Comic Book in a Day, presented by Browning Day, is celebrating 10 years and this is sure to be the best year yet! Create a comic book from scratch in just 8 hours with the help of our professional Featured Artists!
This year’s even will take place on Saturday, January 21 from 9:00 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Ignite Studio at the Fishers Library. In-person and virtual options are available! Our Featured Artists Stuart Sayger and Gavin Smith will be creating along side you all day and will be available for questions and coaching. Extra-special this year will be our superstar Featured Artist: long-time professional comic artist, writer and playwright Bob Hall.
Ready to sign up for the Challenge now? Click here!
You can also sign up for free one-hour workshops to help you prepare (view the Ignite calendar here). The day of the event, you can drop in any time to meet Gavin, Stuart and Bob, see what our Challenge Artists have created, and try some all-ages activities for yourself. You can also follow along with the challenge on our Facebook page!
Event Summary: Comic Book in a Day, Sat., January 21st, from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Calling all sequential art and superhero fans for our tenth annual comic book event! Admission to this event is FREE! Participation in the Comic Book Challenge costs $30 and requires advance registration. Scholarships are available for anyone who cannot afford the registration fee: just contact us!
- 2023 Comic Book Challenge: Participating Challenge Artists will create their own comic book over the course of one action-packed day. Sign-up for the Challenge by filling out the form below and pay your registration fee by clicking here.
- Featured Comic Book Artists: Nationally recognized, professional comic book artists will support our Challenge Artists, by providing expert advice, demonstrations, and stories from he comic book industry. They will be creating artwork throughout the day and will serve as judges for the Comic Book Challenge. They will also host free workshops in the days leading up to the Challenge! See below for more details on these workshops
- Drop-in Activities: The Ignite Studio will have several comic-book themed activities for all ages. While you’re here, you can also meet our Featured Artists and see what the Challenge Artists have created so far! This is a great way to learn more about comics, test your creative skills, and get inspired.
- Presentations: Each Challenge Artist will present their finished artwork in the last hour of the day. This is always the most fun part of the day! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be amazed by the Challenge Artists’ creativity! This is open to all!
- Awards Ceremony: TENTATIVE: Our current plan is to hold our Awards Ceremony on at the end of Comic Book in a Day on Jan 21st. If the judges are unable to make a final decision, we will schedule the Awards Ceremony for Feb 3rd at Nickel Plate Arts in Noblesville as part of our First Friday open house. Who will take home cash, art supplies and the all-important championship belt this year?
Note: all plans are subject to change. Please check back and sign up for our newsletter to stay in the Comic Book in a Day loop!
2023 Workshops - January 4, 12, 17, 19
Gear up for Comic Book In A Day by participating in one of our Creative Warm-Up Workshops in January at the Ignite Studio at the Fishers Libary. You can attend these workshops even if you don’t plan to attend the Challenge.
Wednesday, January 4, 2-3 p.m.: Comics Demo – Turning Everyday Experiences into Great Comics
Free
Reigning Comic Book in a Day champion Ella Satterfield has a knack for taking something simple and turning it into a great story. Join her for a live demo of her storytelling skills while she makes a mini-comic using digital tools like Procreate and Photoshop. Don’t miss out on these great tips and tricks. No registration necessary: just stop by Ignite to see Ella in action.
Thursday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.: Creative Warm-Up
Free
Delve into the basics of visual storytelling with artist and improviser Bill Wilkison as you learn how to develop a narrative and characters. Whether you’re competing as a challenge artist or just getting started with comic creation, this workshop offers a chance to flex your creative muscles. Registration begins two weeks prior to class. Ages 8 and up. Sign up here.
Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 p.m.: What Makes a Comic Book?
Free
Comic Book Pro Gavin Smith will help you discover the elements of a comic book and how to knit them all together to tell a visual story. From layout and lettering to color and dialogue, this crash course covers the tools you’ll need to make a great comic book story. You’ll walk away ready to create the next great graphic story. Registration begins two weeks prior to class. Ages 8 and up. Sign up here.
Thursday, January 19, 6:30 p.m.: Unconventional Comics
Free
Comic Book Pro Stuart Sayger will encourage you to think outside of the panel as you gear up for Comic Book in a Day 2023. Once you’ve learned the rules, half of the fun is breaking them. Join us for a look at some unconventional comic books and their creators, and find inspiration for your next comic creation. Registration begins two weeks prior to class. Ages 8 and up. Sign up here.
We might add more workshop in the days ahead! Check Ignite’s Calendar for the latest!
Workshop schedules and formats are subject to change.
2023 Schedule of Events- Saturday, January 21
Follow along with the Challenge Artists’ progress by dropping in at the Hamilton East Public Library or by tuning into our Facebook Page. Here’s our schedule of events for the day:
9:00 a.m: The Challenge Begins! We’ll have each artist introduce themselves and we’ll review the Rules & Regulations for the contest! We plan to simul-cast this on Facebook Live.
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Drop-in Activities: All day long, we will provide activities for all ages, including activities related to creating comic books, as well as a Community-Sourced Comic Book activity where you can add a panel to a story that we are building collaboratively with everyone who attends the event. Experts from Moonshot will be on hand to answer any and all of your comic book questions and to help you start your comic book collection (comics will be for sale). You can also chat with our Featured Artists, our Guest Artists, and our Challenge Artists to learn more about comics, art and more!
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Welcome to Funk World: Meet past Comic Book in a Day competitors-turned-media-superstar Jason Funk. Learn how Comic Book in a Day led to a fantastic collaboration that has allowed Jason Funk to share his’s original content and wonderful sense of humor through his “Funk World” web comic.
Time TBD: Meet Returning Champion Ella Satterfield: We’ll interview Ella Satterfield, our reigning winner, about her experience, what the contestants might be feeling right now, and she’s learning as a first-year student at Ringling College of Art & Design!
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Handwriting & Lettering Guided Activity: President of Fishers Arts Council and Member of the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana, Laura Villanyi has put together a great activity to help you practice your lettering skills and get ready to letter your own comic book! Drop in anytime between 12:30 and 4 to participate!
3:00 p.m.: The Final Countdown: Our Challenge Artists will enter the final hour of the challenge!
4:00 p.m.: The Celebration and Awards: Each Challenge Artist will give a 2-minute presentations on what they created during the Challenge. This is always the most fun part of the day, when we get to see the amazing things each person created. Our Judges will also have the hard job of selecting winners and presenting our prizes! We plan to simul-cast this on Facebook Live.
Voting on Facebook: We’ll post everyone’s work in a Facebook album and you can vote for your favorite! The artist who gets the most likes will win the People’s Choice Award!
The Reunion: Join us Feb 3rd during First Friday to mix and mingle with some of our artists and revisit the high points of the event. This is also when we will reveal the People’s Choice Award winner! We’ll have a hybrid gathering to share the good news!
Check back often for the latest details and stay up-to-date on Facebook!
The 2023 Challenge
Calling comic book artists of all skill levels! Sign up to be a a Challenge Artist and create a comic book from scratch in just 8 hours during our annual signature event.
Showcase your drawing skills, on paper or digitally, and compete to win prizes, including art supplies, comic books, and even CASH! Gain exposure as an artist by engaging with local community members and fellow comic book enthusiasts. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by both professional and amateur comic book artists, so you’ll build a network of peers who can help cheer you along in your artistic efforts!
All work must be new and created during the event; no working ahead or using previously-created characters or scenarios allowed.
Check out all of the Rules & Regulations: Comic Book in a Day Rules & Regulations
Ready to sign up for the challenge? CLICK HERE.
You can also follow along with the Challenge Artists’ progress by tuning into our Facebook Page. The Schedule of Events appears below!
We look forward to an awesome Comic Book in a Day event this year!
Rules and Regulations for The Challenge
The Comic Book in a Day Challenge is a unique endurance tests for artists of all ages and skill levels. Can you create a comic book from scratch in 8 hours? We guarantee that it is both easier AND harder than you think, but we can also guarantee that you will have fun meeting other artists, challenging yourself, and being a part of this one-of-a-kind event.
Before you commit to the Challenge, please review the newly-updated rules & regulations: 2023 Comic Book in a Day Rules & Regulations
2023 Winners
Previous Years' Info:
2022 Comic Book in a Day Winners
Congratulations to our 2021 winners:
Best Overall: Ella Satterfield
Best Art: Luis & Mateo Chavez
Best Story: Greg Clack
Emerging Artist: Coco Jay
Most Ambitious: Joey Haas
Most Creative: Thadeus Shipley
Most Polished/Professional: Erik Lundorf
Best Image #1: Sarah Butler Evans
Best Image #2: Cleo Tudor
Judges’ choices: Dexter Tudor & Cam Reinhardt, Eric Utterback, Henry Nguyen, Soren Acker
People’s Choice Award: Soren Acker
These stories will be published in a printed book that will be available at Nickel Plate Arts for $15 on or before Jan 21st, 2024. In the meantime, you can view last year’s challenge artist pages by clicking here.
2022 Schedule of Events: Saturday, Jan 22
Follow along with the Challenge Artists’ progress by tuning into our Facebook Page. Here’s our schedule of events for the day:
9:00 a.m: The Challenge Begins! All of our Challenge Artist will log into Zoom to review the rules and regulations
9:30 a.m: Introductions: Meet each off our Challenge Artists and Featured Artist Coaches Live on Facebook
11:00 a.m.: Challenge Update: The Featured Artist Coaches – Stuart Sayger, Victor Dandridge, Aaron Boggs and Kevin Bixby – will discuss how the Challenge is unfolding and share tips and tricks that may come in handy throughout the day!
12:00 p.m.: Meet Returning Champion Kevin Bixby: We’ll interview Kevin Bixby, our reigning winner, about his experience, what the contestants might be feeling right now, and making mini comics (his speciality!).
CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS: 12:30 p.m.: Welcome to Funk World: Meet past Comic Book in a Day competitors turned collaborators. Learn how Yuri Duncan and Jason Funk’s unique partnership came about and a get a peek at their “Funk World” web comic.
1:00 p.m.: Comics are Cute: Former Champion Sarah Butler is an expert in making comics cute. Hear some tricks and tips to make your illustrations extra adorable.
1:30 p.m.: Meet Adam Fields: Join our former Champion as he shares his three favorite tips for bringing illustrations to life with ink and color and talks about his latest professional projects!
2:00 p.m.: Telling Episodic Stories: Ever looked forward to the latest issue of your favorite comic hitting the stands? Sterling Clark breaks down the process of transforming your characters into the stars of their own comic series.
2:30 p.m.: Erik Lundorf’s Expressive Faces: Facial expressions are key to giving your characters emotional depth that moves your story forward. Join Erik Lundorf for a crash course on using facial expressions to further your story.
3:00 p.m.: The Final Countdown: Our Challenge Artists will enter the final hour of the challenge!
4:00 p.m.: The Celebration: Tune in to hear 2-minute presentations from our Challenge Artists. This is always the most fun part of the day, when we get to see the amazing things each person created.
Voting on Facebook: We’ll post everyone’s work in a Facebook album and you can vote for your favorite! The artist who gets the most likes will win the People’s Choice Award!
The Awards Ceremony: Join us Feb 4th during First Friday to learn who won this year’s Challenge. We’ll have a hybrid gathering to share the good news!
Check back often for the latest details and stay up-to-date on Facebook!
2021 Comic Book in a Day Winners
Congratulations to our 2021 winners:
Best-Overall: Kevin Bixby
People’s Choice: Ella Satterfield
Best Story: Joseph Haas
Best Art: Kenna Al-Sayed
Best Emerging Artist: Ella Satterfield
Most Ambitious: Dexter Tudor
Most Fearless: Eve Eggleston
Most Creative: Thaddeus Shipley
Best Panel/Next Year’s Cover: Gabrielle Zacherl and Raquel DiGregory
Best Panel/Next Year’s Cover: Angela Spires
Judge’s Favorites:
Stuart Sayger: Mia Noel
Victor Dandridge: Kelsey Simpson
Yuri Duncan: Jason Funk
Sarah Butler: Albert Cheung
These stories will be published in a printed book that will be available at Nickel Plate Arts for $15 by Jan 22nd, 2022. In the meantime, you can view challenge artist pages by clicking here.
2019 Comic Book in a Day Award Winners
Here are the award winners for our 2018 Comic Book in a Day:
Best Overall: Raquel & Gabrielle Zacherl
Best Art: Lina Carter
Best Story: Christina Erin
Most Creative: Andi Overman
Most Ambitious: Jason Funk
Best Panel: Miranda Luttrell, Sarah Butler
Emerging Artist: Aaron Boggs
Congratulations to the award recipients. We’re proud of the incredible artwork that everyone produced!
Special thanks to Hamilton East Public Library’s Ignite Studio for letting us use your phenomenal space.
Special thanks to our featured comic book artists and judges for the event: Sterling Clark, Stuart Sayger, and Victor Dandridge.
2018 Comic Book in a Day Award Winners
Here are the award winners for our 2018 Comic Book in a Day:
Best Overall: Kenna Al-Sayed
Best Art: Erik Lundorf
Best Story: Gabrielle & Raquel Zacheri
Most Creative: Yuri Duncan
Most Ambitious: Mason Yeater
Best Panel: Alyse McMiller, Joey Haas
Rising Star: Jason Funk
Congratulations to the award recipients. We’re proud of the incredible artwork that everyone produced!
Special thanks to Hamilton East Public Library’s Ignite Studio for letting us use your phenomenal space.
Special thanks to our featured comic book artists and judges for the event: Sterling Clark, Stuart Sayger, and Victor Dandridge.
SPONSORS:
We have opportunities for sponsorships for our 2023 challenge! Contact Aili or fill out the form below to find out how to sponsor this amazing event!
Featured Artists for 2023
Bob Hall has worked in the comics industry for more than forty-five years, starting at Charlton Comics in 1974, then taking a course in creating comics taught by the legendary John Buscema. At the end of the class, Buscema recommended Hall to Archie Goodwin, Editor-In-Chief at Marvel, as a penciler. Bob was then thrown into drawing a group book, The Champions, written by Bill Mantlo. Over the next fifteen years, Hall drew most of Marvel’s Major books and characters, The Champions, Doctor Doom, the Red Skull, The Avengers, The West Coast Avengers, The Squadron Supreme, Spider-man, including Spider-Man meeting the original Saturday Night Live cast, Thor, Nick Fury, Moon Knight, one issue of The New Mutants, and What If Conan Were Trapped In the Twentieth Century, Part 2. He also did a slew of Movie adaptations including Willow, Dark Man, and arguably the worst superhero movie ever, the 1980s Captain America. On the other hand, check out the graphic novel, Emperor Doom, probably Hall’s best work for Marvel.
In 1977, Jim Shooter, the new Editor-In Chief, offered Hall a job as one of a new group of sub-editors. He signed on for a six-month tenure and those six months in the bullpen gave Bob the opportunity of working with some of the most talented people in the comics field: Shooter, Stern, Salicrup, Giacoia, both Buscemas, Colan, Janson, Rubenstein, Layton, Marie Severin, Byrne, Jo Duffy, Claremont, and many others.
In the 1990s, Jim Shooter invited Hall to write for his new company Valiant and asked Hall to choose one of four different titles. Shadowman, set in New Orleans, featuring a musician and involving voodoo, captured Hall’s imagination. He wrote, and eventually drew the book for thirty-five issues. Bob then moved on to create Armed and Dangerous, which he considers his finest work in comics. The late Dennis O’Neill later gave Hall work at DC doing special project Batman stories: I, Joker; It’s Jokertime and Batman D.O.A.
In 2001, Bob founded a Shakespeare Festival in Lincoln, and for the next fifteen years ran Flatwater Shakespeare.
In the last few years, Bob has done a variety of projects, everything from illustrated poems, to portraits, to comics stories, and appeared at numerous comic cons here, there, and everywhere. Learn more about Bob by listening to this great podcast by journalist Larry Lannan!
Stuart Sayger
Stuart Sayger is a professional illustrator who works primarily in the comic book industry. Known for his moody atmospheric art Sayger first broke into the industry as the creator of SHIVER IN THE DARK, producing the comic independently from start to finish.
Sayger’s recent published projects include: “Kiss”, “Vampirella vs Reanimator”, “Army of Darkness”, and “G.I.Joe”. Sayger has also produced covers for “Xena Warrior Princess” and “Dejah Thoris” for Dynamite Entertainment, as well as”Rom” and “Micronauts” for IDW, among many others. Stuart also recently released the 20th Anniversary edition of his own comic line “Shiver in the Dark.” Toy fans will remember Stuart’s work from a 2-year run drawing the “Bionicle” comic book based on the popular Lego toy line of the same name. The series was translated to 8 different languages and distributed internationally boasting the largest circulation of any comic book in the world!
Gavin Smith is a freelance artist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He’s worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW), Star Trek: Resurgence (IDW), Dead Legends (A Wave Blue World), Heavy Metal Magazine, The Accelerators (Blue Juice Comics), , and The Good Fight illustrating a story by Mark Waid, among many other titles. He got his start after graduating from the Joe Kubert School in 2011 and self publishing an issue of a creator owned comic “Human City”.
Get Involved
We’re weaving together the fabric of our community. Add your thread during Comic Book in a Day by becoming an event sponsor or attending! If you’re into comic books or simply interested in sequential art, we’ve got something for you.
We’re Blushing
“I loved the community aspect of working with other artists. It was great kicking around various ideas with other artists, as well as just watching them create in their own space. The creativity of the environment really helped feed my creativity and artistic energy.”
– Chris Dunn –
Epic Comic Book Prize
You’re invited to the Challenge Artist Awards ceremony on the evening of Feb 3to see the sum total of all of the artists’ hard work, celebrate with those who stood up to the challenge, and find out who will take home the official Championship Belt (yes, it’s a real belt with lots of shiny “gold”). Join us for the fun — for free!
Visit our calendar to find and register for the event you want to attend.
Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for this event?
Each person, organization and business has a thread to contribute to make the fabric of our community a better place to live. You can share your thread with us by becoming a corporate sponsor. Complete the form here to start a conversation.
You know the value of a picture, so instead of reading 1,000 words, check out photos from past Comic Book in a Day events.
