| What is a 24 Hour Comic?
It's the ultimate cartooning challenge: 24 completed pages
in 24 uninterrupted hours. Pencilled, inked, lettered and any
other necessary steps to have a complete, physical (or digital)
copy of a finished comic. No preparation beforehand allowed.
No collaborations or assistance. Just you, your materials, and
your own creativity.
 Who
came up with the idea of the 24 Hour Comic?
A cartoonist named Scott
McCloud. He's generally considered to be one of the world's
foremost experts on comics theory. In addition to writing and
drawing several of his own comics, he regularly teaches classes
and seminars on comic art. He's published several books addressing
the unique nature of comic storytelling, Understanding
Comics being the most famous.
Scott conceived the idea of the 24 hour comic (24 is roughly
the number of pages in a traditional comic book) as a dare to
a fellow artist. He also managed to complete
the very first 24 Hour Comic.
Can you "win"?
It isn't a competition, it's more of a personal creative challenge.
I suppose you could say that you've "won" if you complete
the 24 pages in 24 hours, but I'm not even sure if that's true.
Simply taking on the challenge with the serious intent to make
it is a success in my book.
How many cartoonists have tried to do this?
At this writing, over a thousand. Scott McCloud has done his
best to index the 24 Hour Comics available on the web on
this page.
Are 24 Hour Comics ever published anywhere?
There are a few anthologies available at the official
24 Hour Comics website. The books reprint some of the best
and brightest 24 Hour Comics, many of which were produced by
established comic professionals (an interesting read with intimidating
levels of quality and craft, particularly if you know what it's
like to produce a 24 Hour Comic). Also, a Highlights anthology
is published each year. It's an eclectic sampling of that year's
24 Hour Comics.
So, it's sort of like winning if you get in the Highlights
book, then?
No. The anthology is just a cool bonus. The challenge is its
own reward.
 What
is 24 Hour Comics Day?
It's a specific day of the year for cartoonists to take the
challenge. Events are held at comic shops and other locations
all over the world on 24 Hour Comic Day.
Can you do a 24 Hour Comic on another day?
Of course! (Unfortunately, you're not eligible to make it into
the Highlights book, though.)
It's pretty cool to actually do it on the day, though. There's
a lot of energy and support from the cartooning community to
go the distance.
Do you have to use pencils. inks, and paper to do
a 24 Hour Comic?
No, it can be any medium you like. Traditionally, comics are
done in black ink on paper (for reproduction purposes), but
it's not a hard-and-fast rule. 24 Hour Comics have been done
with pencils, pens, brushes, digital media... even photography.
It's still 24 pages in 24 hours.
(In the case of web comics, a minimum 100 panels is required.)
What if I want to collaborate on a 24 Hour Comic with
a friend?
Go for it. It's just not a true 24 Hour Comic.
What if I decide to split it into segments... like
12 hours one weekend and 12 hours another weekend?
Sounds good. It's just not a true 24 Hour Comic.
Does it count if I don't finish? Or if I need a little
extra time?
According to McCloud, there are a couple of variations on the
24 Hour Comic. They're not 24 Hour Comics in the strict, by-the-rules
sense, but it's the thought that counts. That said...
The Eastman Variation: Named for Kevin Eastman (creator
of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Kevin discovered that
he needed a bit more time to finish his comic, so he purposed
to stay awake until it was finished, several hours late. But
at least he finished.
The Gaiman Variation: Named for Neil Gaiman (novelist
and creator of The Sandman). Neil quickly discovered that
he wouldn't make the deadline, so he endeavored to do as much
as he could, stopping at the 24 hour mark.
Do you have to be an artist or cartoonist to participate?
Nope, it's open to anyone.
SHOULD non-artists or non-cartoonists participate?
Er.
You know, before I took the challenge, I'd have said, "Absolutely!
Anyone and everyone should give it a shot!" After having
done it, though... I think it's a cool, mind-blowing experience,
but I can easily see it devolving into an excercise in frustration
for those who rarely or never draw. Like any creative challenge,
I suppose you get out of it what you put in, but make no mistake:
this is an enormously difficult 24 hours. Recommending a 24
Hour Comic to someone who never draws is a bit like recommending
a Marathon to someone who never runs.
But, what do I know? I say go for it.
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