2004 - Humble Beginnings

Graphic Audio was founded by Mary and Jamie Cutting, owners of The Cutting Corporation. They were known for Spellbinder Tapes of Audio Dramas including Tom Sawyer, Wizard of Oz, and other well-known fairy tales that were licensed by Fisher-Price for their yellow cassette players. Their audio production facility began in 1971. In addition to recording audiobooks, they had an onsite manufacturing facility duplicating cassettes and compact discs. They also owned a sound preservation laboratory that restored audio from many rare analog audio formats.

Graphic Audio, led by Anji Cornette and a small, innovative crew of people including Duane Beeman, Richard Rohan, Nanette Savard and Terence Aselford, was launched in October 2004, publishing three titles per month, including James Axler’s Deathlands® and Outlanders® series. The publishing imprint was originally called "Cutting Audio", but it created the Graphic Audio format and changed the company name to Graphic Audio. Later that fall, the crew expanded to nine people, including Matt Webb, Nathanial Perry and others. The team was able to create and define the unique positions of Graphic Audio Creative Directors, Sound Designers, and Hybrid roles as well. The style of this new audiobook that this team created would evolve to feature dynamic audio storytelling with rich soundscapes, including cinematic music and sound effects, with a full cast of actors giving voice to the narration and dialogue. Both prose and graphic novels were adapted to be similar to a film script, but the Graphic Audio format was slightly abridged to make the story more engaging and allow the action to flow.

Taking advantage of new technology, Graphic Audio innovatively launched their e-commerce website. While most folks were hearing about illegal sharing on Napster, the team figured out how to sell WMAs with DRM and launched a website store. They also distributed cassettes and CDs exclusively through truck stop distributors, including Travel Centers of America, Pilot (which eventually became Pilot Flying J), and Love’s Country Store throughout the United States and Canada.

2005

Graphic Audio began publishing The Destroyer Action-Adventure series by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir (Directed by Nanette Savard). They also started producing and releasing Action-Adventure series by Don Pendleton such as Mack Bolan, The Executioner and Stony Man (Directed by Terence Aselford).

2006

Graphic Audio began publishing the Deathstalker Space Opera series by Simon R. Green (Directed by Richard Rohan) and popular Western audiobook series such as Eagles, The First Mountain Man and Smoke Jensen written by William W. Johnstone (Directed by Bob Supan). They were very popular on Audio CD format in the Truck Stops.

Graphic Audio licensed the screenplay of Snakes On A Plane and adapted it to a dramatized audiobook format. The production was Directed by Richard Rohan and recorded with a Full Cast led by Richard Rohan, Kenneth C. Jackson, Casey Jones, Colleen Delany, David Coyne, Nanette Savard, Terence Aselford, and Thomas Penny. Sound Design by Dan Smith, Chris Rohan, Bryan Patton and Nathanial Perry. Here’s an urban legend article that tells you the story behind why Graphic Audio decided to approach New Line Cinema for the rights and how one employee’s (Nathanial Perry) original words ended up in the movie. Read the article at CBR.com. Listen to the famous unofficial parody trailer (warning: profanity) made in their free time by Nathanial Perry and Chris Rohan the year before the film's release.

2007

As a result of the Snakes On A Plane deal, Graphic Audio licensed and published DC Comics’ Infinite Crisis (Audiofile Earphone Award Winner) and Justice League Of America series in their dramatized adaptations format with a full cast, narrator, cinematic music and sound effects. Read the Publisher’s Weekly article at web.archive.org

Graphic Audio began publishing the Rogue Angel fantasy adventure series by Alex Archer (Directed by Nanette Savard and starring Colleen Delany as Annja Creed). They also started popular post-apocalyptic series from the 1980s called Doomsday Warrior by Ryder Stacy (Directed by Dan Sondak and starring David Coyne as Ted Rockson) and The Survivalist by Jerry Ahern (Directed by Terence Aselford and starring Mort Shelby as John Thomas Rourke).

Matt Webb was promoted from the Sound Design crew to managing the Website, Sales, and Marketing for Graphic Audio in 2006, and they relaunched their e-commerce website in 2007 with a new design and introduced MP3 Downloads that could be played on any device.

2008

Graphic Audio dominated the truck stop chains with top-branded shelves across the country and in Canada. In the U.S., Graphic Audio was the third bestselling product in truck stop after chicken wings and cigarette lighters.

Graphic Audio produced popular science fiction series by author Elizabeth Moon such as Serrano Legacy and Vatta's War. These series were directed and narrated by Nanette Savard along with a full cast. Sound Design by Chris Rohan.

2009

Graphic Audio worked out a licensing deal with MARVEL Comics and released Civil War (Audie Nominated), Spider-Man and many other MARVEL titles.

Graphic Audio began working with author Brandon Sanderson and produced his Elantris and Warbreaker stories with a full cast, sound effects and music. Johann Dettweiler was the Director and Sound Designer of both titles.

2013

Graphic Audio launched a new Website and introduced the Graphic Audio Access App, where customers can stream or download to listen on their Android or Apple phones and tablets. The Website also added a Loyalty Reward Point system, new audio format options such as M4B and higher quality FLAC files, and other features.

Graphic Audio attended New York Comic Con with a large booth promoting their newest DC Comics and Marvel releases.

Graphic Audio mixed several titles in 5.1 Surround Sound including Spider-Man: Drowned In Thunder by Christopher L. Bennett (Sound Design by Patrick Stratton), Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (Sound Design by Nathanial Perry / Audie Nominated) and Cemetery Girl Trilogy by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden (Sound Design by Nathanial Perry). Cemetery Girl was the first graphic novel adaptation by the company and won an Audiofile Earphones Award.

2014

Graphic Audio began producing the Nekropolis series by Tim Waggoner. The series was Directed by Ken Jackson and recorded with a Full Cast led by Ken Jackson, Katy Carkuff, Eric Singdahlsen, David Coyne, Steve Wannall, Sherry Berg, Rose Supan, Mort Shelby, Richard Rohan, Bradley Smith, Matthew Schleigh, Jefferson A. Russelll, Nora Achrati, Colleen Delany, Jonathon Church and others. Sound Design by Justin Wortz.

2015

Gold Eagle made the decision to stop publishing the long-running Deathlands series by James Axler as well as several other series. Deathlands stopped at episode 125 and Rogue Angel at episode 57. Graphic Audio worked out a deal to continue writing original titles for both the Deathlands series and the Rogue Angel series by Alex Archer exclusively for the Graphic Audio format. Deathlands is now at episode 157, and Rogue Angel is up to episode 65. Graphic Audio's own Richard Rohan penned several episodes of Deathlands while Scott McCormick and Jillian Levine-Sisson wrote a couple of episodes of Rogue Angel.

Graphic Audio’s Rick Rohan adapted two Ms. MARVEL from graphic novels to Graphic Audio. Available at Audible. Sound Design by Nathanial Perry in 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo. A Video Trailer was created by Duane Beeman and was shown at San Diego Comic Con in front of hundreds of attendees.

Graphic Audio licenses and publishes a new, exclusively written series for them to produce by Chris Rohan and Karen Rohan called Playing Gods. This Sci-Fi Fantasy series was directed by Rick Rohan with Sound Design by Chris Rohan. Original art and animated video previews were created by Karen Rohan.

2016

Graphic Audio moved the studios and offices from Downtown Bethesda, Maryland to Rockville, Maryland.

Graphic Audio began producing The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The early titles in the series were Directed by Rose Elizabeth Supan and recorded with a Full Cast led by Dylan Lynch as Narrator, Robbie Gay as Kaladin Stormblessed, Casie Platt as Shallan Davar, Andy Clemence as Dalinar Kholin, Tim Getman as Adolin Kholin, Zoe Badovinac as Jasnah Kholin and Nora Achrati as Syl. Sound Design by Johann Dettweiler.

2017

Graphic Audio licenses and publishes a new series by their own Michael John Casey called Owl and Spencer. This western thriller series, exclusively written for Graphic Audio was directed by Michael John Casey with Sound Design by Patrick Stratton.

2018

MARVEL Avengers vs. X-Men was adapted from various comic books to present the full saga and released in a special 3D Audiobook format. The production was Directed by Richard Rohan and recorded with a Full Cast led by Richard Rohan as Narrator, Robbie Gay as Cyclops, James Keegan as Captain America, Jessica Lauren Ball as Hope Summers, Richard Cutting as Iron Man, Julie-Ann Elliott as Emma Frost, Michael Glenn as Namor, Nick DePinto as Colossus, David Coyne as Wolverine, Scott McCormick as Ben Grimm, Tim Getman as Spider-Man, Nora Achrati as the Scarlet Witch, Carolyn Kashner as Magik, Patrick Bussink as Iron Fist, Zeke Alton as the Black Panther, Eric Singdahlsen as Magneto, Richard Rohan as Charles Xavier, Dawn Ursula as Storm, Chris Genebach as Doctor Strange, Danny Gavigan as Hawkeye, Andy Brownstein as Beast, Eric Messner as Thor, Elizabeth Jernigan as Ms. Marvel, Tony Nam as Lei Kung, Bradley Smith as The Hulk, Christopher Scheeren as Vision, and Alejandro Ruiz as Nova. Sound Design by David Zitney and Mackubin Owens.

Graphic Audio released The Legends of the First Empire series by Michael J. Sullivan. The production was Directed by Terence Aselford with Sound Design by Casey Green.

Hard formats like CDs as a product had been rapidly declining, and without warning some chains were experiencing shifts which had a huge negative financial impact on the company. The Graphic Audio Team made tough decisions to survive this fast transition of losing this marketplace, and the Creative Director role was redefined again. It protected the jobs of many of the crew. Hard format continued to rapidly decline in the years to come.

2019

Graphic Audio released White Sand by Brandon Sanderson. The graphic novel series was Adapted from the comics / Directed by Scott McCormick and recorded with a Full Cast led by Terence Aselford as Narrator, Alexander Strain as Kenton, Dawn Ursula as Khriss, Jason B. McIntosh as Baon, Frank Britton as Cynder, Yasmin Tuazon as Ais, Holly Vagley as Judge Heelis, Peter Holdway as Praxton, Paul Reisman as Dirin, KenYatta Rogers as Acron, Bradley Smith as Aarik and Eric Messner as Elorin. Sound Design by Justin Wortz.

2020

RBmedia acquired Graphic Audio and expanded the distribution of their dramatized audiobooks to Audible, Apple, Google, Storytel, Kobo, Hoopla, Overdrive and many other platforms. RBmedia opened doors for Graphic Audio to have licensing deals with authors like Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and many others. During the Covid shutdown, RBmedia supported the Graphic Audio team who adapted to working in a completely remote environment.

Despite the shutdown, Graphic Audio produced series like The Boys by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The Boys was adapted from the Graphic Novels and Directed by Michael John Casey with Sound Design by David Zitney.

Where live theatre was closed during Covid, Graphic Audio was able to grow their creative teams under RBmedia and continue to produce more productions in their unique and immersive audiobook format. The Graphic Audio team adapted to working in a completely remote environment during Covid, continuing to produce dramatized audiobooks. David Zitney made a huge impact in getting the creative teams prepared and converted using technological advances to adapt to this new way of production.

Graphic Audio began releasing The Kurtherian Gambit by Michael Anderle. The series was Directed by Colleen Delany and recorded with a Full Cast led by Colleen Delany as Narrator, Emily Beresford as Bethany Anne Reynolds, Bradley Smith as Nathan Lowell, Michael John Casey as Lance Reynolds and Terence Aselford as Tom. Sound Design by Dave Fernandez.

2021

Graphic Audio released Vampire Hunter D series by Hideyuki Kikuchi and Yoshitaka Amano. The production was Directed by Scott McCormick with Sound Design by Megan Hastie. The title was featured on Anime News network site.

Graphic Audio produced the first titles in two original trilogies commissioned and exclusively written for their dramatized audio format. Tangent Knights by Christopher Bennett, adapted and directed by Rick Rohan with Sound Design by Michael Hanusiak and Agent of Exiles by Tom Doyle, adapted and directed by Rick Rohan with Sound Design by Casey Green and Abby Raetz.

Graphic Audio released an Archie Comics series by Mark Waid, Fiona Staples, Annie Wu and Veronica Fish. The production was Adapted directly from the comics / Directed by Bradley Foster Smith. Sound Design by Robert McDonald and Grayson Holland.

Graphic Audio made the decision to expand their Deathlands franchise by releasing a title in the original series, The Trader by James Axler. The story was written by Mel Odom. Adapted, Directed and Sound Design by David Zitney.

2022

Graphic Audio released Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews (Audie Nominated). The production was Directed by Nora Achrati and recorded with a Full Cast led by Nora Achrati as Dina Demille, Ryan H. Reid as Sean Evans, Alex Hill-Knight as Arland, and Karen Novack as Caldenia ka ret Magren. Sound Design by Robert McDonald and Michael Hanusiak.

Graphic Audio released A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas. The production was Directed by Colleen Delany and recorded with a Full Cast led by Melody Muze as Feyre, Anthony Palmini as Rhysand, Henry W. Kramer as Tamlin, Ann Flandermeyer as Amarantha, Gabriel Michael as Lucien, and Debi Tinsley as Alis. Sound Design by Casey Green and Megan Hastie. Mel Robbins discusses her experience listening to Graphic Audio on her podcast (see video at Instagram).

Aaron Coe transitioned from leading the Audio Archival division to become the Studio Manager at Graphic Audio.

2023

Graphic Audio released The Empyrean: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. The production was Directed by Scott McCormick and recorded with a Full Cast led by Khaya Fraites as Violet Sorrengail, Gabriel Michael as Xaden Riorson, Torian Brackett as Dain, Taylor Coan as Rhiannon, LaMont Ridgell as Tairn, Robb Moreira as Ridoc, Laura C. Harris as Mira, and David Cui Cui as Jack. Sound Design by Justin Wortz, Robert McDonald, Dave Fernandez and Jameson Hunt.

Graphic Audio released Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Audie Nominated). The production was Directed by Dave Fernandez and recorded with a Full Cast led by Stewart Crank as Darrow, John Kielty as Cassius, Richard Rohan as Fitchner, Stephanie Németh-Parker as Eo, Jenna Sharpe as Mustang, Kay Elúvian as Roque, Jon Vertullo as Sevro, and Ian Russell as Nero. Sound Design by Dave Fernandez.

Graphic Audio began releasing Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. The production was Directed by Nora Achrati and recorded with a Full Cast led by Nora Sofyan as Narrator and Kate, Michael Glenn as Curran, Steven Carpenter as Crest, Christopher Walker as Saiman, Bradley Foster Smith as Bono, and Robb Moreira as Derek. Sound Design by Conor T. McGinley.

2024

Graphic Audio celebrated 20 years of producing Dramatized Audiobook Entertainment!

Graphic Audio released Dolby Atmos surround mixes on Audible of The Stormlight Archive: Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson and the Cemetery Girl Trilogy by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden.

Graphic Audio began releasing Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas. The production was Directed by Colleen Delany and recorded with a Full Cast led by Colleen Delany as Narrator, Kit Swann as Bryce Quinlan, Danny Montooth as Hunt Athalar, Nick J. Russo as Ruhn Danaan, Torian Brackett as Isaiah Tiberian, and Gail Shalan as Danika. Sound Design by Casey Green and Lauren Wood.

Graphic Audio began releasing Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs. The production was Directed by Laura C. Harris and was named AudioFile's Best Audiobooks of 2024 in the Multi-Voice category. Sound Design by Eli VanZandt.

2025

Graphic Audio won their first Audie Award in the Original Work Category for Hellboy And The BPRD: The Goddess Of Manhattan (Dramatized Adaptation). The original story was written by Christopher Golden and Tom E. Sniegoski. The production was Directed by Scott McCormick and recorded with a Full Cast led by Marni Penning as Cindy Tynan, Scott McCormick as Hellboy, Amanda Forstrom as Elizabeth Sherman, Eric Messner as Abe Sapien, Michael John Casey as Kushim, Ken Yatta Rogers as Detective Green, Nora Achrati as Ma-Riga, Tim Carlin as Officer Ogilvie, Lydia Kraniotis as Sem-Karul, Rob McFadyen as Riley, Steven Carpenter as Dr. Manning. Sound Design by Justin Wortz.

Graphic Audio launched a Browser Player for users on computers, laptops and any device to stream audiobooks right on the website.

As of February 2025, the Axlerverse consists of 234 stories (The Trader 1–3, Deathlands 0-155, and Outlanders 1-75) with more original titles in development.

Graphic Audio began with a cast of a half a dozen super talented voice actors from the DC metropolitan area and today has a pool of over two hundred voice actors that span over six continents worldwide.

MANY MORE DRAMATIZED AUDIOBOOKS TO COME...

WHERE TO FIND US:

GraphicAudio.net is our direct store where we offer various download file formats including MP3, M4B and FLAC, which is very high audio quality. We also sell series sets which make it easy to purchase the whole series in one click. Our titles are also available at these digital partners: Audible, Apple, Google, Storytel, Spotify, Hoopla, Overdrive (Libby), Bibliotheca, Audiobooks dot com, BookBeat, Speechify, Audiobooks Now, Libro FM, Everand, Chirp books, Kobo, Nook, Nextory, Legible and more. Our titles are also available on hard format MP3-CDs through Downpour and Amazon.