24 Hour Comics Day 2009: Finished!

I began my 24 Hour Comic yesterday morning at 9:00 am and finished at 6:30 am this morning, falling 8 panels shy (152) of my intended goal of 160 completed panels. Using the first random track to come up once the challenge began, I ended up titling my comic 'I Don't Wanna Rock 'N' Roll Tonight'a song by the Donnas. This was a much more specific title than last year's 'Perfect Gentleman'.

It was a much different experience this time around, as I knew what to expect from the challenge, and my approach to it. Just like last year I found that the most difficult stretch was hours 9 through 12. Fatigue starts to set in around then, and you still haven't reached the halfway point, so it gets pretty grueling in that period.

I also noticed some parallel elements with my comic from last year, possibly as a result or rereading that comic earlier this week. I probably shouldn't have done that.

I have apparently missed some sort of calling as a writer of dramatic Romance Comics, as that is what I deliberately wrote last year, and accidentally did this year (in a backhanded sort of way). It's funny the way these things run off on their own. I had a little trouble getting the story off the ground this time, as I'd intended to take a somewhat episodic comedic approach, but the drama swallowed up the comedy right at the halfway mark.

There is a particularly dark and uncomfortable scene that bugs me for the cruelty shown by 'Frank'. Late at night you can tap into some pretty weird bits of the subconscious, and this stuff often flows out without much thought.

Once again a really rewarding creative experience. I will most likely do it all again next year.

Here is the first part (of 26):