ANIMATION DOMINATION HD INKS DEAL TO BRING HIT COMIC "AXE COP" TO SATURDAY LATE-PRIME AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS

FOX's New Animation Unit to Launch AXE COP in 2013

Animation Domination HD, the new animation unit created by Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), has acquired the rights to the hit comic phenomenon AXE COP, it was announced today by Nick Weidenfeld, Head of Animation Domination HD. AXE COP will premiere as part of FOX's new Saturday late-prime Animation Domination HD block (11:00-12:30 PM ET/PT) debuting in 2013, and across digital platforms.

"AXE COP is one of the most creative, hilarious and naturally viral comic properties to emerge in the last decade," Weidenfeld said. "I've hoped someone would adapt AXE COP for television for years and couldn't be happier that we get to be that someone. AXE COP has all the makings of an iconic animated series and it will help set the tone for FOX's new late-prime Saturday animation lineup."

AXE COP is the first new series in development by Animation Domination HD. The new unit has ordered six quarter-hour episodes of the series. Additional auspices to be announced.

The "Axe Cop" web comic was created by then five-year-old Malachai Nicolle and his 29-year-old brother, Ethan, and chronicles the adventures of an axe-wielding police officer and his loyal team of allies as they fight bad guys. Written by Malachai and drawn by Ethan, the first five installments of "Axe Cop" were put online on January 25, 2010 and went viral in a matter of days. Three days after AxeCop.com went live, it was featured as Entertainment Weekly's "Site of the Day," and the series quickly became an Internet meme. Since its debut, "Axe Cop" has gained cult status and prominent recognition in the comic sphere through Dark Horse, on the web, and various media circuits.

ABOUT ANIMATION DOMINATION HD

Building on its more than 20 years of animation domination, Fox Broadcasting Company created the Animation Domination HD unit to oversee the development and production of alternative animated series, shorts and user-adapted material for its brand-new late-prime animated programming block and new digital multi-platform network. Led by former Adult Swim executive Nick Weidenfeld, the unit develops and produces original animated shorts and series to run both on air and online, extending across platforms such as Web, mobile apps, game consoles and Video on Demand. FOX uses its expertise and cross-promotional power to nurture these new assets through this pipeline, building a clear bridge for talent to develop and grow ideas in the digital arena and organically move them into the mainstream.