Imagine discovering you could stop time…but only during the throes of passion. Then, meeting someone who shares your bizarre ability. That’s the starting point for Sex Criminals, and now, that bizarre premise is headed to your TV, courtesy of Amazon.
Per Deadline, Prime Video has ordered eight episodes of the adaptation of Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky’s Sex Criminals comic. Tze Chun (Gotham) is spearheading the show, alongside Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), with Nanjiani set to star. The Image Comics series, which debuted in 2013, centers on Suzie and Jon, who discover they can freeze time when they orgasm. They decide to use their powers for good—by robbing Jon’s bank.
“Sex Criminals is the exact kind of thing Winter Coat [Films] aims to bring to life: love stories in weird places,” said Gordon and Nanjiani. “From the moment LuckyChap brought us Matt and Chip’s comic book, we knew we wanted to bring these characters to screen and are so excited to do that alongside Tze Chun and Prime Video.”
“We’re overjoyed to have such talented people bring our dumb comic to life,” said Fraction and Zdarsky.
Fraction previously attempted a TV adaptation in 2015 with Kelly Sue DeConnick, but the project stalled. The new series continues Prime Video’s investment in Image Comics adaptations, following Invincible and the short-lived Paper Girls.
Prime Video’s forays into comic book adaptations include The Boys, Spider-Man Noir, and Criminal, which are also in development.
The Evolution of Comic Book TV Adaptations
Remember when comic book adaptations were relegated to Saturday morning cartoons? Now, they are a cultural force, dominating both film and TV. Prime Video clearly wants in on that action, treating comics as fertile ground for fresh content. The Sex Criminals show illustrates a broader strategy at Amazon to mine gold from independent comic series.
The adaptation of Sex Criminals is a gamble; the source material is provocative. Can Amazon strike the right balance between edgy humor and heartfelt storytelling to attract a broad audience? Success hinges on capturing the comic’s unique tone and irreverent spirit.
How does Amazon choose which comics to adapt?
It is a bit like panning for gold, isn’t it? Amazon likely uses a blend of data analysis, trend forecasting, and good old-fashioned creative intuition. They need to identify properties with built-in fanbases, compelling narratives, and the potential to resonate with a wider audience. Deals and partnerships with comic publishers like Image also likely play a significant role. Then the bean counters have to weigh the cost of production versus projections of subscribers, viewership, and downstream revenue.
The Talent Behind the Camera
Have you ever noticed how certain filmmakers have a knack for translating unconventional stories to the screen? Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani are names that inspire confidence. Their involvement suggests Amazon isn’t afraid to embrace the source material’s inherent weirdness. Tze Chun’s experience with Gotham adds a layer of genre expertise to the mix.
The creative team assembled for Sex Criminals suggests a willingness to take risks. This show will either become a cult hit or a spectacular misfire. I suspect this particular team is more interested in making something unique than playing it safe.
Will the show stay true to the comic?
That is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Comic book fans are notoriously protective of their source material. Alter too much, and you risk alienating the core fanbase. Stay too faithful, and you might fail to capture a broader audience. The creative team will need to walk a tightrope, preserving the spirit of the comic while making necessary adaptations for the screen. Hopefully, they learned lessons from the Paper Girls adaptation.
Prime Video’s Comic Book Strategy
The streaming wars are in full swing, and content is king. For Prime Video, comic book adaptations represent a strategic investment in valuable IP, intellectual property. Following the success of The Boys, Amazon seems intent on establishing itself as a destination for genre fans. Is this a sign of more niche comic adaptations to come?
Amazon’s investment in comic book adaptations is a long-term play for subscribers and cultural cachet. Is the Sex Criminals adaptation a bold move, or a calculated risk that will pay dividends in the long run?
What other comics should Amazon adapt?
That’s a question every comic fan has an opinion on! Which creator deserves a shot? Which series is underappreciated? And which property would benefit from a big budget and a talented creative team? The possibilities are endless, limited only by imagination and, of course, the ever-present bottom line.