Inside Neil Gibson’s Twisted Comics Patreon: New Content, Rewards & Creator Insights

A call to action for all Twisted Comics fans and aspiring comic book creatives. Entertain, educate, surprise and leave people thinking. This is a mantra - or mission statement, depending on your level of fandom - for creative endeavours. It comes from the devilishly prolific talent behind a multitude of exceptional comics. These include the Twisted Dark series, Theatrics, Tuned, The Traveller, Amputation Capital, and Trapped, as well as recent Black Mirror collaborations such as USS Callister. I am, of course, talking about Neil Gibson. Writer, renowned publisher, and founder of Twisted Comics - and more specifically, Neil Gibson's Twisted Comics Patreon.

In this age of capitalism, many creators cannot rely on their creations alone to speak and sell themselves. It is a well-established norm to sell yourself as a product too. An enjoyable trend I have noticed amongst comic book creative types is a steering of this market necessity toward something genuinely worthwhile. Rather than simply selling themselves, many creators offer a peek behind the curtain. A front row seat on the making of the special sauce, to play with a few idioms.

Artists offer live drawing sessions and lessons. Writers often offer editorial services or exclusive early previews. And the really brave - Neil in particular - offer a little extra. No little thing, that.

Alongside the usual exclusive stories and early previews of art and finished pages, Neil also provides how-to videos. These cover every area of the comic book creation process. On top of all that, he holds what can best be described as write-along live sessions. That's where you get to really see the magic happen.

I recently took part in one of these and can tell you it was an absolutely fascinating experience. For what felt like the fastest hour and a half I have ever experienced, Neil read through a new script. In its first draft form, no less (bravery right there). It was for a new comic currently in the works.

This wasn't the passive experience you might expect, however. Twisted attendees - deviants, us all - were actively encouraged to participate and chime in. Whether Neil was looking for advice or viewers felt something needed amending, contributions were welcomed at any point.

Now, I have to say, not really knowing what to expect for the first time around, I had little to contribute. I was influenced by a 50/30/20 split of old-fashioned British politeness, low self-worth in writing ability, and slow tech usage. But it was great to see a rich and personal view into Neil's writing process. Also on display was a crowd-sourced approach akin to a writers' room, as the story was influenced and developed in real time.

There is something extremely valuable in this experience for a wide audience. Any fan of Neil's work will relish the exclusive early preview of upcoming projects, as well as the thoroughly interesting technical insight into his writing process. Aspiring writers will absorb this latter trait while also finding opportunity to lift their own skills. They can exercise contributions or work alongside Neil directly.

There is also the tangible and vital feeling of community being nourished here. A regular gathering of this mix of aspiring creatives and avid fans, communing in such an active way, can't help but lift all those involved.

That's what hopefully brings you this far into this article.

I'm not sure I can really do justice to how interesting this experience is. But if the elements I have described so far weren't enough, know this: by the end of the session, we'd only got halfway through the script. I was on tenterhooks. I had hastily scribbled notes, already forgotten, and fully bought into the developing story. I was desperate to see where it was going. Then, just as it all seemed ready to kick into a typically Twisted Comics new gear, time was called.

As I said, it had been an hour and a half, so it was a reasonable endpoint. But believe me when I say the story was that good. So, how do you get involved? Well, it couldn't be simpler. Twisted Comics Patreon subscribers get access to this and so much more - with more information to be found here.

"Oh, so this was all just some elaborate advertisement. I bet they get a kickback on this sort of thing. Bloody capitalism!" I hear the cynics who are channelling their inner Rick snort.

Well, no - not entirely accurate. There will be no kicks in any direction. No brown envelopes - neither digital nor physical - passing for this endorsement. This is simply an overenthusiastic fan sharing their experience. And, in a further gesture of good faith, an offer: try the Twisted Comics Patreon yourself for three months completely free. How's that?!

Simply take advantage of the perversely-decently shared link below before the 5th of June, or while places still last: https://www.patreon.com/NGTwistedComics/redeem/AB57B - take that capitalism.