24 Hour Comics Day

It’s come to my attention that this coming Saturday, October 3, is 24-Hour Comics Day.

If you’ve never heard of it, permit me to explain.  The 24-Hour Comic was devised by Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics) in 1990.  The challenge is exactly what it says on the tin – to create a 24-page comic within no more than 24 hours.  The guidelines for the activity are on McCloud’s page, but I’ll reprint them here:

That means everything: Story, finished art, lettering, color (if applicable), paste-up, everything. Once pen hits paper, the clock starts ticking. 24 hours later, the pen lifts off the paper, never to descend again. Even proofreading has to occur in the 24 hour period. (Computer-generated comics are fine of course, same principles apply).

No sketches, designs, plot summaries or any other kind of direct preparation can precede the 24 hour period. Indirect preparation such as assembling tools, reference materials, food, music etc. is fine.

Your pages can be any size, any material. Carve them in stone, print them with rubber stamps, draw them on your kitchen walls with a magic marker. Whatever you makes you happy.

The 24 hours are continuous. You can take a nap, but the clock keeps ticking. If you get to 24 hours and you’re not done, either end it there (“the Gaiman Variation”) or keep going until you’re done (“the Eastman Variation”). I consider both of these “Noble Failure” Variants and true 24 hour comics in spirit; but you must sincerely intend to do the 24 pages in 24 hours at the outset.

Sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it?  Many have tried and have succeeded.  I will not be officially participating in the event this weekend.  Sunnyville #13 remains my big priority.

This is not to say I won’t do the challenge.  Once Sunnyville #13 is finished for nearly finished, I will set aside a weekend to actually attempt to create a 24-hour comic!  I want to use Von Herling as I have not drawn the character in ages and have been dying to put him in another adventure (his first adventure is still available on Amazon).

Stay tuned for more news on that.  And if you’re feeling up to it, take the 24-Hour Comics challenge!

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About Max West

I am a freelance artist and the creator of Sunnyville Stories, an independent slice-of-life comics series.
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