Review: Everybody Gets It Wrong, vol. 1

Everybody Gets It Wrong, vol. 1 is a collection of 24-hour comics by David Chelsea, arguably the master of 24-hours comics.  This collection includes six of his works, ranging in topics from religio-political satire (I realize I’m just trying to sound smart; live with it), the adventures of Bingo the Cat in Wonderland, an illustrated word game, and much much more.  The comics are quirky, silly, and just plain impressive!

First of all, I love that cover.  Just plain pretty.  But that is not the point of the comic; the point is to showcase David Chelsea’s amazing skill with 24-hours comics.

Now, 24-hour comics is pretty straight foreward: make a comic in 24-hours.  Seems simple right?  Well, there’s a little more to it than that.  You see, other than collecting all the supplies you’ll need together in one place, you can’t do anything until it starts: no characters, no pre-drawn cells, no plot concepts.  You have until 24-hours after you start, which means food, bathroom breaks and sleeping are all using up your precious time.  And you have to complete 24 pages of content all by yourself.  Most comics have two separate people do writing and art, but there’s no help allowed here.  It’s the NaNoWriMo, but for comics.

Most people do it to prove they can.  And as Nat Gertler points out in his introduction, most will fail the first couple of times.  Some will succeed and then go on to do it a few more times for the lessons they learn about time management techniques and, more importantly in the business of comic creation, time saving techniques.  David Chelsea has done fourteen 24 hours comics, six of which are in this volume, and suffice it to say, he’s past the point of gaining massive insights into technique.  Chelsea does it to see what comes out; to explore the freedom to go “Well that was interesting!” when he sees himself produce things that even he didn’t expect.

As far as my recommendation, I offer to you the beginning of the introduction by Gertler:

“Look, if you want a comics collection that’s like a perfect studio album, all recorded instrument by instrument and polished and remixed and refined by a team of top engineers, put this book down and grab the next one on the shelf… This is live Jazz.”

This is book for comic artists and people who want to be comic artists, and if that’s you: Get.  This.  Book (and participate in the next 24-hour comic day). It’s only $19.99, after all. If you are looking for a polished story like the comics you’re used to, go home reader, you’re drunk.

Matthew Bryant, aka Baker Street Holmes, is an editor at the Red Shirt Crew and tempted to try one of these himself.  He also realizes that he might have a slightly easier time than most, because his art would likely be stick figures.  Oh, well.  You can follow him on Twitter at @BStreetHolmes, or e-mail him at HMCrazySS@gmail.com.