Kazmierczak to combat cancer with 24-hour comic challenge

Comic creator Russ Kazmierczak in Drawn to Comic window (courtesy Susan Brown, Drawn to Comics.) — Amazing Arizona Comics’ creator, Russ Kazmierczak, takes 24-Hour Comic challenge in Drawn to Comic window (*photo courtesy Susan Brown, Drawn to Comics*.)

Superhero comics are known for their fantastic fights and amazing adventures, but this weekend (June 25 – 26) you can witness local comic creator, Russ Kazmierczak, combat the deadliest menace of all while he earns donations for the American Cancer Society though his 24-Hour Comic Challenge.

The “24-hour Comic” was originally created by cartoonist, Scott McCloud, in 1990; and the event has morphed into a creative challenge that thousands of artists have attempted over the years. The “Screw Cancer 24-Hour Comic” will mark Kazmierczak’s second go at the endeavor, with his first successful attempt taking place last summer in the window of C-MOD in Phoenix.

For this event, Kazmierczak (who also hosts Arizona’s live, local talk show, Phoenix Tonight) will be in the display window of Glendale’s Drawn to Comics shop from 2 p.m. Saturday thru 2 p.m. Sunday, creating the 24 full-pages that will make up his ~~July~~ August issue of Amazing Arizona Comics, which features incredible Arizona-centric superheroes and southwestern culture.

“This year, after artist Darwyn Cooke passed away from cancer, I decided to use the event as an opportunity to raise money for the American Cancer Society,” said Kazmierczak. “Ken (Brown) at Drawn to Comics kindly agreed to be the host – I’m especially fond of his big storefront window display. I’ll be like a human zoo exhibit!”

Each hour of the event has been sponsored by a local artist, business or organization, which will in turn be noted at the bottom of the page created during their 1-hour block of the comic challenge. Onlookers and comic fans are also encouraged to get involved by contributing donations during the event.

“My goal was $250, and as of this writing I’ve reached that goal. The Valley boasts a wide variety of artists, from cartoonists to comedians to podcasters and more, and our donation to ACS is on behalf of that community. I’m honored to be a part of it!”