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24 PANELS Anthology creator line-up revealed, includes Alex de Campi, Paul Cornell, Lizz Lunney, Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie, and many others

By John Freeman on August 22, 2018

US comics publisher Image Comics has announced more details of the forthcoming 24 PANELS Anthology, the charity comics project curated by Kieron Gillen (THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, PHONOGRAM) we highlighted earlier this year when a call for submissions went out.

This charity anthology will benefit the survivors of the Grenfell fire and Kieron has been supported by co-editors Steve Thompson and Rhona Martin, the book featuring work from some of the most celebrated storytellers and artists in the industry.

In June 2017, the Grenfell fire killed 72 people in a 24-story tower block in West London. 24 PANELS is an anthology comic to support the PTSD needs of the survivors.

The 24 PANELS Anthology will be comprised of 24 stories, each no longer than 24 panels. Half drawn from professional creators who volunteered their time and half drawn from open submissions, 24 PANELS is about community, hope, and (most of all) raising as much money as possible.

“These works are powerful but not saccharine… It’s an anthology in support of a traumatised society, so there is a limit to how dark you would want to go,” said Gillen in an interview about 24 PANELS with The Guardian.

“It can’t be triggering. It has a theme of what trauma does, how it’s survived, how community works and generally hope. There’s stories that are intensely moving, but even so, they’re intensely life-affirming. It’s as varied as London itself.”

Art from “Human Child” from the artist/letterer team of Laurie Penny, Gavin Mitchell and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

With design input from Dee Cunnliffe, contributors Al Ewing, Alan Moore, Alex de Campi, Antony Johnston, Caspar Wijngaard, Dan Watters, Dilraj Mann, Doug Braithwaite, Gavin Mitchell, Laurie Penny, Leigh Alexander, Lizz Lunney, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Melinda Gebbie, Paul Cornell, Rachael Smith, Ram V, Robin Hoelzemann, Rosy Higgins, Sara Kenney, Sarah Gordon, Ted Brandt, Tom Humberstone, Tula Lotay and more will contribute to 24 PANELS.

Lizz Lunney provides a trout-provoking tale for 24 PANELS

An illustrated poem, Alsn Moore’s comic, “If Einstein’s Right …”, touches on fragmentary moments from different lives and features a mug-shot image of Boris Johnson.

A panel from 24 PANELS – “If Einstein’s Right …” written by Alan Moore

Thompson added: “I took on this project because I’d seen before the power of asking creators to come together and give their time to help people. I have seen that translate into money that can make a real difference to those experiencing trauma and wanted 24 Panels to do all that while being about community and hope first and foremost. Kieron was the first person we spoke to from a long list of potential people to spearhead the project and he accepted right away which shows, I think, that he recognised that this project was important and could raise spirits as well as much-needed funds.”

Martin shared how important book it is to see 24 PANELS come to fruition. “My own experiences with PTSD led me to want to help those who suffer trauma themselves. While I can’t pretend to understand everyone’s personal experiences an unfortunate common bond is shared. I can see that help is needed and where it will make a difference. I wanted to make this book because I know the money raised will be spent by experts who share my need to see help and expertise directed to maximise impact. I want to thank both my co-editors for helping me realise 24 Panels and make it the great comic anthology it is!”

• 24 PANELS (Diamond Code SEP180079, ISBN: 978-1-5343-1126-8) will be available in comic book stores on Wednesday 21st November 2018. The final order cutoff for comics retailers is Monday 8th October.

It will be available in bookstores on Tuesday 27th November and can be pre-ordered at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Indiebound, and Indigo

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John Freeman

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.