24-Hour Comics Day

Austin Books would like to thank all participants and their friends and family who came out and did their thing. We had 74 participants who completed a Maileresque 911 pages, which was once again the largest turnout for one site in the whole entire world. Many (25) completed the whole 24 hours and/or 24 pages. It was a real celebration of the medium, and our staff really went all out to make sure everyone was as comfortable, well-fed, and over-caffeinated as possible. Thank you, Austin. And a special thanks to Red Bull and Sembei Rice Snacks for sponsorship. Check out some of the coverage of the event:News 8 Austin, Comicon.com, Daily Texan, and Newsarama.

--Your humble webmaster wishes to thank Brad, Brandon, Hershal, Megan, and especially Dave for staying there all night and keeping things going. While I only finished 14 pages (and an embarrassingly large portion of those being Xeroxes), I never once gave (serious) consideration to packing it in. It was great fun, thank God it's only once a year.

Copyright © 1983 The Washington Post Company and Berkeley Breathed

In 1990, Scott McCloud, creator of Zot!, author of Understanding Comics and Reinventing Comics and noted comic deconstructionist, hit upon the idea of creating a complete 24-page comic book in 24 hours. Part intellectual exercise, part endurance test, and partly as a way to force through the inertia that so often overtakes artistic types (L.A.S.). Whereas a typical comic book is created over the course of a month or more, with the writer, penciller, inker, and letterer taking their time to do each discrete piece of the job, the independent writer/artist has to wear many more caps for a much shorter period of time. The idea spread due to Scott's enthusiasm for the medium and his wide array of friendships within the professional community. Early partakers of this draft were Dave Sim, Steve Bissette, and Neil Gaiman. It was something that many other creators, professional and amateur, endeavored to complete in the past decade, but it had been only a novelty, or something done for the sake of seeing if it could be done. Two anthologies of these works have been published, 24 Hour Comics in 2003, and 24 Hour Comics All-Stars appearing recently in 2005.

In 2004, McCloud took the reins of the idea once again, and organized the first 24HCD. It was a rousing success of grass-roots creative activism. Dozens of stores hosted events in countries around the world, and hundreds of brand new pieces of art were created. All that were completed were submitted to McCloud, and the best 24 works were published in a huge anthology called 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2004. This year's event looks to be much bigger. As of last count 76 sites have been confirmed in 30 states plus 5 Canadian provinces, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Serbia, and Thailand.

What We Give You:
As it happens, Austin Books figured prominently in last year's event. We had the largest turnout of any location in the world with over 40 participants. Patrick Joseph, one of our store regulars, had his story, "NOW," selected to be published in the 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2004 anthology. And, of course, we aim to match and surpass that record this year. We've put a lot of work into planning this year's event and we are ready. According to an article in this week's Austin Chronicle, the French are trying to beat our record. There is absolutely no way in the multiverse that a bunch of French guys are going to do anything bigger than we do here deep in the heart of Texas.

Tables and chairs will be in great supply, of course, as well as a photocopier to aid in your work. Butt Xeroxes will not be tolerated until sometime after 4 am. We'll be able to print photo reference for anything that Google's Image Search can locate for you, and we'll have power for those who need it to run their own computers, pencil sharpeners, or margarita machines. (In fact, since last year we've added 16 power outlets in the ceiling, with drop-down cords, so there'll be more juice than that Tupac movie.) We have two bathrooms (but only one square of toilet paper). There'll be pillows and blankets for anyone who wants to "rest their eyes," and savage pillow beatings for anyone who actually drifts off to sleep.

What You'll Need to Bring:
Art supplies aplenty. We suggest bringing more than 24 sheets of paper, 'cause nobody's perfect. As far as we're concerned, there are no limits to the media you can use: pencils, pens, markers, crayons, blood (yours or someone else's), clip art, computers... whatever. The only limits are self-imposed. Why are you boxing yourself in like that? Push the paradigm! Max the envelope!

If you've got your own mini-comics that you'd like to hawk at the event, we'll sell them at the register on consignment, for a 70/30 split. Possibly in your favor.

Also, we strongly recommend that you arrange for a ride. The reasons are twofold (as all the best reasons are): (1) there's only so much parking, and we'd like to retain at least a couple of spots for weekend shoppers, and (2) after being awake for 24 straight hours, nobody needs to get behind the wheel. The Number 1 bus goes right by the front door if you have no ride. Or even if you do.

What Else?
WiFi? Yes!
Community Computer with a printer? Yes!
All graphic novels, trade paperbacks, manga collections, and hardcovers at 24% off cover price from midnight to 7 am? Yes! So even if you aren't participating, you still have a reason to be at the comic shop late.

We're always open to your suggestions on how to make this event as memorable, comfortable, enjoyable and profitable as possible. You can reply to this email, or talk to us in person at the store. Although that's dangerous, because everyone knows that all conversations that take place at a comic shop eventually devolve into "Hal vs. Kyle" arguments.

Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell that one guy who's always hanging out in the dorm's common room designing dragon tattoos. We're building an army here. Help us help you to help us make 24HCD 2005 the mammoth event it deserves to be.

A 24-Hour Comics Day Checklist
Here is a list of useful things you might wanna bring that you might forget till you get here and realize you need them but can't spare the valuable time it takes to run down to the art supply store so make sure you peruse this list first. You might be able to share with others, but there's no guarantees anyone else remembered to bring anything, either. There is Asel Art Supply on MLK and Guadalupe, and the UT Coop sells art stuff, so if you do absolutely need something, it is accessible.

Go, and remember 3 things.

1. Character is what you are in the dark.
2. Always do the right thing.
3. No matter where you go, there you are.

P.S. 1983? Are you kidding me? The Bloom Country strip is from 22 frickin' years ago? Jesus, I feel old all of a sudden. Seriously, wouldn't it be awesome if UT Alum Berke Breathed returned to Austin to participate in 24 Hour Comics Day here at Austin Books? Wouldn't that be great? I'd be into it.