Comic Lab

After years of listening to Brad and Dave extoll the virtues of self-publishing, a ComicLab listener signed with a corporate publisher. Poor sales and paltry marketing left them dissatisfied, so of course, they wrote in with one burning question: Who should I sign with next? Also, should you ever explain a joke? Topics The first publisher was a disappointment... and we want to try it again illustr...

BlueSky is beginning to feel like Twitter did ten years ago! Engagement is up, conversations are happening, and follower counts are rising — with actual people! Is it too good to be true? Also, encouraging your readers to take a hand in writing your comic may be good community building... but is it good writing? On today's show UPDATE: Is BlueSky IT?  Collaborative storytelling — letting your read...

Cartoonists Dave and Brad share some thoughts with a young humor writer trying to find their Funny. Also: Is BlueSky pulling ahead in the social-media race? Today's show: Writing jokes faster UPDATE: Patreon opens recommendations for NSFW creators UPDATE: TikTok court case moves forward Putting social media into perspective Making drawing fun again Summary In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dav...

Having wrapped up his 16th Kickstarter, cartoonist Dave Kellett shares some insights about setting realistic expectations, avoiding paid advertising, and the death of social media. Also: recent innovations by both Kickstarter and Patreon show considerable promise for the crowdfunding platforms. Summary In this conversation, the hosts discuss the emotional rollercoaster of running a Kickstarter cam...

Attending this year's National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards has changed Dave's bucket list. He wants one of those danged trophies! (And so does Brad.) Also, after Dave looks at the analytics from his recent Kickstarter, he decides to leave Twitter and Instagram once and for all. On Today's Show UPDATE: ComicLab stingers Dave's new Bucket List UPDATE: Dave's Kickstarter convince...

In the final installment of a three-part series on the National Cartoonists Society  conference and Reuben Awards  celebration, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar sit down over a couple of tasty adult beverages and share stories and reflections on this year's event. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 —  Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a questio...

Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar take their podcast on the road, recording this episode live at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego as part of the National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards celebration! They were joined on stage by Danesh Mohiuddin , Hilary B. Price , and Tauhid Bondia to discuss the pressing issues facing cartoonists in the years to come.  On today's show: How are you ad...

Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar take their podcast on the road, recording this episode live at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego as part of the National Cartoonists Society conference and Reuben Awards celebration! They were joined on stage by Maria Scrivan , Hector Cantu , and Dana Simpson to discuss the pressing issues facing cartoonists in the years to come.  On today's show: How are you addressin...

Dave Kellett discusses the three phases of art. First, you're just trying to make it work. Then, you try to make it right. And after you've mastered those, you can begin to make it fast. On today's show: Make it work, make it right, make it fast UPDATE: Danielle Corsetto's lettering tips UPDATE: Substack Notes advice UPDATE: KDP and Global Comix Summary The hosts discuss the stages of artistic dev...

Apple has initiated a plan to take 30% of all transactions made through the Patreon iOS app. That has caused creators to panic, spreading misinformation and making poorly thought-out claims. Many people trying to explain the situation to their backers got their facts wrong, hurting their own revenue. Dave and Brad sit down and sort out the facts from the friction. On today's show: Dave's Comic-Con...

Brad and Dave discuss using rewards and add-ons in a Kickstarter campaign. Then, they tackle the problem of whether your dialogue should feature proper English or your character's "natural" speech. Today's show Kickstarter mistake — confusing rewards with add-ons Check out Dave's Kickstarter at Newdrivebook.com Should you write in proper English? UPDATE: Reuben Awards — two live ComicLab shows on...

As Brad Guigar travels to Bad Axe, Michigan, to spend a fun-filled week with his family, Kevin McShane steps in to talk comics with Dave Kellett.  In this conversation, David and Kevin discuss various topics related to comics, including their experiences with "Love Is" comics at their weddings, the potential future advancements in comic-making technology, and different marketing strategies for sha...

Show note: Unfortunately, we had some daunting technical difficulties during this recording session, so we had to switch to Zoom to record half of the show. As Dave Kellett recovers from a successful San Diego Comic-Con, Scott Kurtz steps in to help Brad talk about making a graphic novel. In the second half, the two spill some tea over early webcomic history.  THIS WEEK How to make a graphic novel...

SHOW NOTE: Brad's microphone had some technical difficulties this week. Please excuse the momentary dip in sound quality. This week, we're talking about the right way to use a sketchbook. Also, is it a good idea to abandon social media completely and replace it with blogging? SUMMARY The hosts discuss the different ways they use sketchbooks and emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to use...

Sometimes, it seems as if the more your skills improve, the longer it takes to get something done! Shouldn't it be the other way around?! Also... what's the most polite way to tell a comic-con shopper to just stop reading and BUY the danged comic? ON TODAY'S SHOW How to get better faster and faster better Sites with links to webcomics Stop reading and BUY it! SUMMARY In this conversation, Brad and...

Dave and Brad share proven strategies for building your audience on Substack. Also: What are the best approaches for dummy lettering — lettering that's supposed to be unreadable? TODAY'S SHOW How to get new sign-ups on Substack UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Dave Kellett's booth (#1228) during Comic-Con International UPDATE: The National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Awards will feature...

Have you ever wanted to just quit? When all seems lost... when you're all out of hope... when you're about to give up, just remember... it can always get worse. Dave and Brad talk about surviving those dark nights of the soul and finding a little light. ON TODAY'S SHOW When to throw in the towel UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Comic-Con International, Booth #1228 SUMMARY In this episode...

Dave and Brad each realize they must raise their rates on their individual Patreon campaigns. This results in a surprising bout of Impostor Syndrome for Brad that nearly immobilizes him — if not for a meaningful intervention from a trusted friend. SHOW NOTES Raising rates on Patreon UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab enamel pin at Comic-Con International at Booth #1228 UPDATE: ComicLab LIVE at NC...

Marvel/Scholastic illustrator Asia Simone ( Instagram , Twitter )shares her experience of illustrating a "Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" book, navigating the world of YA graphic novel publishing, and... surviving Brad's studio! Next, a listener asks... "Should I jump to Cara?" TODAY'S SHOW Special guest Asia Simone Should I jump to Cara? San Diego Comic-Com 2024 Breaking the 4th Wall EDITOR'S NOTE Du...

Substack is one of the few social-media newcomers that actually produces visible results. It delivers audience-building, reader retention, advanced messaging, intelligent analytics, savvy promotion, and discovery. Better yet, it has a user interface that's a joy to use. So why are so many cartoonists perplexed by it? Brad and Dave do a deep dive into this new platform and offer strategies for usin...

A new father asks if his baby will change how he writes. "Hey, Comics Dads, I'm worried," he says. "Hey, Worried, we're Comics Dads," we reply. And then Dave invites Brad to pull his finger. After they discuss the effects of parenthood on creativity, a friendly zinester writes in to take Brad to task over his dismissal of zines as "nutty." ON TODAY'S SHOW How does fatherhood affect writing? UPDATE...

After six weeks of working on their comic, a listener asks how soon they can expect to make a living doing this — and gets an earful from Brad and Dave.  Plus, Brad and Dave share more of their picks for Reuben Award nominees. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the importance of having realistic expectations and enjoying the creative process when making comics. They share their own experiences...

How much of your work would you consider "top tier?" Fifty percent? Twenty percent? And speaking of the top tier, Brad and Dave share a partial list of people they think should be nominated for a Reuben Award this year. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the ratio of their work that they consider to be top-tier. They also talk about the benefits of posting comics panel by panel. Next, they sha...

We've all heard successful creators complain that younger hopefuls "just don't want to do the hard work." They disregard the complicated nature of achieving their status and dismiss aspiring novices on the basis of one single factor. Survivorship bias is undoubtedly a result of flawed reasoning. ...But is it bad advice? Brad and Dave discuss survivorship bias in the creative community and its impa...

How did Brad and Dave know when they'd "made it"? ALSO: Now that you have a website with a blog... what do you write?? Brad shares a heartwarming story about his dad's induction into the Michigan High School Bowling Hall of Fame. They discuss the concept of 'making it' as a cartoonist and the different definitions of success. They also address the challenges of rating one's comic in terms of age a...