Comics

2024 ShortBox Comics Fair, 24 SBCF comics

Zainab Akhtar‘s all-digital October online comic convention, the ShortBox Comics Fair, has returned in 2024 with 100+ artists. Each creator has a digital comic available through the SBCF website all month long. So no need to worry about the edition selling out, as long as you pick it up in time. Whether you’re a regular of the annual digital comicon or discovering it now for the first time, there’s going to be comics that surprise and delight you. Or disgust you, titillate your senses, break your heart, unlock a memory, summon a ghost that haunts you. Something you can anticipate is some of the strongest work in the medium of comics, a direct connection from creator to reader, right now.

Joe Sparrow's 2024 ShortBox Comics Fair posterJoe Sparrow's 2024 ShortBox Comics Fair poster
Joe Sparrow
Lucie Bryon's ShortBox Comics Fair comicLucie Bryon's ShortBox Comics Fair comic
Lucie Bryon

SBCF is made up of comics with a variety of lengths, subjects, and styles. I have picked 24 of 2024’s ShortBox Comics Fair releases, a half dozen or so by creators I am a big fan of, mostly stuff that looks cool to me. That said, this list is probably more reflective of what interests me personally in comics than it is of the whole of what the Fair has to offer.

SBCF’s digital releases are PDFs you purchase, download, and own. The money goes directly to each creator. There are no Fair costs for artists, no merch cut or table fee. Last year SBCF artists collectively made $400,000. Akhtar has been a physical book publisher, one of the most beloved in modern micropress scene, but found all the logistics of printing, distribution, and promotion were getting in the way of her love of editorial curation. SBCF isn’t about her success; it’s about elevating the creators.

Applications for next year’s SBCF are still open!

So where does one start elevating?

Jean Wei, a long-time ShortBox Comics Fair contributorJean Wei, a long-time ShortBox Comics Fair contributorHearth’s Haunting Jean Wei (Mending a Rift, Heat)
Hana ChataniHana ChataniCoppélia et Swanilda Hana Chatani (Give Her Back to Me)
Niv Sekar has several powerful short works for both the print ShortBox and the digital ShortBox Comics FairNiv Sekar has several powerful short works for both the print ShortBox and the digital ShortBox Comics FairWednesday’s Child Niv Sekar (Love in Space)
Michael Furler wrote Bark Bark Girl, one of my favorite graphic novels ever cartoon'd, and this ShortBox Comics Fair release is related to itMichael Furler wrote Bark Bark Girl, one of my favorite graphic novels ever cartoon'd, and this ShortBox Comics Fair release is related to itChild of Wrath Michael Furler (Bark Bark Girl)
Xulia VicenteXulia VicenteClair de Lune Xulia Vicente (I See a Knight)
winchestermegwinchestermegOn Her Own winchestermeg (Out of Style)
Theo Stultz, who appears in Lucky Pocket Press' Knapsack anthology and Peow2's Ex.Mag anthology this year, as well as the ShortBox Comics FairTheo Stultz, who appears in Lucky Pocket Press' Knapsack anthology and Peow2's Ex.Mag anthology this year, as well as the ShortBox Comics FairBlade of the Fane Theo Stultz
Laura Knetzger is known for YA series, but her ShortBox Comics Fair entry was written for more mature readersLaura Knetzger is known for YA series, but her ShortBox Comics Fair entry was written for more mature readersBeing Useful Laura Knetzger (Bug Boys)
Sloane HongSloane HongExpiry Date Sloane Hong (Marrow)
Sajan RaiSajan RaiALAS Sajan Rai
Bianca BagnarelliBianca BagnarelliDog Days Bianca Bagnarelli
ryugureryugureEve in her Estrangement ryugure
Asia MillerAsia MillerLindsey Cheng Dates a White Boy!!! Asia Miller
Cons OrozaCons OrozaMiau! Private Affairs Cons Oroza
PavinaPavinaBobo Has an Offer For You Pavina
Lily VieLily VieDOGBODY Lily Vie
SobsannixSobsannixFreelance Arsonist Sobsannix
L AdassovskyL AdassovskyHibernation Guide for Rabbits and Hares L Adassovsky
Simone Stehouwer, who put the ShortBox Comics Fair acronym and year on the coverSimone Stehouwer, who put the ShortBox Comics Fair acronym and year on the coverThe View From Up There Simone Stehouwer
mooooonbugmooooonbugThe Collapse of Brine City mooooonbug
LAWEYDLAWEYDThe Fool, the Absolute Mad Woman LAWEYD
Matt RockefellerMatt RockefellerFrogocalypse Matt Rockefeller
Lis XuLis XuThe Shit Witch Lis Xu
Otava HeikkläOtava HeikkläHome by the Rotting Sea Otava Heikklä

Again, this is less than a quarter of what is available digitally from the ShortBox Comics Fair!! From the first until Halloween, the convention doors are open to the entire world (wide web)- so if you’re interested in where the next generation of comics is at, if you want an idea for the potential the medium has, or if you long to be inspired about where comics are headed in the future, here it is.


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