Tease of the Month: Neil Gibson

Finally, here’s presenting some excerpts from our exclusive interview with Gibson!

ST. Comic book art has changed over the years, do you think it has been for the good or the bad? And why?
NG. It’s a bit of both. Compare renaissance artwork to medieval art and I think the vast majority of people are glad for the improvement. Art improves over time and that’s a great thing. However, when the art becomes the focus of a comic, I think you start to lose the essence of a comic. Comics are one of the ultimate form of communicating stories and ideas. But when the art is so good that people stop reading the story and take time to appreciate the art, it takes them out of the story.

Now some people just buy comics for the art, and great art does deserve to be appreciated, but you cannot have page after page of incredible visuals without compromising the storytelling. SO I think better art is a great thing, as long as the art is used to compliment the story and not stand out on its own. Stand-alone art books (though valid pieces of entertainment) are not comic books.

ST. According to you, what three graphic novels should be read by everyone?
NG: Watchmen, Maus, Fables volumes 1t o 11 (oh, and Twisted Dark!)

ST. Some say that there are no bad comic books, do you agree?
NG: I TOTALLY disagree!!! There is rubbish in EVERY medium – just turn on some daytime TV to see for yourself. But every medium also has brilliance in it.

ST. Finally, your message to all your fans in India.
NG: Let me know which comic book convention you’d like me to attend. My Mum’s from India and I saw my grandma recently. She lives off Brigade Road in Bangalore. I would love to help bring awareness to comics in India.