What is a 24 hour comic?
Over a decade ago, famed cartoonist Scott McCloud challenged folks to write and draw a complete 24 page comics story in 24 consecutive hours, instead of the months it usually takes. He created the dare that you can see in its current form at right.
Who makes 24 hour comics?
People who have faced the challenge before range from a 7 year old boy to some of the most respected folks in the comics business. Neil Gaiman, best known for writing comics like Sandman and 1602 and prose novels like American Gods, has drawn one. So has Dave Sim of Cerebus, Dead@17’s Josh Howard, Scott “PVP” Kurtz, Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen, X-Men’s Paul Smith, and literally hundreds of amateur cartoonists. You don’t need a big name or a great drawing talent to make one. You need 24 hours, an imagination, and a willingness to use it.
What is 24 Hour Comics Day?
On April 23rd, amateur and professional cartoonists worldwide will sit down to create 24 hour comics. This was selected as the day for people who have heard about 24 hour comics and have always wanted to make one, always meant to make one, to finally put pen to paper and get it done.
A number of comics shops, schools, clubs, and museums around the world are hosting 24 Hour Comics Days events, bringing together local cartoonists in one location so that they can share energy and camaraderie, creating a rich creative atmosphere.
The version of Scott McCloud’s dare that you see at right is abridged. To see the full dare, with Scott’s suggestions, mailing address, and added rules for web-based 24 hour comics, surf on over to:
www.24HourComics.com Scott McCloud dares you:
To create a complete 24 page comic book in 24 continuous hours.
That means everything: Story, finished art, lettering, colors (if you want 'em), 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 'em in stone; print 'em with rubber stamps; draw 'em on your kitchen walls with a magic marker. Anything.
The 24 hours are continuous. You can take a nap if you like but the clock will continue to tick! 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 the 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.
When you're done, send me a photocopy (or link, in the case of webcomics). Yes, this is actually one of the "rules" (sometimes referred to as the "Rumpelstiltskin" rule). Inventor's prerogative!
My strongest suggestion is: Do it! It's fun, it's exciting, it's mind-altering, it'll teach you all kinds of cool stuff about yourself and – best of all – it's only one day, so what have you got to lose?
Best,
Scott McCloud
