How I Made My 2026 Comic Con Props

With the 2026 Comic Con and Renaissance Festival season quickly approaching, I decided to tackle a major project: a pair of custom, 40-inch twin axes. This build took me from simple recycled materials to a finished set of props that look like they were pulled straight from a medieval forge. Here is exactly how I brought them to life.

The Arsenal: Materials List

• Cardboard (Base Frame)

• Newspaper

• Elmer’s Glue-All

• Painter’s Tape

• Neodymium Magnets

• DAP Plastic Wood Filler

• Sandpaper (220 Grit)

• Filler Primer

• Matte Black Acrylic Paint

• Dark Granite Paint

• Extreme Sheen Silver Paint

• Silver Anniversary Metallic Paint

• 8B Graphite Pencil

• Satin Mod Podge

• 1.5mm Dark Brown Leather Cord

The Build Process

Step 1: The Foundation

I started by cutting the 40-inch silhouette out of the radom cardboard I had. I taped everything with Painter’s Tape to hold the silhouette togeather. To give the axes weight and durability, I applied six layers of paper mache using newspaper strips and Elmer’s Glue-All.

Step 2: Magnetic Connection

I wanted these axes to be modular, so I installed neodymium magnets into the frames. I used painter's tape to hold them in place during the early stages and buried them under the final layersof paper mache for a seamless look.

Step 3: Smoothing the Steel

To get rid of the "paper" look, I coated the entire prop in DAP Plastic Wood Filler. After letting them dry outside in the sun to ensure a rock-solid finish, I sanded everything down with 220-grit sandpaper until the seams disappeared.

Step 4: Painting & Weathering

After a coat of filler primer, I applied a Matte Black base. I then used a dry-brushing technique with Dark Granite and multiple shades of Silver to create a forged iron texture. For the handle, I used a dark brown base and then a black wash to bring out a natural wood grain feel.

Primer

Base Coat of Paint

Dry Brushing Grey/Silver Paint

Step 5: The Finishing Touches

To make the blades look sharpened, I burnished the edges with an 8B graphite pencil. I sealed the entire project with Satin Mod Podge and added a dark brown leather cord wrap around the handle for structural support and that final rustic aesthetic.