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Hairbutt the Hippo Private Eye is the creation of artist Jason Paulos and writer Bodine Amerikah. Jason came up with the idea of a half-human-half-hippo detective at art school in 1988, with a 12 page introduction story called 'Jung isn't deep, he's my Brother'.

The first 'ashcan' edition of Hairbutt the Hippo was published by Rat Race Comics in Sydney in June 1989, and another three issues followed. By this time he had made contact with Sydney artist/writer Bodine Amerikah, who had already contributed to 'Pounding Tales' and 'Phantastique' as well as publishing his own comic 'Niteside & the Rock', a dark superhero trilogy. 
Bodine offered scripting assistance for most of the 4 issue ashcan series of Hairbutt the Hippo, then wrote an origin story called  'Street Pizza', originally published in 'Southern Aurora comics' #1.

pictured at right: Jason Paulos, Bodine Amerikah & Paul Newell at Ozcon 2 1994

below: J.Paulos & B.Amerikah at the launch of 'Southern Aurora Comics' in 1991.