Comic Lab

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, the ComicLab guys talk shop with Lar deSouza of Least I Could Do and Looking For Group. Questions asked and topics covered...A new competitor for Patreon — does the math add up?Dave's Kickstarter — storylineshow.comeBooksLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.comDave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyPandoraStitcherComicL

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Collaborations are a great way to make comics. But what if your parter is in another time zone — or another country? How can you sync your work? Also go-to panel compositions and tools for tracking script-writing.Questions asked and topics covered...Brad dreams about dating Rue McClanahanDave and Brad are both headed for Alaska Robotics' Comics Camp in AprilLong-distance partnershipsGo-to panel compositionsWacom OneTools for tracking script-writingImproving script-writingShouldn't all content go on Patreon?Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/pro

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Kickstarter has become the first major tech start-up to unionize. Plus, Brad and Dave have been invited to do a live podcast on the 50th anniversary of Peanuts — at the Charles Schulz Museum! All that and e-newsletters, building your business and pacing longform stories. But first, after sharing the story of Sha Na na opening for Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, Brad tells Dave the surprising story of how that decision was made.Questions asked and topics covered...Live ComicLab podcast scheduled for the 50th anniversary of Peanuts at the Charles Schulz MuseumKickstarter workers vote to unionizee-NewslettersDrawing that first panelPillars of businessPacing a longform webcomicPosting scheduleThanks for the Kind WordsLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the

Show note: After we recorded this show, Emerald City Comicon announced they are cancelling the show originally scheduled to run March 12-15, 2020. Scroll down for more information.Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the versatile Wacom One! With fears of a coronavirus outbreak in Seattle causing scores of cancellations at this week's Emerald City Comicon, Dave Kellett reaches for his master's thesis on cartooning during WWII to discuss the role of comics in times of crisis.Questions asked and topics covered...What role do cartoonists play in times of crisis?Dave Kellett explains his decision to cancel his appearance at ECCC"Sunk cost" biasHow important is a short story, if all you wanna do is write long?Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio que

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Patreon has announced a new initiative called Patreon Capital that many have compared to predatory payday loans — but is that accurate? Dave and Brad disagree.  But first, Dave shares a story about getting mugged in L.A. shortly after moving there.Questions asked and topics covered...Patreon CapitalUnboxing the Wacom OneLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.comDave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon a

This week, a Patreon backer asks, "Have you ever wanted to quit?" But first, Dave skips the Oscar Awards in favor of Starship Troopers.Questions asked and topics covered...Have you ever wanted to quit?Do you read your dialogue out loud as you're lettering?Is copy/paste social media a good idea?Privacy issues at WacomDoes Brad's multi-channel publishing sacrifice creativity?Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.comDave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to Comi

What are the top three comic strips of all time? Dave and Brad shre their lists ‚ and combine to share a list of overall best strips. But first, Dave's dog has a nemesis, and it's a cat that channels Paul Lynde.Questions asked and topics covered...What are the top three comic strips of all time?Is it possible to be "too niche"?If you're new to webcomics, what's the best way to start?Should you reboot after a year?Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.comDave Kellett is the cr

How do you change gears on Patreon once your backers have gotten used to certain rewards? But first, did you know Sha-Na-Na opened for Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock?Questions asked and topics covered...Changing gears on PatreonWhat mistakes would you avoid if you started all overOffering limited-edition printsPreparing your business for an economic recessionLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.comDave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple Podc

What's the best process for submitting your work to the Eisner Award committee? Dave and Brad get some great advice from Jackie Estrada, who has been in charge of the awards since 1990.But first, Brad's sons ask how they got their names... and the answers are revealing.Questions asked and topics covered...Eisner Award adviceIntermittent updatesAn "About" page for your castApplying the "webcomics business model" to other types of mediaDo you have to respond to every comment?Is RSS really dead?BrandingPaying for Instagram advertisingThanks for the kind wordsLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice duri

How do you find a comics mentor? How could you become one? We talk about the importance of mentorships — and how to get involved in one.But first, Dave and Brad are using FaceTime to communicate while they're recording the podcast... and it's just not working out.Questions asked and topics covered...Finding a mentorBringing back inspirationSynchronizing comic time and real timeHow can a cartoonist limit their carbon footprint?How to introduce a character quickly and effectivelyLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator

Webtoons is a popular platform for independent comics publishers. But with practically no options for reader outreach, is it worth the effort? But first, Dave shares his vacation waterslide adventure... and his lack of fandom for FreakazoidQuestions asked and topics covered...The Far Side — we called itClip Studio Paint doesn't have OpenType support — and that needs to changeShould you be building your audience on Webtoons?Do you want to know why a reader left your comic?Obsessing over an audienceLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Gu

From YouTube’s new policy regarding Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to SmackJeeves' site-wide changes, the ComicLab guys realize that living by the platform can mean dying by the platform. Then they take delight in an ingenious plan to expose unscrupulous T-shirt vendors that use social-media comments to steal copyrighted illustrations. Next, Dave talks about how comics is a career you can build SAFELY. And, when a listener asks how to overcome their boredom over the drawing process, Brad shares a revelation. Then, Dave shares his social-media approach for Drive. And finally, a listener asks why Brad and Dave don't license their archives' print rights to foreign publishers.But first, Brad tells about the worst whiskey sour ever.Questions asked and topics covered...Dave's new bookLive by the platform, die by the platformThe day the T-shirt bots died*Cartooning is a career you can build safelyWhen the writing is fun, but drawing is a choreSocial media and longform comicsSelling foreign rights t

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys talk about buying advertising. Actually, the discussion centers more closely on where NOT to buy ads. Then they advise a writer who is on their third draft and struggling to get to a finished version. And finally, the guys discuss what comics do better than any other medium.But first, we can learn a lot about comics craft in watching "The Madalorian."Questions asked and topics covered...If you had $10k to spend on advertising, where would you spend that money?I'm on my third draft, and I'm having trouble with getting to a finished draft. How can I rework my writing better?What do comics do better than any other medium?Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possi

The season finale of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom!To celebrate the new year, the ComicLab guys are taking a look back on some of their favorite moments from 2019.The Best Of ComicLab in 2019...Calvin & Hobbes audiobookDave Kellett's So-So ArtThe Jigglr (feat. Kevin McShane)Dirty throttle bodyDave's wedding cakeVoltronSatanic pugsDrunk Orson WellesBrad's podcasting under a blanketDave at the dentistTippingInspirational Ikea e-mailsCountry singersSmooth moveKissesThese jerks enjoying their livesBrad's reading Dave's comics out loudBrad talks too muchDave needs to do sci-fi consBrad's "Do You Wanna Be in Sci Fi" songOllie on drugsDog in the houseHave you tried reading?Twenty-one seconds to peeEnsure killed my pappyNevermoreFan-boyingUnderselling the messageLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusiv

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys talk about hand lettering. How can someone beat the learning curve? Then, Dave pitches a superhero comic, while Brad pitches a space opera. And finally, when a listener share their mentors admonition to "learn the rules so you can break them," both Brad and Dave share all of the mistakes they made following that very advice.But first, while their house undergoes a full remodeling project, Brad and his family has moved in with his in-laws.Questions asked and topics covered...Hand letteringBrad and Dave pitch a comic in the other's genre"Learn the rules so you can break them" — is it really good advice?Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the sho

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss the strategy behind creating a comic solely for the film rights. Is this really a good idea?But first, could Brad win in a fight with a hamster?Questions asked and topics covered...Creating comics for the film rightsScheduling time to get drunkAutobio comics... why are they so sad?Improving your autobiographical comicComics consultationsLimited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcastBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.comDave

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys talk about hiring an editor. It's more than catching spelling errors. A good editor can help craft your story and improve your plot.But first, Dave remembers listening to Gloria's pregnancy meditation tapes during her first pregnancy.Questions asked and topics covered...What is the best way to ensure you do not inadvertently plagiarize other works?Please never use the word "doodling"How does an editor compare to having beta readers? Is it worth it?In offering exclusive content, do you risk alienating your fan base who have followed you on social media over the years?The danger of "never give up" mentality.Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on th

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss unexpected outcomes of webcomics success. Plus, Beth Reidmiller, the talented force behind the coloring of Sheldon and Drive, joins the guys to talk about collaboration and more!But first, writing tips for the sleep-deprived.NOTE: Dave's audio quality suffered a slight decline during this episode — which was recorded during the same recording session as last week's show. We apologize for the momentary lapse in sound quality. Next week's show will return to the full-throated audio excellence you've come to expect!Questions asked...What has been the most surprising positive or negative outcome of your success that you never expected? What are the best ways to collaborate with an artist?Beth Reidmiller, the colorist for Sheldon and Drive, and a tremendous artist in her own right. joins the discussionDave and Beth discuss their work practices and brainstoming activities.Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now avail

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss Patreon Assembly. Did it live up to the hype — or have they missed an opportunity to foster creator growth?But first, how to navigate Thanksgiving  — and dairy farms — as a professional cartoonist.Questions asked...Patreon Assembly replaced last year's PatreCon, and it wasn't an improvementSuper Patreon GrantHow do you pick up a new skill?Would you ever do a project just for fun?Special Offer! If you become a Patreon backer at the $5 level or higher before Thanksgiving, you'll get both "How To Make Webcomics" and "The Webcomics Handbook" as easily downloaded eBooks! Plus, you'll get a new episode of Drunk ComicLab — which will be available only on Patreon!Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips p

Today is the LAST DAY to sign up for our Special Offer at Patreon.com/ComicLab!And here’s a special sneak-peek of what you’ll get when you join: A Patreon-exclusive “Pro Tips” episode. When you join, you’ll get over THIRTY FIVE HOURS of these episodes. You could drive from Miami to Los Angeles, and still have Pro Tips episodes left over!Special Offer...Remember: When you make your pledge before Thanksgiving, you'll get..."How To Make Webcomics" eBook (PDF)"The Webcomics Handbook" eBook (PDF)Patreon-Exclusive Drunk ComicLab #2...and that's in addition to the standard rewards our $5 backers get every month...Submit a question for the showNew Pro Tips episodes every weekReceive the newest ComicLab episodes the week before they go publicAccess to the ComicLab Discord server — a growing community of supportive, creative, friendly cartoonistsAccess to the Pro Tips archive — 100 episodes and counting.But it’s the last day! Join us now at Patreon.com/ComicLab