Author: Ethan Nicolle

I know any parent would be fine with an Axe Wielding self-appointed cop being their child's guardian while they go to the lake, so this story isn't so absurd to start with, but I'm sure it will get weirder. 

To “write” this story, I bought a cheap baby doll and jammed a pencil wrapped in pipe cleaners into its head and Malachai and I pretended to be Axe Cop and Dinosaur soldier babysitting Uni-Baby.  Observe:

(yes, Malachai is punching the baby)

I am going to be starting a new 3-day posting schedule.  For a while I have been posting on Tuesday and Thursday, but now I will be posting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  That means on Wednesday you get Axe Cop AND Bearmegeddon if you choose to be a reader of both.  I will adjust things thus: Tuesday and Thursday will be story days, and Wednesday will be Ask  Axe Cop days.  So, you have that to look forward to starting tomorrow!

Also, if you didn't see it yesterday check out my new monday blog feature “RecomMonday” where I recommend stuff I love. 

See you tomorrow with a new episode of Ask Axe Cop AND a new page of Bearmageddon!

Ethan

I decided to start something new.  I call it RECOMMONDAY.  No, I will not be posting a new comic- BUT, I will be posting something I recommend.  It will generally be in the realm of comics and art, but I may branch out some too.  Some of it will be old stuff that has been around, some will be new stuff.  Some will be obscure, some will be mainstream.  The only requirement is that it is some piece of print or film media that has brought me joy and I want to pass it on.

For my first RecomMonday, I present to you the Daily Zoo!

If you are endlessly fascinated by the animal kingdom and love really good, fun art, these books are a treasure.  The story goes that Chris Ayers was diagnosed with cancer and decided to seize life and draw an animal a day.  He did two years worth.  My only gripe is that not every drawing is printed at full page size.  This art is so fun to look at that I would pay for that 365 page book.  He does print the images in small stamp-sized squares at the end, but you don't get a good look at them. 

I used these books with Malachai when we were creating Bad Guy Earth.  I was trying to make up some creatures with him, so I was trying to get him to look through books of animals and pick the cool ones.  After a couple photo books of real animals got a less than zealous response, I got out the Daily Zoo and Malachai devoured every page.  I gave him sticky notes to put on the animals he liked, then I would go back through to each page and ask him to come up with a character based on the animal.  In fact, he tried to directly rip off Chris a couple times because the ideas were so great.

Anyway, check out some sample pages here.  I guarantee this will be one of the most beautiful books on your shelf, and if you are an artist, a priceless source of inspiration and source material for amazing animal renderings.  Every time I open one up I want to hit the zoo with my sketch pad. 

Oh yeah, and from what I understand Chris's battle with cancer is either over, or it is looking good.  I don't know all the details I just know I'm glad we have this guy around and I hope he draws about a zillion more of these.

Ethan

P.S.  This week, the new Axe Cop story begins: “Axe Cop Babysits Uni-Baby” and I am going to be starting a new 3-day posting schedule.  For a while I have been posting on Tuesday and Thursday, but now I will be posting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  That means on Wednesday you get Axe Cop AND Bearmegeddon if you choose to be a reader of both.  I will adjust things thus: Tuesday and Thursday will be story days, and Wednesday will be Ask  Axe Cop days.  So, you have to look forward to starting tomorrow!

This episode is near and dear to my heart.  The last string of Axe Cop material has been pretty dark and psycho, so it felt good to do a charming, sweet episode where Axe Cop just sits down and meets the three people he has always wanted to meet:  his creators and his favorite singer. 

I had some people (who don't read the blog) assume I put Malachai up to the Little Lulu thing the other day, but he really loves Little Lulu and if you read Lulu, his comic proves his knowledge of the characters.  Of course, he is influenced by the adults in his life and Little Lulu was a gift from Shawna Gore.  His big brother Ethan does love Vietnamese food, and in the small town he lives in it is my favorite place to eat.  They serve those girly looking bubble tea drinks there and Malachai often go together and get our favorite flavors:  watermelon and bubblegum.  Usually when we drive Malachai requests that we listen to Johnny Cash.  He learned of Johnny Cash on the Rock Band game my brothers and I got our sisters for Christmas.  It became his favorite song, and when we are in the car he always asks to play Johnny Cash.  In fact we did it so much he learned how to get onto my iPad and look up specific Johnny Cash songs on iTunes and be the dj as we drive.  As we listen he asks me about the meanings of the songs.  He always asks “is this song true?” (especially when Johnny Cash talks about shooting people).  I usually tell him that the song is made up… except in the case of the song “I've Been Everywhere”.  That became his other favorite song simply because it is one of the only true ones.  Metaphor is not something Malachai has a lot of respect for at his age.  The observation Axe Cop makes about “Rusty Cage” and “One Piece at a Time” was an actual observation Malachai made when we were driving around listening to Johnny Cash one day.

Another piece of this episode I couldn't fit into the text is the reason Axe Cop has to make a fist and an open hand to fly.  It is because some superheroes make two fists when they fly, and others do two open hands.  Axe Cop does both.  Once again, he rises above and stands out among your average garden variety crime fighter in tights.

Apologies to those of you who went to Bearmageddon yesterday and did not see the launched website.  There was a miscommunication/mixup with my web company and the launch ended up being wonky.  The site is propagating and should ooze out to the rest of the internet within the next couple days.  If you haven't seen the first page of Bearmageddon yet, try to clear your cache or flush DNS.  If that doesn't work, just give it time.  Thanks to everyone who came over and checked out Bearmageddon yesterday.  A new page will be up tomorrow, so hopefully you'll be back.

So much to do!  Until next time…

Ethan

UPDATE:  I forgot, that Dragaroo person posted another video from Comic Con with seleced highlights from the Axe Cop panel:

My new web comic, BEARMAGEDDON has begun!  Page one is now up, so please go check it out!

I have been waiting to draw this Little Chuchu comic.  Basically, if it is not obvious, Malachai wanted to write a Little Lulu story so I told him he had to change the names, so he just added “ch” to their names.  If you haven't read Little Lulu this will still be funny, but if you have you will find it even more funny because Malachai really loves these comics and the “Lulu tells Alvin a story” epsiodes are always fun, though never this nightmarish.

Oh yeah, and I know some people will be bothered by the Indian stuff… well, if you have read Lulu which is from the early 1900's, they are a lot worse than this.  I wanted to capture the goofy portrayal of Indians from that time as well as Malachai's sympathy for them.  In his version, when you shoot an Indian, your life becomes a living hell and you are banished to the forest to ride around on a Segway with an unquenchable hunger for brains with your dead family.  I was tempted to put a scan of my Cherokee nation card into this blog post just for immunity, but I'll save that for if it's needed.

Malachai discovered Lulu when our editor Shawna Gore gave him a giant sized Little Lulu book.  It became his favorite comic, and to this day any time I visit I read him Lulu comics before bed.  So I decided to dedicate this episode to Shawna, and it happens to also be her birthday.  We love Shawna.

But wait!  Tomorrow is the big day over at www.bearmageddon.com!  The first page of Bearmageddon will post tomorrow morning.  So please join us there.  You can also follow Bearmageddon on Twitter and Facebook.

P.S. the whole “zombie indian on a Segway” thing comes from a t-shirt I got from woot with zombies on segues that says “we've upgradead”. Malachai is always asking me to explain the shirt, and he must have decided that a Segway is a good upgrade for a zombie.

P.P.S. I found this video someone posted with a small clip from our panel at Comic Con.  It comes on at 1:39 and shows Malachai and Baby Man dancing together.

I know that technically Comic Con was over when I posted on Tuesday, but it hasn't really felt over for me until this morning.  My family stayed in San Diego for a few extra days, and in that time we went to Sea World and I took my siblings to Universal Studios.  I traveled bacl and forth to San Diego twice and got a mean sun burn.  It was an amazing week, but boy am I exhausted.  If you missed the Axe Cop panel, it was amazing. I am hopeing someone out there recorded it and puts it up on youtube.  Here was one of my favorite moments (click to enlarge)…

That's Kevin Murphy moderating (he did an awesome job) along with our gang of cosplayers:  the Best Fairy Ever, two Axe Cops, Flute Cop, Sockarang (with golden bladed chainsaw!) and Baby Man.  Malachai is teaching Baby Man the Baby Man dance- though he kept telling me he had it all wrong after the panel.  He wanted to look up the original page where Baby Man dances so they could get it right.  He likes to stay very true to the comic. (photo by Kenny Hitt)

If you missed the panel, you missed this video that gives a few sampled of the cards in the upcoming Munchkin Axe Cop card game from Steve Jackson Games.  You can check it out here.

I met so many awesome people at Comic Con.  I feel bad for those who meet me when my brain is totally fried.  This is the most exhausted I have ever been at a Con and I felt terrible for some people who met me and got little more then a vacant stare and some change after buying something from me.  Axe Cop fans have proven to be super friendly and a pleasure to meet in person.  Thanks for all your kind words, it definitely gives me a boost to keep making comics.

That's my update for today.  I'm sure there is more to say, but I promised myself once this episode was done I would take the rest of the day to relax.  My brain is already shutting down.  As for what comes next… the next Axe Cop story is Axe Cop Babysits UniBaby, but I still need more story from Malachai on it.  It may not start up on Tuesday, but I'll do my best.  I also have to get some more work done so that Bearmageddon starts posting on August third as planned.  Relax Ethan… relax.

Ethan

Well, right about now I am either at Sea World or Universal Studios with my family.  I am no doubt exhausted and ready to pass out. I am writing this blog a week ahead of time, so as I write this, Comic Con has not even happened yet.  I hope it went well.  But since this will post in the future… that means BEARMAGEDDON is getting closer.  Man I have some work to do.  I need to get out of this theme park!

Ethan

I am writing this ahead of time so that it automatically posts on Thursday while I am descending into the belly of Comic Con.  So here it is, Ask Axe Cop #61… all about man traps.  As usual, the traps are thorough, creative and awesome.  I appreciate the spike/lion/tiger trap.  It really takes care of any contingencies where a guy might escape, or not fall on the spikes fatally, or maybe shoot the tiger.  I don't care who you are, you can't survive a spike/lion/tiger pit.

Yesterday was our Dad's birthday.  He's a good man.  We love him a lot and we all had steak (if everything went according to plan).  Happy birthday Dad, we love you!

If you are at Comic Con you really should be reading the blog I posted on Monday about our schedule, panel, etc.  Go read that much more useful blog entry.  This one… this one is done.

Ethan

Another day, another installment of Axe Cop: the Funny Episode.  It's funny because it says it is.  Ok it is more creepy than anything, but it is at least fun.

Monday I posted the definitive Axe Cop Comic Con 2011 blog.  Read it if you are attending Comic Con so you know what is what, when what is, and where to go.  It is especially important because Malachai will only be at the booth for an hour or two a day, so if you want to meet him you gotta check out the schedule.

Also, Mtv Geek made a list of the best mini-series and one shot comic books of 2010, and Bad Guy Earth placed #2!  There was a couple exceptional, book-jacket worthy comments:  (spoiler alert)”this may be the best, most ridiculous setup for a poop joke in the history of comic books” and “Axe Cop… is violent, bloody, frequently disgusting… And great for the whole family to read.”  Thanks Mtv Geek!

Alright, even though I will be at Comic Con, a new Ask Axe Cop will still post on Wednesday and a the final episode of the Funny Episode will post next Tuesday.  I haven't figured out if I will have an Ask Axe Cop for next week yet because I will be running around with my family visiting for a few days after Comic Con and am unsure when I will have time to draw it.  So, we'll see.  I may use family vacation and Con fatigue as an excuse and miss a day.  We'll see.

Also, August 3rd is the offical date of the beginning of BEARMAGEDDON, my other web comic series.  It will post two pages a week in full color.  It will post at www.bearmageddon.com.

(click to enlarge)

Until then… see you at Comic Con, and if I won't see you at Comic Con, well, have a good life anyway.

Ethan

This is the official blog post to tell you all you need to know about AXE COP at Comic Con 2011!  First and foremost, this is where you will find us:

click here for the full Exhibitor list and floor plan.

The next bit of info you will want is panels.  There are two panels I will be on…

Thursday 2:00pm  Join the 2D Animation Revolution.  Join Doug TenNapel, Skottie Young, Dave Gibbons, myself and others to discuss 2D art and animation and the software we use to make it happen.

and the MAIN EVENT:

Sunday 10:00am AXE COP.  This is the big Axe Cop panel.  Kevin Murphy will moderate as Malachai and I share what is going on in the world of Axe Cop!  We'll be giving a sneak peak at Munchkin Axe Cop and the Axe Cop documentary, as well as some behind the scenes stuff that has not been seen online or in books.

SIGNING:  At my booth (#1714) it is important for you to know that if you want Malachai's signature, he will only be at the booth for 1-2 hours a day.  Here is the schedule right now, but it is best to come to the booth and find out if there have been updates because it is subject to change.  Malachai may get tired of signing, and if he does he will not be at the booth.  We have done cons before, and he loves signing, but we have never tried 5 days straight.  If you don't get a Malachai signature, tough luck.  We will give as many as we can as long as he is enjoying himself.

WED (Preview Night): 6:00 This is probably the best time to catch Malachai, he will be fresh and rearing to go.  He probably will be there until 7 or so.

Wed
Malachai Signing:  6:00-7:30

Thurs
Malachai Signing 12:00-1:45

Fri
Signing/demonstrating Manga Studio at Smith Micro booth #5353 (just Ethan) 11:00-12:30 
Malachai Signing 2:15-4:00

Sat
Malachai Signing 2:00-4:00

Sun
Ethan and Malachai sign at Dark Horse booth #2615 12:00

Malachai final signing 1:00-2:00

Keep in mind that you may get lucky and catch Malachai at the booth at other times, but following this schedule is your best bet.  Also keep in mind that following this schedule is not a guarantee.  Malachai may not be in the mood to sign at these times and if he isn't, he won't be there.

I would also ask ALL Axe Cop fans this personal favor:  If you see Malachai with my family away from our booth PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR AN AUTOGRAPH.  Please only request is autograph at the booth.  I know some people won't get this memo, but if you do please help us out by keeping to it.

COMMISSIONS

If you would like to buy a commission from me, I will be doing them first come, first serve.  If you would like to reserve a commission send me an email at info@axecop.com and let me know what you would like and I will give you paypal info (cut off for this is Tuesday night at midnight).  Commissions are 9″x12″ ink on bristol board for $40.00, add $5.00 per additional character.  I will do a commission in your own sketchbook at a price, depending on the size of the paper it will be between $20-$40.

We will have what is left of the Axe Cop One Year Anniversary Prints available and this will be a rare opportunity to get one signed by Malachai.  I will also be promoting my new project, BEARMAGEDDON.

That's it for now.  You can ask questions and hope I reply.