Chuck Von Schaaf (EIC AXIS Comicx)

How did the AXIS Vision come about?

Ever since I was 2 years old, Ive been drawing cartoons. My earliest memories are of Under-Dog flying across my T.V. screen. I used to draw him on any surface that wouldnt get me into trouble. Drawing was something that I just seemed to understand. It was a way of expression and also one of escape. Drawing unlocked my imagination, which I must say was pretty vivid and rampant.

Saturday morning was my favorite day of the week. I loved to see animation and cartoons come to life. As I got older, I discovered the fantasy world of comic books. These larger than life super-heroes inspired me to draw even more. My earliest artistic influences weren't Picasso or Van Gough, but rather Iron Man, the Hulk and Bat-Man. God created me to be a cartoonist. I have spent my life developing and combining my artistic talents with my creative abilities and my need to tell a story. My artistic expression has grown and expanded through the years. Ive evolved as a musician, a writer, an actor and director. But more than anything, Im a cartoonist. Well, there is something I am before a cartoonist. I am a blood bought, born again, spirit filled Christian.

Being raised in Tennessee, I grew up in church. I went to a Christian school and was raised to know that there was a God. Ive never doubted that God existed or that Jesus Christ was His only Son who died for my sins. But that knowledge was pretty much all in my head. It did not have any real affect on my life. In fact my life went through some pretty horrific, ungodly twists and turns, many of which came about because of my sinful, arrogant and selfish choices.

When I was a sophomore in High School, something wonderful happened to me. I had a real, personal encounter with Jesus Christ. At a Petra rock concert, I felt the presence of Gods Spirit for the first time. Later that same year at a church youth retreat, I made Jesus Christ my personal Lord and Savior.

Had it not been for that decision to accept Gods saving grace, I have no doubt that I would not be here today. The road I was on was headed for absolute destruction.

Jesus has been my closest companion and strong tower ever since. My life has revolved around Him and He has been the steady Axis that has kept my life turning. Even when I have walked away from Him, He has relentlessly pursued me and never let me out of His love.

Gods amazing love has done so much in me, for me, through me and to me, that I have no other option than to give back this wonderful new life to the one who gave it to me. To know such perfect, unconditional, faithful love... how can I keep this gift all to myself. I must tell others the good news of Jesus Christ.

God created me to be a minister. I adore people, especially those who are young or young at heart. I cannot stay silent when so many are lost and in desperate need of God's love and power. How can I effectively reach them and help them to encounter the God that I know? He is not a God of wrath or hatred or religious rules, but a forgiving, loving, compassionate and empowering God who has created each and every one of us with a destiny and a purpose.

I had (and still have) such a burden in my heart to reach young people with the truth of Jesus Christ. But if I've learned anything in my walk with God these many years, its that He never gives you a burden without giving you a vision to meet that burden.

When I was 21, God showed me my purpose. He spoke to my heart and birthed a vision in me to minister the gospel using the comic book medium. For the past 14 years the Lord has been building this dream in my heart. I believe that Gods fullness of time has come and now is the time for this vision to be fulfilled.

In the pages to come, I hope you will see the scope of that vision and catch it as well. I hope that you will stand with me in faith knowing that this good work God began in me, He will see it through to completion.