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My Latest Project For Kids

Making Axe Cop had a big impact on me, not just professionally, but also on my entire view of the creative process. Before, I wanted to be some combination of Quentin Tarantino and Edgar Wright (which has its merits for sure. They are two of my favorite directors to this day), but when I saw that I had created something that dads and sons could both genuinely enjoy together, that was powerful to me. I wanted to keep making stuff like that.

My new project is called THIS BOOK MIGHT EXPLODE, and it’s being released by my new company, Explodey World. The book features comics, stories, cartoons, games, crafts, how-to-draw lessons, story writing exercises and more. It’s an omnibus of everything in the kids’ section at Barnes and Noble, created by me, my writing partner Eric, and a bunch of other artists and writers I have worked with over the years, including Doug TenNapel, Michael J. Nelson, Rich Werner, and many more. When I invite someone to work on this book, my one requirement is that they make the kind of thing they would have been thrilled to find in a big random book when they were kids.

Here are some of my contributions in this book. First, Corn Doug and Diggity Dog, about a dad who eats an over-microwaved Corn Dog and becomes a super corn dog, and he has a dog who is way cooler than him. I co-created Corn Doug with Eric Branscum. Part of the fun of Corn Doug is we leave little parts of the comics unfinished and ask kids to fill those spots in, whether it’s writing in dialogue for a character, coloring, or drawing something into the panel.

Up next is LEGION OF FLUFF. This is my comedy horror adveture for kids about two step-siblings whose plush toys come to life and become giant monster fighters, which is good because their apartment complex is being attacked by a horde of goblins. This is an ongoing story with a few new chapters in each edition of This Book Might Explode.

I also write and illustrate a short story in every book that is a true story from my life, like the time I sucked all the ink out of a pen during a science test, or the time I got my head stuck in a door and peed myself.

I’m also doing the illustrations for Eric Branscum’s awesome Roald Dahl-esque Fish Can Talk And Always Could.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I have funny safety guides for kids that I created with Frank J. Fleming, similar to those in my book Bears Want to Kill You. Not to mention the other amazing comics and stories by our other contributors.

The book comes out every other month. It’s big, thick, and colorful. It’s like a super-premium magazine subscription made by a farmer’s market of the greatest indie creators in kids’ entertainment. I’m very proud of it, and I have yet to meet a kid who didn’t love it.

So if you have kids in your life, please give it a try. This Book Might Explode not only entertains your kids, but it also introduces them to the creative process and invites them to be a part of it. CLICK HERE TO TRY SUBSCRIPTION at no risk. You don’t like it, we’ll give you a refund.

My new book is out!

It’s been a wild ride with this book. It did great on Kickstarter, I shipped all those, then I began trying to get it up on Amazon. I’ve released this book totally independently and it is hasn’t been easy. I spent my own cash to go onto various podcasts and radio shows to promote the book and in the middle of that trip, Amazon took my book down. I still have not figured out why they did it. They cited a number of possible violations, none of which made any sense. I have been back and forth with their horrible seller services and have waited many days for any kind of response.

So, my book is available on my store for now. In fact, I still have around 30 Limited Edition signed/numbered hardcover/slipcases.

The Kindle version is still on Amazon. Check out some of the reviews, this book is a blast.

If you want a 20% discount check out BearsWantToKillYou.com. Or, if you are on my email list, search your inbox for the most recent email.

Ethan

Check out my Kickstarter!

I’m Kickstarting!

I’m not doing new Axe Cop right now (though if you want to see some Axe Cop episode commentaries they are available on Patreon.)

I have been working on this bear survival guide based on the bear news and survival tips I have created as a companion to Bearmageddon, my other web comic.

This will be on my Kickstarter page, launching April 18th and lasting 30 days.  There won’t be Axe Cop stuff involved, however, if you would like there to be, send me a message and I’ll see what I can do.

-Ethan

 

Carnivorous Sheep Burgers (Songster LAST PAGE!)

And that is that! Thanks for following along on the adventures of Axe Cop versus the Songster. It was fun to revisit Axe Cop with Malachai a bit older and partnering with Parry Gripp was a privilege. We are going to come up with a cool package to sell this story and music as one item for those interested, I’ll post it on the blog here when it comes out. Thanks again to Parry for all his tunes. This was a lot of fun.

I won’t be posting new Axe Cop material for a while. Come see me over at Bearmageddon.com and keep tabs on me on Patreon, Twitter and Facebook to find out when other projects are being released.

 

Ethan

Royalties (The Songster page 24)

One page left, and one song left.

Parry and I are thinking of putting together a special highly limited edition cassette tape and full printed comic. If you would be interested in something like that, let us know.

Next week, the story shall end. I don’t have plans for more Axe Cop content at the moment. Thanks for following along with this story, it’s been a fun little experiment and working with Parry has been a treat.

Ethan

ASAN (Songster page 23)

Featuring my faithful Patreon contributor Jeff Kranz as the smarmy ASAN rep. He appreciated it.

Want to beta test the Axe Cop RPG game in development? Two levels now up on Patreon.

 

Ethan

Utimate Zodiac (Songster page 22)

I’m back! As I write this, my new son, Calvin, is screaming his brains out in the other room. He’s actually a pretty calm baby most of the time. He must know I’m trying to get back to work. Thanks for your patience while I took the month of August off.

Enjoy this gem from Parry Gripp. There is one small song left after this, but this is the last big one in the story, so savor it!

Ethan

Big Ball of Disease (The Songster page 21)

When Malachai decided there was a giant ball of disease hidden inside the sun, I decided the best representation of that would be a little homage to Mad Balls, one of my favorite toys in the 80’s. I remember all the gross out 80’s toys with fondness. Garbage Pail Kids, My Pet Monster, Mad Balls… what else? I would like to start a definitive list in the comments. Oh yeah, GAK!

I’m excited about next week’s song and page. I’ve read some of Parry’s lyrics and they are hilarious. See you then!

Ethan

SQUEAK (The Songster Page 20)

Well, the Songster has 5 more pages and two more songs. After that, I don’t have plans for more Axe Cop material.

I hate to just leave the character sitting around to collect dust. I would like to explore ideas outside of comics, especially a crowd-funded video game. In a couple weeks I will have a new son, so I’ll be taking a small break from work for a month or so anyway. Then I’ll decide what to do next. I would love your ideas.

Read

Ethan

 

Back to Reality (The Songster, Page 19)

Remember when Axe Cop got trapped in a video game called Birds of Prey? If you beat that game, you know how he escaped and why he is on fire. It all fits into the story.

If you haven’t played it, or would like to try to beat it again, here is the link:

Axe Cop Never Says Uncle!

If you are impatient, here are some hints:

-Never say uncle

-Use right, left and spacebar to eventually turn and bite the birds.

-You must bite four

-You must hit spacebar one more time after they fly off, at just the right moment.

The victory song is so awesome, I want everyone to experience it. Beating the game only takes a few minutes if you know what you are doing.

 

Ethan