Turn your comic idea into an actual comic

The first Making Your First Comic mentorship intake will begin in August 2026 and will be limited to just 10 creators.

Do you have an idea for a comic but do not know what to do next?

Perhaps you have started writing but become stuck. Maybe you are unsure how to structure your story, format a comic script or prepare your work for an artist.

Making Your First Comic is a practical monthly mentorship designed to help you develop your ideas, write your scripts and keep moving forward.

You will receive a structured weekly curriculum, personal feedback on your work, monthly Zoom sessions and access to a private community of creators working towards the same goal.

What is included

Your membership includes:

1. A complete 50 week comic writing curriculum
2. A practical assignment every week
3. Personal feedback on the work you submit
4. One live group Zoom session every month
5. Project discussions and questions
6. Access to the private Discord community
7. Comic script templates and development worksheets
8. Access to recordings of previous sessions
9. Guidance on developing, plotting and writing your comic
10. Advice on finding and approaching an artist
11. The freedom to cancel whenever you feel ready

Small groups and personal guidance

Each new intake is limited to a maximum of 10 creators.

Keeping the group small means I can get to know you, understand your project and provide useful feedback on the work you submit.

This is not simply a collection of videos that leaves you to figure everything out alone.

It is a structured programme that gives you something achievable to work towards every week, along with regular guidance to help you move forward.

What you could achieve

If you complete the full programme, you could finish with:

1. Three completed short comic scripts
2. A fully developed long form comic concept
3. A complete story outline
4. A detailed issue breakdown
5. Four completed and revised issue scripts
6. An artist brief and visual reference pack
7. An understanding of how to find and evaluate artists
8. A realistic plan for putting your comic into production

You do not need to complete all 50 weeks.

Week 20 provides a natural graduation point. By then, you could have three short scripts, a developed long form story and a polished first issue ready to show an artist.

You can then continue through the remaining curriculum or leave and carry on independently.

The curriculum

Weeks 1 to 10: Writing three short comics

You will learn the complete comic writing process by developing, plotting, writing and revising three short comic scripts.

Each story will become slightly more ambitious, helping you build confidence before attempting a full issue.

Weeks 11 to 20: Developing your main story

You will develop your long form comic concept, create a full story outline, break the story into individual issues and write the first and second drafts of Issue One.

Weeks 21 to 30: Writing Issue Two

You will plot, write and revise the second issue while beginning to think about production budgets, creative teams and artist requirements.

Weeks 31 to 40: Writing Issue Three and finding an artist

You will complete Issue Three while learning how to research artists, evaluate portfolios, prepare an artist brief and approach potential collaborators professionally.

Weeks 41 to 50: Completing the story

You will write and revise the final issue, review the complete story and prepare your project for production.

The programme uses a four issue miniseries as its main example, but the lessons can also be adapted for a one shot, graphic novel, webcomic or another appropriate format.

Weekly feedback

You can submit the assigned work each week for personal feedback.

To keep the feedback focused and useful:

1. One submission can be made each week
2. Submissions should relate to the current assignment
3. Script submissions are normally limited to 5 or 6 new pages
4. Outlines are normally limited to two pages
5. You should include one particular question or concern
6. Feedback focuses on story development, clarity and your next steps
7. Feedback does not include proofreading or rewriting the script for you
8. Missed submissions cannot be collected and submitted together later

Feedback will normally be returned within five working days.

Monthly Zoom sessions

Members receive access to one live group Zoom session every month.

Sessions may include:

1. Practical comic writing guidance
2. Discussions about member projects
3. Selected project reviews
4. Common writing problems and possible solutions
5. Questions and answers
6. Advice on working with artists and producing comics

Sessions will be recorded and added to the private member area whenever possible.

Private Discord community

You will also receive access to a private Discord community where you can:

1. Meet other aspiring comic creators
2. Share weekly goals
3. Discuss writing problems
4. Ask questions
5. Give and receive constructive peer feedback
6. Discuss artists and production
7. Celebrate completed scripts and pages

You retain complete ownership of your ideas, characters and scripts.

Members must not copy, distribute or use another creator’s unpublished work.

Who is this for?

This mentorship may be right for you if:

1. You have always wanted to make a comic
2. You have an idea but do not know what to do next
3. You have started writing but become stuck
4. You want to learn comic script formatting
5. You need structure and accountability
6. You would benefit from regular feedback
7. You want to prepare your script before hiring an artist
8. You want practical advice from someone who has made and published comics

You do not need previous writing experience.

You do not need to be able to draw.

You simply need an interest in making comics and a willingness to put the work in.

About your mentor

I’m Matt Garvey, a UK based comic writer and letterer with more than 15 years of experience creating independent comics.

During that time, I have:

1. Created and published more than 30 comics and graphic novels
2. Successfully funded 18 Kickstarter campaigns
3. Written practical books for new comic creators
4. Built a comic creation YouTube channel with approximately 250,000 views
5. Worked with artists, colourists and letterers around the world
6. Managed projects from the first idea through production, printing and fulfilment

I also make comics alongside a full time job and family commitments, so I understand what it is like to fit creative work around real life.

I will not promise to make you rich, get you published by Marvel or turn you into an overnight success.

What I can offer is honest, practical guidance based on years of making comics, making mistakes and learning how to finish them.

Membership price

£15 per month

There is no long term contract.

You can cancel whenever you feel ready to continue independently.

Access to the curriculum, feedback, Zoom sessions and Discord continues while your membership remains active.

First intake

The first intake will begin in August 2026.

Only 10 places will be available.

Once all 10 places have been filled, registration will close.

Start making your comic

You do not need to have everything figured out.

You do not need a completed script, an artist or a publishing deal.

You just need an idea, or the desire to find one, and the willingness to take the next step.

Join Making Your First Comic and start turning that idea into an actual comic.

Before you join

You must be aged 18 or over to purchase or participate in this mentorship.

The mentorship, group sessions and private creator community are intended to provide a professional, inclusive and supportive environment.

By purchasing, you confirm that you have read the Mentorship Community Standards and understand that you will be required to complete an electronic participation agreement after joining.

Read the Mentorship Community Standards HERE