By Jason Savio
With the introduction of digital downloads, the music industry has seen hard-copy record sales become a shadow of its former self as online outlets like iTunes have taken over. Now, the comic book industry is making the transition from tangible to technological. One of the comics to hit the growing online collection is “Adults Only,” based on the hit live-action comedy web series of the same name.
Written, directed, and produced by Attleboro native and comic book writer Jason Burns, “Adults Only” is about a down on his luck former Olympic athlete who finds himself having to work in his brother-in-law’s adult video store in order to make ends-meet.
Shot in North Attleboro and Mansfield, “Adults Only” is the first foray into film for Burns’ digital production company, Plymouth Rock Creative (Read our article about the premier of PRC’s “Adults Only” at www.thepulsemag.com/wordpress/2012/03/03-12-massachusetts%e2%80%99-plymouth-rock-creative-premiers-new-web-tv-comedy-with-big-name-talent).
Because of the initial success of the “Adults Only” web series and the potential for a second season, Burns decided to go back to his comic book background ~ which includes work on popular titles such as the “Shrek” and “Kung-Fu Panda” comics ~ to fill the gap in between the two seasons.
“What happened with the comic book was just sort of a surprise. There was interest in doing it as a one-shot to sort of follow what happened with the characters in between the first season and what would become the second season,” said Burns when we had a chance to talk.
While some older collectors may balk at the idea of digital comics, Burns understands that in order to be successful in today’s comic industry, you don’t have much of a choice.
“I do think [printed comics] will be obsolete. Not because the fans won’t want them, just because it will be impossible for the publishers to produce them,” predicted Burns. “The digital space cuts the budgets of a book greatly and allows the publishers to create more content.”
The digital comic will be released through Ape Entertainment and Iverse comics and available to download this July. An exclusive print version of the “Adults Only” digital comic will also be available, but only at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con with Burns himself there to hand them out.
For more info visit:www.plymouthrockip.com.
Photo: Jason Burns