11/22/06 -
More experiments.
No reasons.
Happy Thanksgiving!

11/14/06 -
A big thanks to Tommy Lee Edwards and Nick Dragotta for giving some grand advice at this years Comics Art Forum. It is always much appreciated, and hey! Mr. Edwards even gave me an idea.

The results you can see below. Mirror Image may yet be a reality.

A taste of things to come...

Oh yeah...it wouldn't be an update if I didn't rip on some newsworthy event, would it?

11/6/06-
It's all over now - I have a MySpace Page - Arghhhh! Ironically, it should send you right back here.

While "The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow" is on sale at a killer price, you may also purchase another book from the PUBLISHED section.

"Myth's & Monsters" is now for sale using PayPal!

Only $4.95, and what's more? You get your choice of a free zine! Anything from "Reasons Vol. 2" to "Poser #1!"

Note: You may now purchase prints of any of the works that you see on this web site. Simply E-Mail me which particular work interests you, and I will send you an Invoice via PayPal. Once payment is received, the work will be mailed out through good ol' SnailMail.

Some sketches I did over the weekend.

Rock the Vote! Stay at Home!

10/29/06 –
Nearly two months later, and I finally return here with some good news.

"The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow” is now available for purchase through ComixPress!

"But, Jason, that book has been for sale.” Yes, but allow me to point out the greatest thing ever. The price has been cut in half!

Now for only $3.95 you can own your very own goop-ridden copy of “The Strange Fungus in Mr. Winslow!” Buy it for the elderly, buy it for your spoiled children, buy it because the terrorist’s win otherwise!

All apologies for any inconvenience due to this site being down in the last month. I encountered a few issues as I changed servers. But all is well now.

New to this site is the Paypal Certification. Basically, if you would like to purchase original art or prints, you can currently send me an e-mail (click here). Within 24-48 hours, you will receive an invoice with the purchase details enclosed. However, I am working out some of the other joys of Paypal, so there will soon be a more convenient and secure way to make purchases, so bear with me as I figure all of that out (hey I work 40 hour weeks here).

I also must mention that the link I attached for Scot D. White’s mySpace page requires you to sign in with your mySpace username and password. Based on the popularity of this particular website, I can’t imagine that would be a problem for most.

Damn writer’s block! Two month’s and all I got to show for it are these comic strips >>    
See ya soon.

9/10/06 – As I wait for the proofs for the second printing of “The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow”, I wanted to share a new Talk Show strip.

On top of this, I have added a whole NEW SECTION devoted strictly to the “Talk Show” strips. With over 60 of these strips under my belt, this section has been built to simplify navigation through the entirety of the “Talk Show” library. Please let me know if there are any issues regarding this new section.

It is also the beginning of a new era. Former Static Press members, Benjamin Reid Phillips and Scott White both have their own work displayed on the web. Check them out here:

Ben: www.benjaminreidphillips.com
Scott: www.myspace.com/98813306

I want to also thank Mark Welch for not only selling a bunch of “Reasons: Volume 2” but also for mentioning it in his monthly Comic Cubicle Chronicles. Much appreciated.

That’s all for now.
Hopefully next time we will see a link to buy “Mr. Winslow” Second Printing.
Ciao!

8/27/06 – Another month and a new cover to my story “The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow.” Look for this cover on the second printing, coming soon.

Otherwise, here’s a couple more “Reasons” why I should stay away from Jewish people!

8/2/06 – With some much needed vacation time just around the corner, I wanted to share some recent sketches with you all.

Also keep an “eye” out on a new alternate (a.k.a. – better) cover for “The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow,” as well as some sketches for my up-coming story “Mirror Image!”

Coming Soon…

     
And what would an update be without a “Reason” to come back for more. I’ll give you enough to wet your little appetite. Two for the taking!

7/18/06

Oh Shit! It’s been a month and a half since I last put anything up here. Well, good things come to those who wait. As you can see above is a link to my new completed (albeit 4 page) comic The Next Time Around. Notably inspired by my recent obsession with the TV show LOST (Time...cough) about a castaway who has problems lighting a fire.

If this wasn’t enough, I have six…SIX, new Reasons I Should Not Be On A Talk Show!
I told you good things come to those who wait (One more after post) >          

Also within the last month – a worthy, yet short, trip to the annual Heroes Con 06! While I was only there for a day, I had many a memorable moment as I swung through the Artist Alley exhibition and seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Fellow SCAD alum Angie Shearstone made her yearly appearance while Brian “Kaiser” Tillman made his first. Also, the ever-so talented group of Dove McHargue, Julie Collins Rousseau and Chris Lie had a great spot to sell their souls…er merchandise, and even allowed me a place to rest. Thanks a bunch guys!

Some new talents also made themselves apparent, T.A. Boatwright being one of them. Check out his work here. Sara Turner and Jerzy Drozd of File 49 and Jake of The Alberic Heresies were a few of a lot more that showed some great talent. Hope to see them all next year as well.

As if that wasn’t enough either, I also ran into some more On Demand printers. Not too certain yet, but it looks like the price for The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow may drop quite significantly. Will keep you posted.

Good friend Ben Phillips who, unfortunately could not make it to Heroes Con this year (my fault on a part of being the last minute), will in fact be making it to San Diego Con this upcoming week. Ben has offered to take a stack of my Reasons Vol. 2 books, which were nearly gone after Heroes Con, with him. Thanks Ben.

I’ve also noted that I’ve been getting quite a bit of traffic recently, which is terrific news. How do I know this? Not only due to my trusty counter, but also due to an email I received from another old SCAD alum Jonathan Hill who has apparently been getting more hits through my web site. Glad to help!

One last bit of info before I finish off this extra long entry – NEW LINKS. Many of the people I’ve mentioned above have web sites now accessible through this very site. Oh…but there’s more. I’ve also listed a couple extra sites of interest. Including a decent on-line site for Phil Hale and the great Students Of The Unusual. Also check out a site so good that I just had to share it with you – The Best Page In The Universe! My favorite article – “How To Kill Yourself Like A Man.”

I think this will do it for now. Check back in the coming weeks as I make some slight modifications to this site. Until then brothers and sisters…

6/3/06 - CORRECTION! (a.k.a. - I am a dumbass)
FOX did not part their ways from Devil's Due. In fact, Devil's Due will continue to publish Family Guy through #3, at least.

NEW SECTION! Check out the new DESIGNS section to my web site! A collection of CD insert designs from 1999 to the present.

5/24/06 - To all those editor’s who came for Editor’s Day, I hope your trip was worthwhile. I do sincerely apologize for not being able to make it in person. Unfortunately I have that day job thingamajig that actually pays the bills.

Unfortunately, FOX has decided to part ways with Devil’s Due on Family Guy. Well, hey, at least we got #1 out. In the meantime, #2 oughta be out sometime soon as well. I am not too certain, but they may still use the first story Ben and I did for that one. So check it out!

As for my schedule? It’s getting one helluvan overhaul this week. The Savannah Morning News (have I ever mentioned here that that is where I actually make money) has had me on a four-day a week schedule that makes my Thursdays and Fridays…quite long. But that will all change next week as I return to a 9-6, 5-day a week schedule. It also helps that every TV show I’ve been glued to is finishing their seasons this week (24, Lost, Sopranos – so that’s where I’ve been wasting my time!)

In the meantime, let me entertain you with my quote of the month from the one and only “Lost Skeleton of Cadavra” –

   - Ranger Brad: Oh, say...You don't believe those old legends about the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, do      you?
   - Dr. Roger Fleming: Ranger Brad, I'm a scientist, I don't believe in anything.

Until next time, here’s some Reasons to return >      

5/15/06 – Who needs Tom Cruise’s child like antics! Blowing up things in MI:3 and planting his seed in Katie Holmes! I can do that in my sleep. We've got Family Guy #1. And everyone knows that cheap toilet humor is far better than some psychotic overpaid and in-the-closet actor. (100 Million for War of the Worlds! You douche!) Boycott those lame ass summer flicks and go buy comics. Especially one’s with the name Benjamin Phillips inside! Cause then you’ll be buying my work too!

What’s that you say? I’m selling my soul?! What do you expect me to do? Now that I’ve finished my Thesis project (two whole long as hell stretched out years) I’ve got bills to pay bitch!

So read my Thesis and buy The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow. Let’s agree to disagree and then you can blow me via purchasing a copy of Family Guy #1 on May 17th. Hey that's this Wednesday!

See ya suckas!

   Thesis Paper (The paper by itself)
   Figures (An 8 MB file - but worth the wait!)
   Works Cited (Giving credit where it's due)

(Files may be viewed using Acrobat Reader or any other PDF viewer)

4/30/06 – The end of another month in 2006. Time for an update.

Many of you may have known about my ventures into applying for the Xeric Grant this year. The answer to the question is found in one of my Reasons strips below.

I’ve come ever so closer to finishing that damned thesis paper. Right now it lays in the hands of the last two professors. Needless to say that once it is turned in and completed that you will find a copy of it right here on my web site.

In the meantime, here's a nice sketch of Senator Barack Obama (this should explain one of my Reasons for those who don't know) and some Reasons strips. Until next time…

3/26/06 – That’s right! The one thing that no one has been waiting for! Reasons I Should Not Be On A Talk Show Volume 2! And how exactly can you go about getting yourself a copy. Hell, just email me! No sense in sending a money order for $1. Or you can email me a copy of your Lulu receipt upon purchasing “The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow” and I’ll send you a free complimentary copy. But getting a copy of Volume 2 is the only way for you to see 3 previously unpublished strips! That’s 3 assholes!

How about reverse psychology? You don’t want to buy a copy of Volume 2. Unfortunately you really won’t be able to at Heroes Con this year. It looks as though Static won’t be making it. After finishing Family Guy #1 for Devil’s Due, I checked out the site to apply for a table and found it SOLD OUT! Needless to say that never happened before, but it puts me in a bind. Time to start looking or other cons to frequent.

Here are some more reasons to quench your thirst >          

And remember: IF YOU’RE A CUSTOMER, THEN YOU’RE A PRICK!

2/26/06 – Coming soon to a Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble and local comic store…
No, not Scrambled Eggs. Even Joe Pruett from Desperado Studios never replied to that one. No, I am talking about Family Guy! Fellow artist Ben Phillips and myself have been busting ass on making the book look as close to the toon as possible. Well, Ben’s been doing most of the work. I guess that makes me his bit…er…assistant. You won’t see my name on it. But I’m sure I’ll realize it’s worth once I see it in print and start on issue 2. Issue #1 due out in April! Look for it and buy it!

When time permits I’m working on another short story called Next Time Around. According to Ben it should be called “Plagiarism.” Yeah, well I cracked out on LOST and felt inspired. Apparently so did he.

I have a really good Reason for wanting to take this one back. So why am I showing it to you?
Click here for more >    

1/30/06 - Now Available for viewing: SCRAMBLED EGGS! An 8 page story of a man and his quest to feed his insatiable hunger! Check out the whole story by clicking below!

To conserve space and download time for those with a slower internet connection I have moved all previous logs to the DEAD SCROLLS link in the side bar.

What do Star Jones, Ashlee Simpson and Christa McAuliffe all have in common? Besides being women, they are all victims of talk show blunders! Click here for more >    

1/7/06 - It's a new year! So let's start it off with a bang! Click here for more >       

12/17/05 - "Scrambled Eggs" will scramble your brains! But only upon completion. I'm going to make up for lost time. Here are several reasons why I should never ever go on a talk show! (Click on the buttons below for more)

11/25/05 – Good news for everyone! “The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow” is now available for purchase in the STORE! All people are to go directly to the corresponding link and buy a copy.
     Ever heard someone say something really stupid on TV? Well…

11/19/05 - Hey all! Well "The Strange Fungus In Mr. Winslow" got another setback as I got the printed book in earlier this week. My plans for the cover did not work out as I planned. So I had to go back in and re-edit some of the pages (they were cropped a little too tight) and redo the cover. It has been re-submitted and the proof once again on order. Hopefully the next time you hear from me you will be able to finally purchase a copy from Lulu.
     On the bright side, my Thesis paper is completed and awaiting approval from the rest of the committee. I have also begun work on "Scrambled Eggs," my follow up to "Fungus." I'll post some character studies and panels over the holidays. In the meantime, here's some model drawings.
     Check out new LINKS for two masters and a master in the making.
     Ciao!

11/12/05 - Just back from Comics Art Forum which went better than other years. Got to talk to Brian Stelfreeze briefly, Mark Schultz gave me some kindly advice on my thesis project "The Strange Fungus..." (which oughta help me in drawing my next project, actually I got quite a few to work on now.) Phil Craven gave me some of the bext advice on "The Yeti" that anyone has ever mentioned to me. Phil...SCAD needs you. I know that won't happen, in the near future.
     As much as I love Bob Pendarvis, JEERS to his Scott Hampton "joke". Not funny, man.
     Have a Reason?

11/6/05 - Had some small set back in getting "Strange Fungus..." up on Lulu, but alas...I got it. As I wait for the printed copy to come in the mail (for my approval before I let you people buy it), I've begun writing my thesis (only 2 years after I took the course at SCAD). If everything goes as I think it should then the paper doesn't have long to go...except for the whole getting it approved by everyone at the school, but that's a different story.
     Next weekend is Comics Art Forum at SCAD. I'll have a portfolio review with Phil Craven and maybe Mark Schultz if all goes well. Wish me luck as I continue to try and get noticed by important people.
    Of course the weekly model drawings are available below. New "Reasons..." will show their face when the model drawing sessions end in two weeks. Hopefully next week we'll see a direct link to buy my book via Lulu.com! Chill!

10/30/05 - Cheers to all! This has been one interesting month. Hell, it's been one hell of a year!
     
     First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to the new Mr. & Mrs. Mark Welch. Mark is the owner of Comic Cubicle in my home town of Williamsburg, VA and has sold me comics since 1994. Ahhh, for the days of the speculation boom. Hey, I'm not ashamed to say, if it wasn't for such titles as SPAWN and YOUNGBLOOD I probably never would have discovered such greats as LONE WOLF & CUB and STRAY BULLETS!

     Well, I'm getting off subject -

WELCOME TO THE NEW J.E. AXTELL SITE!

     Within you will find new LINKS, SKETCHES, BIO and of course the incredibly over-long project THE STRANGE FUNGUS IN MR. WINSLOW which will soon be available for download from Lulu! Check out the preview in the COMICS section!

     Also enjoy the new layout which is built to be easier to navigate. And keep an eye out for THE LOST ARK, a hidden treasure of old work from yours truly. But it is hidden, which means you gotta find it.

     I'd also like to wish Scott White and Angie Bantel the best of luck as they move on to bigger and better things. Scott will be moving out to California in the coming months, Angie is on her way to NewYork as we speak. Hopefully we all will bump into each other at a con sometime. You may still view Scott's work at the STATIC PRESS site (which will get its own makeover soon).

     As for me, I have a Thesis paper to write. In the meantime I've put a few sketches and a REASONS for your viewing pleasure. As for future comic work...well let's just say that I've had a few projects brewing for sometime now. I can tell you one thing, though, they won't be painted...

         
Click for larger view