efforts.
Elaine Lee, an Emmy-nominated performer and writer recognized for Starstruck and Galactic Girl Guides, contributed both as a writer and co-producer.
The cover art for various adaptations was crafted by illustrators Michael Wm. Kaluta and Lee Moyer.
Denise Poirier, the voice behind Æon Flux, portrayed the primary antagonist in the Starstruck audio drama.
Comics creator Jamal Igle (noted for Supergirl) produced artwork for the audio version of his original creation, Molly Danger.
Actor Alfred Molina (known from Raiders of the Lost Ark and Spider-Man 2) starred in Jeffery Deaver’s production of The Starling Project.
The audio adaptation of Locke & Key, inspired by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s horror comic series, featured notable performers such as Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), and Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager), attracting considerable media coverage.
| Contributor | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Elaine Lee | writer, co-producer, voice actor | 2010–2015 |
| Michael Wm. Kaluta | cover artist for Starstruck | 2010 |
| Denise Poirier | performer in Starstruck | 2010 |
| Brennan Lee Mulligan | performer in both Starstruck and Locke & Key | 2010 |
| Lee Moyer | cover artist for Honey West | 2012 |
| Mark Sporacio | cover artist for Battle For LA | 2013 |
| Jamal Igle | cover artist for Molly Danger | 2013 |
| Tym Stevens | cover artist for Gamadin | 2013 |
| Alfred Molina | performer in The Starling Project | 2014 |
| Haley Joel Osment | performer in Locke & Key | 2015 |
| Tatiana Maslany | performer in Locke & Key | 2015 |
| Kate Mulgrew | performer in Locke & Key | 2015 |
| Stephen King | uncredited cameo in Locke & Key | 2015 |
Accolades and Recognitions
Since its inception in 2010, The AudioComics Company has garnered numerous awards and nominations within the industry. Its production of Titanium Rain notably secured accolades in 2013. Additional productions such as Honey West, Perhapanauts, and The Starling Project have also received commendations.
| Award | Organization/Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audie Award | Audio Publishers Association/2013 | Best Audio Drama: Titanium Rain, Vol. 1 | Nominee |
| Audie Award | Audio Publishers Association/2013 | Best Original Work: Titanium Rain, Vol. 1 | Nominee |
| Silver Mark Time Award | American Society for Science Fiction Audio/2012 | Titanium Rain, Vol. 1 | Winner |
| Earphones Award | AudioFile Magazine/2013 | Titanium Rain, Vol. 1 | Winner |
| Communicator Award of Excellence in Audio | Communicator Awards/2014 | Honey West: Murder on Mars | Winner |
| Silver Ogle Award | American Society for Science Fiction Audio/2013 | Perhapanauts | Winner |
| Earphones Award | AudioFile Magazine/2014 | The Starling Project | Winner |
Critical response
The company's rendition of Molly Danger garnered acclaim for its compelling voice performances and engaging narrative, as noted by Major Spoilers and Geekquality, with particular commendation for lead actress Olivia DuFord.
The Starling Project earned praise from the Chicago Tribune for its sophisticated audio techniques and unique vocal portrayals, while AudioFile Magazine highlighted the production's cinematic approach to sound design.
Regarding the Locke & Key adaptation, Paste Magazine characterized it as "an immersive sonic experience," showcasing an elite ensemble cast including Kate Mulgrew and Tatiana Maslany. io9 referred to the work as "a stunning adaptation," and SFFaudio praised the impeccable casting and layered soundscape that enriched the graphic novel’s narrative.
These positive reviews underscore the company’s strategic emphasis on premium audio productions that utilize distinguished talent to strengthen their market position and competitive edge in the audio drama sector.