EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: AXE COP Creator Ethan Nicolle Talks New TV Series on FOX

It was announced that the Dark Horse and web comic series Axe Cop will be adapted for television on the Fox network in early 2013; Check out what co-creator Ethan Nicolle had to say about the good news and how his little brother is feeling.

Axe Cop the TV series will debut during the first quarter 2013 during FOX' Animation Domination HD Saturday nights. Six 15-minute animated episodes will make up the first season which will be aired both on the TV network as well as digital platforms. The comic series is renowned for being written by 5-year-old Malachai Nicolle while big brother Ethan illustrates and compiles the wacky ideas resulting in the very absurd yet hilarious Axe Cop universe.

Keven: Congratulations on Axe Cop becoming a TV series – on FOX nonetheless. Was this the deal you hinted at being in the works for a long time or is it something new?

Ethan: This actually happened really fast, so whatever I was hinting at before was not this. We had some other deals that came close in the past but I'm really glad this is the one we ended up with, it seems like a really good fit for Axe Cop and everyone involved are huge Axe Cop fans.

Keven: How did the deal come about, was it because of your past ties to Adult Swim?

Ethan: Nick Weidenfeld had been working at Adult Swim and was a huge fan of Axe Cop. For various reasons it didn't work out to put Axe Cop on Adult Swim or Cartoon Network, but when he was given the opportunity to find programing for FOX's ADHD he went straight to Axe Cop.

Keven: Will the material be brand new as a result of playtime sessions with your brother, or will the existing material be adapted?

Ethan: That hasn't been totally decided yet. I think it will be based on existing material but told in a new way. We will use the benefits of animation to our advantage meaning there will probably be more action than there is in the comic.

Keven: How will you be involved with the production? Considering you and your brother are the two owners of this material, as a fan I'm hoping you'll have some sort of opinion that counts with FOX.

Ethan: Yeah I will be a producer and Malachai will be consulted with as well. Everyone at ADHD has been really cool about having me be involved in the show.

Keven: How did your brother react to this news?

Ethan: He's excited. Our family doesn't actually have cable so it will be interesting when it actually airs, he'll be waiting for it to come to NetFlix.

Keven: Will the TV series take time away from producing more Axe Cop comic content or your other web comic Bearmageddon?

Ethan: I won't really know until it really gets going. There is a chance I will have to cut back. I am currently trying to balance three comic projects and two TV projects and it gets a little harder each day to keep up with all of them.

Keven: Because the Axe Cop universe is rightfully so random in its nature, do you have any worries that it won't translate as well from the page to the screen?

Ethan: I think that Malachai's mind works in full color animation much more than it does in black and white comic form. I think that, if done right, animated Axe Cop could easily be the best incarnation of the character. I'm excited to see Axe Cop in action.

Keven: Does FOX have anyone in mind for voicing Axe Cop at this time or do you have anyone you'd personally like to have on board. I know you've said in the past that Jon Hamm would be perfect for live-action, but there has got to be voice actors chomping at the bit to get on board this project right?

Ethan: This is one of those topics I can't really say anything about. My lips are sealed for now!

Keven: If the TV series succeeds, which I'd have to assume is a strong possibility – is that feature film proposal still on the table?

Ethan: If the TV series succeeds, LOTS of things are on the table. I'm excited and interested to see how it does.

Click HERE for my interview with Ethan Nicolle on the Axe Cop comic series.

Click HERE for my interview with Ethan Nicolle on his new series Bearmageddon.

Go to www.axecop.com for all the latest webcomics featuring everybody's favorite cat-suit wearing anti-hero, www.bearmageddon.com or head to www.ethannicolle.com for more updates on the artist/writer's various projects.