Fox Adapting Web Comic 'Axe Cop' for Saturday Animation Block

Fox found its first property for its Saturday night animation block.

The network announced Tuesday that it will adapt Axe Cop, a web comic created by a then-5-year-old and his 29-year-old brother.

Fox earlier this year announced that it would launch a 90-minute late-night animation block on Saturdays, tapping former Adult Swim executives Nick Weidenfeld and Hend Baghdady to oversee the effort.

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Axe Cop revolves around an ax-wielding police officer and his loyal team of allies as they fight bad guys. Then 5-year-old Malachai Nicolle created the series with his 29-year-old brother, Ethan. The series launched online Jan. 25, 2010, and went viral in a matter of days.  

“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 Copbecomes the first property optioned under the network's Animation Domination HD, with Fox ordering six quarter-hour episodes of the series.

The ADHD effort will launch on Saturdays at 11 p.m. next year. Digital installments of Axe Cop can be seen here.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit