This alternative to ax::Sprite avoids a crash when the requested file is not found, showing instead a predetermined image (HelloWorld.png by default).
Include the following files in your Source folder:
SafeSprite.h
SafeSprite.cpp
and use #include "SafeSprite.h" where needed.
Call it with auto mySprite = SafeSprite::create("myImage.png");
You can edit the predetermined image inside SafeSprite.cpp.