Today's guest episode comes from Sear McGowan, who you may remember having done another guest episode where Book Cop tells a story.  In this episode Sean actually gets a child to do the writing.  He even stole the sound effect “Udder Cup!” which is how Malachai pronounces “Upper Cut” that I mentioned in a tweet a while back.  I still want to use that someday. 

And now here is a video I put together that captures the entire inking, gray toning, and lettering process of Ask Axe Cop #51.  I recorded all this for use in Eric Branscum's film Asking Axe Cop, but he didn't end up using any of it, so I decided to make it into it's own little video.  I wish I had recorded the rough pencil stage too but you get most of the process here beyond writing and penciling.  I draw in Manga Studio EX, gray tone is Photoshop CS4, and letter in InDesign CS4.

We presented these moments at the Axeiversary Party in Los Angeles, but I wanted to put the official list here, and also mention a few moments I thought deserved it.  One amazing thing about Axe Cop is that there really isn't a consensus on the best moments.  It was very widespread and the ones that made it in the top ten were by no means unanimous.  The fact is, there are a lot of moments that a lot of people like, and it seems like we all have our favorite.  When I look at my favorite moments from the last year I look at the most pivotal moments that had the biggest effect on the comic, not just the funniest.  So, I will present them from 10th to 1st, and after I'll share some of the moments I picked that didn't make the list and why I think they should have.

I also feel like I should say up front that I write this stuff as a proud older brother.  None of this is to pat myself of on back.  I have watched this stuff unfold with as much excitement as any reader has.  I get the privilege of packaging it and presenting it, and that is a big job, but the substance of where the story goes never ceased to amaze me, and this whole endeavor has been totally fascinating to me.  I hope you do not read this list as self-aggrandizing, I feel like though I am on the creative side of Axe Cop, my unique position enables me to also be a big fan and not look too cocky.  Hopefully.

Hint: All of the images below can be clicked and enlarged and would make great desktop wallpapers.  Also… TONS of spoilers below.

TOP TEN AXE COP MOMENTS of 2010

(voted on by the fans)

#10:  We Should Put These Heads on a Stick and Hide Bombs in Them

I actually picked this moment as my number one.  Not because it is the funniest moment in the entire series, but because it was, to me, the moment we really found out who Axe Cop is.  He's crazy.  Most of the time when you read Axe Cop episode One this moment gets the biggest laugh.  To me, this is the moment that defines Axe Cop and once you read this line you know what you are in for… something totally insane and unpredictable.

#9:  The Always Shift

This has been a favorite Axe Cop quote from the beginning.  It's another example of Axe Cop's extreme commitment to his work.  I love that Malachai decided that Axe Cop actually hangs motivational posters in his kitchen. 

#8:  Our Gun Bill Is Really High

Most of the great moments of Axe Cop come from a conversation with Malachai where I am asking him questions.  He says they get a job, I ask where.  He says fruit stand, I ask why.  He says they need money, I say what for?  I tell him most people have to pay bills of some sort.  What bills do Axe Cop and dinosaur soldier pay?  He says they have a high gun bill.

#7: Abraham Lincoln: Explosion God

One of the most bizarre Ask Axe Cop episodes came from the question “did you ever shake hands with Abe Lincoln”.  Malachai's response was “no Axe Cop tried to marry her” and I said “Abe Lincoln is a man” and Malachai said “oh, well Axe Cop thought he was a girl so he tried to marry him.”  We went from there.  Axe Cop attempting to marry Abe Lincoln is not on the list, but I think it deserves mention here next to the moment it led to, which is when Abraham Lincoln used all the power of God to put a bomb in every bad guy so that he could change his sexual orientation and marry Axe Cop.

Ah the sweet random innocence of a child.

#6: Axe Cop Destroys the Xmas Monster Planet

One of the great surprise endings we all should have seen coming a mile away, but most of us got caught up in the Christmas spirit of the moment.  Sure Axe Cop blesses the Xmas Monsters with gifts for Christmas… full of bombs.  No mercy for the wicked, even on Christmas.

#5: Baby Man Chases a Duck

Yep.  After the initial Axe Cop tidal wave, Malachai hit a dry spell for a while and I decided one day to draw Baby Man chasing a duck.  It really went no where until Malachai caught wind of it and added his own twist: it shoots exploding eggs, and Baby Man is trying to eat it so he can gain its powers.  This was sort of a cat and mouse chase which I learned doesn't work extremely well in web comics because it moves so slow, hardly anything happens on each page and then you wait and wait to get to the end.  I think now that this is in book form the chase reads much more smoothly and fast like it was intended.  It is one of the craziest sequences I have ever drawn.

#4: The Old Fashioned Way That Nobody Knows

I admit I am surprised this one made it so high on the list, but it is one of those hilarious yet obscure lines that just sums up the confidence and ignorance wrapped up in the character of Axe Cop.  He is totally bold, even when he says something totally contradictory.  It turns out that the old fashioned way that nobody knows is to start your whole gang on fire and burn your opponent with fire power.

#3: Axe Cop Accidentally Kills a Good Guy

I consider this one of the greatest moments of Axe Cop because it proved to all the nay-sayers that Axe Cop, though written by a 5 year old, could develop as a character.  When Malachai wrote this, it sort of happened by accident.  He didn't realize he had written a sad story until he got to the part where Axe Cop killed a good guy and the only option was for him to cry.  So hilarious, so sad, so touching.  One of my favorite all time moments.

#2:  The Introduction of Wexter

This moment definitely deserves this spot.  I remember the day I posted this episode the internet when wild.  Wexter remains probably the favorite character of the Axe Cop universe.  He is the essence of awesomeness, childhood fantasies and total manliness.  I think it was the creation of Wexter that really got Malachai into Axe Cop too.  The Axe Cop character was sort of made up by accident.  Wexter was purely Malachai welding his power as a new comic creator.   He is Malachai's dream pet.

#1:  World Peace or New Costumes

I was surprised this made first place, though it is one of the funniest moments for sure.  Malachai had actually decided that the Sea Ghost would give the Moon Warriors a prize that would make it so no one ever had to fight again (basically world peace).  But later on he decided they got new costumes.  I reminded him he had already decided that the Sea Ghost was supposed to grant them world peace and he said that it gives them two choices.  They pick the new costumes.  The new costumes were inspired by some dollar store ninja toys I bought for Malachai.  When he saw them he decided they Moon Warriors needed a new look.

And now for a few honorable mentions I think deserve some recognition…

Uni-Baby

This was the beginning of Axe Cop's strange relationship with babies.  The cuteness, and violence of a baby with a unicorn horn used as an explosive device used to lob at bad guys is so iconic of the cute and insane world of Axe Cop.

I Pray For the Sharks

This episode came out of an actual prayer Malachai wanted to pray after a discussion on sharks.  Even the last panel.  We weren't even talking about Axe Cop at the time but it was so perfect I used it.  It remains one of my favorites.

Uni Man Gets Super Powerful

An amazing moment.  The once wussy, push over Uni-Man gets fed up, and he makes the ultimate wish: the get super smart.  Intelligence of course causes unicorn horns to sprout out of your body and he becomes a uni-porcupine.  He proceeds to send projectile unicorn horns sailing into every bad guy, including Satan and all his ships and soldiers.

Meanwhile, Inside a Nearby Swordfish

Totally random.  I remember asking Malachai where the Vampire Man Baby Kid is in this scene and he just says “inside a swordfish”.  OK… awesome.

the Fighting Zoo

Similar to the mermaid story, but definitely a memorable moment, Axe Cop once again kills an innocent creature.  This time, it was an elephant.  Woops.  I still hope that someday Axe Cop does visit the fighting zoo, because it sounds awesome.

And lastly…

Axe Cop Marries Sockarang

I really felt like this moment deserved to be in the top ten because it was one of those moments that was not just hilarious, cute, bizarre and horrifying all at once, but it was one of those “raw humanity” moments where Malachai without realizing it says something very true about human relationships.  He doesn't want to spend the rest of his life with some girl, he wants to spend it with his best friend.  It's the lucky ones who find someone who is both. 

Well, that's that.  Onto year two!!  Thanks for sticking around, sharing the link, spreading the word and buying the stuff.  You make this possible, and it's a lot of fun. 

Ethan

If you happened to watch the footage of our Meltdown event on Thursday you probably sort of already experienced this episode of Ask Axe Cop.  This is a special episode because my buddy Eric Branscum filmed the whole process and made a short documentary of it called “Asking Axe Cop”.  I think it may be more fun to watch the video before you read the actual episode, so I'll post the video here first:

And, not that you need it now, but here is the episode:

So we can add to the list of Axe Cop's questionable practices:  reanmation and slavery.  I like that he justifies the slavery by killing the bad guys first, sort of as if they are reborn into a new life of Axe Cop slavery.  I also like that he feeds them fruit and vitamins, but for some reason they shrink.  There is a lot to like in this episode.  The tiny robotic bugs, again, something normally bad guy would use, but Axe Cop remains the most thorough and relentless crime fighter in history and unleashes hordes of tiny robotic insects who seek out bad guys to poison. 
Why didn't Bat Man ever think of that?

Well, I have one more guest episode for tomorrow from my buddy Sean McGowan.  Thanks to everyone who contributed, it's been a fun couple of weeks.  See you tomorrow!

Ethan

One of the most commonly asked questions is will Axe Cop have any girls on his team.  The answer is now here…

I am pretty sure that this is the stance taken by 99% of 6 year old boys.  Sorry girls, you just aren't good fighters.  And with that, what little female fanbase Axe Cop had has now disappeared.  At least Axe Cop makes an exceptionfor the Best Fairy Ever.  He is ok with girls being on his team as long as they are tiny and live in a TV set.

I know I keep reminding you guys, but that Anniversary Screen Print is still for sale.  I only printed 300 of them, and only 200 are available in the online store.  They are signed and numbered and they feature every character to show up in the first year of Axe Cop.  I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  They are a true must-have for any Axe Cop fan.

ETC was at the Axe Cop event last Thursday in Los Angeles at Meltdown Comics and they interviewed Malachai and I.  Malachai was about as hyper as he has ever been:

You can actually watch our entire live presentation on video as filmed by Axe Cop fan Paul Auerbach at the event on youtube!

Well, tomorrow I will be releasing a new Ask Axe Cop.  It will be the one in Eric Branscum's short documentary on the creative process of an Ask Axe Cop episode titled “Asking Axe Cop”.  Both the episode and the video will be released tomorrow.  See you then!!

Ethan

Hey, if you haven't got yours yet, there are only 300 of these, signed & numbered 2-color screen prints of every character in Axe Cop this year!:

I am having Topatoco handle the shipping on these this time, but they are all signed, so go buy one!! This is a slice of Axe History!!

Speaking of Axe History, today, another guest episode.  Probably the longest one ever made.  Nik Houser put some work into this thing and he calls it “the Origin of the Axe”!

He also did this… (click to enlarge)

Tomorrow I'll be posting a new episode of Bat Warthog Man Can't Find His Friend, and I promise it will be one episode we will never forget.  Can't wait to post it!

Ethan

There was so mcuh to post I am continuing to post more Axeiversary submissions here a week later.  Today's Guest Episode comes from Hark Stribley (age 29) and Samuel Stribley (age 4):

For those of you who could not be here in Los Angeles on Thursday night, James and John managed to record the audio of our panel discussion/presentation with Malachai and me along with a very livey crowd.  This is definitely a fun listen. There is some spoilers in here though of videos we will be posting later this week, including the Ask Axe Cop episode which comes out on Thursday, so if you are a purist you may want to hold off.

Here is a piece of fan art from Nayib Nader titled “Hatchet Sheriff”

There you have it.  Also, if you have not seen the live action Axe Cop Episode one fan video, you probably haven't been online for a few days because it has spread like the plague.  Go watch it now!!

Another guest episode comes out tomorrow, and Wednesday a new episode of Bat Warthog Man Can't Find His Friend will be released.  It promises to be one of the most controversial and divisive episodes in the history of the comic, so prepare yourself for that.  Thursday, a new Ask Axe Cop episode.  Until then!

Ethan

200 of these prints will are now available for sale online, signed and numbered.   18″ x 24″  2 color screen prints on oatmeal speckletone paper, print run total of 300.  (the other 100 will be available on a first come, first serve basis at conventions).

BUY YOURS NOW HERE!

note: the print does not include the logo or lettering, it is just the characters

Axe Cop, LIVE ACTION episode one, made by fans is now up!  You should watch it!!

note: I meant to post this yesterday, but I was so busy I forgot too!! so, pretend it was posted on the 27th!

It was last year tonight that Obama gave his State of the Union address. I was at Doug TenNapel's house hanging out.  We had just smoked pipe in the back yard as we often do, trading tales of sitting and drawing comics all day.  As the speech carried on Doug was inserting his jabs in like a robot on the Sattelite of Love.  Then my iPod touch started going bonkers.  Suddenly I was getting Ask Axe Cop questions rolling in.  People were adding me on Twitter like crazy.  I get a text from my friend Anthoy who runs the website that the traffic just went crazy. 

I get home that night and search “Axe Cop” on twitter to dicover that there are literally between 8-30 new tweets going up every few seconds.  My inbox is filling up as if it is Instant Messaging.  Every time I finish reading an email, my inbox has five new ones.  I am awake until 4 am watching Twitter rage on like a forest fire, and read all the emails coming in.   I finally fall asleep, but wake up about 5 hours later.  My inbox has nother hundred new emails in it… Entertainment Weekly, Wired Magazine, numerous talent  agencies, publshers…  The site crashes that next night becaue traffic has only gotten more insane, so I put the few Axe Cop comics that are up on my own blog while we get a new hosting provider because the one we had could not handle the traffic.  That blog entry goes viral as well as the website.

That was the day Axe Cop took over my life.  It was all thanks to people on web sites like Reddit, Metafilter, Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter and Facebook that made it happen.  They shared the “holy heckies” out of it as Malachai would say.  Tonight we celebrate a year of Axe Cop at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood.  It looks like it is going to be a huge event.  Malachai is taking his first plane ride ever.  My Dad, his first since 1985.  My family doesn't travel much.

And it's also my Mom's Birthday.  I love you mom!!

I look forward to tonight and wish every faithful headchopper could be there.  I seriously want to say thanks for sharing Axe Cop with your friends and helping to be part of the tidal wave that made this year so much fun.

Today's Guest Episode comes from Jonathan Playmaker, made in MS Paint but also with a whole lot of love. 

Also, here is a piece of fan art by a 5 year old fan named Asha:

Yes I do believe Axe Cop has a dress on, but I do appreciate the lemon slice on the axe.

Oh, also, one of the most in depth interviews involving both Malachai and myself went up at Newarama yesterday.  To quote Malachai “[as a robot] I-am-going-to-destroy-you.”  He managed to catch me while I was visiting Malachai for Christmas so we talked to him on Skype for a while.  Malachai was pretty hyper.  Also, Sequential Tart gives Axe Cop Volume One a 10!

Well, keep your eyes on the Twitter feed and the Facebook page.  We are going to attempt to live stream the event tonight.  If we do, it should start at 8pm pacific time.  If you live anywhere near Los Angeles I hope to see you there!

Ethan

A year has passed.  Late in the night, it was January 25th and we put the Axe Cop website up online to see what would happen.  We didn't have incredibly high expectations (and by we, I mean my friend Anthony and his wife Amy and me), but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come.  As I type this, Obama is giving the State of the Union address.  I have been workng fevershly on preparing for the big Axe Cop event at Melt Down Comics in Los Angeles on Thursday, and on getting all the guest episodes and fan art together for this AXEIVERSARY week.  I am over a day late on it, it's been intense.  I am sort of teetering on the brink of crazy right now, but it's all for a good reason. 

To start, we have this drawing sent in by Michael Horowitz:

Yup!  In some other dimension this is the comic that went viral and it was written by a 29 year old and drawn by his 5 year old brother and they are celebrating their one year anniversary.

I'm also posting this guest episode by Marjorie Rishel because I think Malachai will love it, and in fact I love it:

Please check out Marjorie's web comic here:

That's all I have for today!  I have a lot of catching up to do.  Expect more content all week, because people have sent it, and I'm posting it.  Thanks so much for making this the craziest, funnest year of my life.  Here's to the next!

Ethan