So, a year ago, I had this idea.
I've wanted to particpate in 24-Hour Comic Day for a while. It's a day when cartoonists get together and try to put together their own 24 page comic in 24 hours. It's like an ironman competition.
I thought it'd be fun it it was open to the general public. I had an idea of doing it in a gallery, working on a Wacom Cintiq which would pipe what I was drawing onto a big screen TV so that everyone could see. People could come, see the process and watch me put together a comic.
It'd be kind of like when Harlan Ellison would set up in the window of a bookstore and write a short story. Except my story probably won't be quite as awesome.
So, this year, it's happening.
On October 2nd, I'll be at the Great Lakes Mall on a stage down by Macy's and my mall-sponsor Comics and Friends. Wacom is generously loaning a Cintiq to me (that they'll probably have to pry from my cold dead hands to get back). Mentor TV is providing the big screen. I'm going to start at Noon on Saturday, and draw all the way through Noon on Sunday. I'll also be Twittering, Facebooking and uStreaming throughout the whole process.
And then collapse. Yeah, I see that happening for sure.
Here's the full press release:
LOVE AND CAPES ARTIST TO CREATE A COMIC IN 24 HOURS
Thom Zahler, Comics and Friends and Great Lakes Mall Participate in
“24 Hour Comics Day”
On Saturday October 2, Love and Capes creator Thom Zahler will be at Great Lakes Mall, in Mentor, Ohio, creating a 24-page comic book in 24 hours. As part of the national “24 Hour Comics Day", Zahler will be set up on a stage for all to see, working publicly throughout the day and into the next.
Wacom is providing Zahler with a Cintiq tablet which will be hooked up to a big screen television so that everyone can see what he’s working on.
“I think this is going to be a lot of fun,” says Zahler. “At least right now. By hour eighteen I’ll probably be cursing my own name. But I’m glad to let people get a close-up look at the creative process.”
In addition to watching Thom ply his craft, attendees will be able to create their own comic strip (no drawing ability necessary). Thom will also incorporate the audience into his comic creation, in the form of characters as well as other story ideas and details. Prizes will be given away throughout the day, courtesy of Comics & Friends, a comic book shop located in the Great Lakes Mall. Prizes will include comics-related merchandise: movies, video games, action figures and more.
Kick-off is at noon on Saturday, October 2nd. The public will be able to attend during mall hours until 9:00pm on Saturday and then beginning at 11:00am on Sunday. Zahler will also Twitter throughout the day (and night) and post live videos on his site.
About Great Lakes Mall
Great Lakes Mall is located at 7850 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio and is managed by Simon Property Group, Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Great Lakes Mall is anchored by Macy*s, JC Penney, Sears as well as two large Dillard’s department stores. Great Lakes Mall also features over 150 specialty stores including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Charlotte Russe, The Disney Store, Hollister Co., Talbot's, Ticknors, Victoria’s Secret, Yankee Candle and numerous eateries like Fuji Japan Steakhouse, Max & Erma’s and The Olive Garden. For more information, please contact Great Lakes Mall at (440) 255-6900 or visit www.ShopGreatLakesMall.com .
About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate company in the U.S. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 373 retail real estate properties comprising 256 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. Simon Property Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. The Company's common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.
About Thom Zahler
Thom Zahler is a comic book writer and artist, and creator of the Harvey Award nominated superhero romantic comedy comic Love and Capes. Zahler has also done cartooning and illustration for the Cleveland Indians “Slider” comic strip, the Lake County Captains, Prilosec, and recently illustrated a series of children’s books for Roarke Publishing. Further information about the artist can be found at www.thomz.com , and Love and Capes at www.loveandcapes.com