On Saturday 4th October, will you take up the worldwide challenge and make a 24 page comic in 24 hours?
A 24-hour comic is a 24-page comic book written, drawn, and completed in 24 hours and the rules of the challenge are that it must be begun and completed within 24 consecutive hours.
You may gather research materials and drawing tools beforehand, but cannot plan the comic’s plot ahead of time or put anything on paper (such as designs and character sketches) until you’re ready for the 24 hours to begin. Any breaks (for food, sleep, or any other purpose) are counted as part of the 24 hours.
If the cartoonist fails to finish the comic in 24 hours, there are two courses of action suggested: stop the comic at the 24-hour mark, or continue working until all 24 pages are done. The former is known as “the Gaiman variation” after Neil Gaiman’s unsuccessful attempt, and the latter is called “the Eastman variation” after Kevin Eastman’s unsuccessful attempt. Scott McCloud calls both of these “noble failures”,
Have Fun!
• Official Site: www.24hourcomicsday.com
• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is running a 24 Hour Comic Marathon inspired by this challenge, led by Dan Berry. More details here
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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