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?TopicsThe first publisher was a disappointment... and we want to try it againillustrated novelsUPDATE: The USPTO has canceled Marvel and DC‘s trademark filing for superhero Should you EXPLAIN A JOKE when someone says, “I don’t get it?"SummaryIn this episode of Comic Lab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the intricacies of publishing comics, publishers' expectations, and the benefits of self-publishing. They delve into the importance of audience engagement, the challenges of explaining jokes, and the recent trademark changes in the comic industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for creators to focus on their craft and the passion behind their work rather than getting bogged down by negat

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 showUPDATE: Is BlueSky IT? Collaborative storytelling — letting your readers become writers Is word-of-mouth better than social media?Patreon or Substack?Business adviceSummaryIn this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the emerging social media platform Blue Sky, sharing their experiences and predictions about its potential growth. Next, they tackle the topic of reader input in storytelling, debating its merits and drawbacks in the creative process.In the second half, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the effectiveness of social media versus personal outreach for comic creators, emphasizing the scalability of social media. They explore the historical context of the printin

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 fasterUPDATE: Patreon opens recommendations for NSFW creatorsUPDATE: TikTok court case moves forwardPutting social media into perspectiveMaking drawing fun againSummaryIn this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the challenges of writing comedy and the importance of developing a personal editorial eye. They emphasize the need for creators to trust their instincts and navigate feedback from others while recognizing the natural evolution of creativity over time.They share updates on Patreon and TikTok, the latter facing ongoing legal challenges.In the show's second half, the hosts discuss the challenges of engaging with social media as a creative professional, emphasizing the emotional toll it can take. They share strategies for managing social media presence, including minimizing platforms and focusing on genuine in

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.SummaryIn this conversation, the hosts discuss the emotional rollercoaster of running a Kickstarter campaign, and the ineffectiveness of online advertising. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave discuss their experiences with different social media platforms and the effectiveness of their efforts to promote their work. They emphasize the importance of building a community and engaging with fans rather than relying on paid advertising. They also share their insights on the performance of different platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Patreon, and how they have adjusted their marketing strategies accordingly. Additionally, they discuss the new features introduced by Patreon, including Autopilot, which allo

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 ShowUPDATE: ComicLab stingersDave's new Bucket ListUPDATE: Dave's Kickstarter convinces him to leave both Twitter and InstagramUPDATE: Patreon's AutopilotToo many different comics?Pen name for a teacher? Taking a break to build up your bufferMade with Human Intelligence iconsArtificial IntelligenceSummaryIn this episode, Brad and Dave discuss their bucket list goals for their comics careers and the importance of leaving a legacy. Dave reveals his desire to win the Reuben Award and an Eisner, sell a book with high sales, and be invited to Angoulême or Japan as a guest. They also discuss the effectiveness of social media platforms for promoting their work. In the next half hour of the conversation, the host

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 question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 addressing artificial intelligence?What's working on social media?What are your plans for the next five years?What does retirement look like?Danesh MohiuddinDanesh Mohiuddin is a Canadian Cartoonist from India. He grew up in Dubai on a regular dose of MAD Magazine and European comics. He now lives in Toronto and illustrates and writes children’s books and graphic novels. His latest is Princess Pru and the Ogre and the Hill. Clients include Scholastic, Oxford University Press, Owl Kids, and Kids Can Press. He’s also a history buff and loves traveling.Hilary B. PriceHilary Price is a cartoonist, storyteller, and speaker. Her

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 addressing artificial intelligence?What's working on social media?What are your plans for the next five years?What does retirement look like?Maria ScrivanMaria Scrivan is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning syndicated cartoonist.The first book in her graphic novel series, Nat Enough (Scholastic/Graphix), launched on April 7th, 2020, became an instant New York Times bestseller. It was followed by Forget Me Nat, Absolutely Nat, Definitely Nat, Nat for Nothing, and All is Nat Lost. Nat a Chance will be available in Spring 2025. She is also a contributor to Marvel’s Super Stories, which was released in October 2023.

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 fastUPDATE: Danielle Corsetto's lettering tipsUPDATE: Substack Notes adviceUPDATE: KDP and Global ComixSummaryThe hosts discuss the stages of artistic development in comics, starting with making it work, then making it right, and finally making it fast. They compare this progression to the process of building a shelf, where you start by making it functional and then refine it over time. They estimate that it takes about 3-5 years to make it work, 10-15 years to make it right, and even longer to make it fast. They emphasize the importance of putting in the time and effort to reach each stage of development. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave discuss the different stages of their careers in comics and how they have evolved over time. They talk about the importance

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 report: 5% drop in sales after a 38% rise in the previous yearPatreon and the iOS appUPDATE: Kangaroo wienersHand lettering tipsSummaryIn this episode, Dave and Brad discuss their recent experiences at Comic-Con and other conventions. They talk about the success of their booths, the impact of new products, and the excitement of meeting fans. They also touch on the importance of maximizing booth space and creating a visually appealing display. The conversation segues into a discussion about the National Cartoonist Society and the potential for future convention appearances. Overall, the episode highlights the joy and s

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 showKickstarter mistake — confusing rewards with add-onsCheck out Dave's Kickstarter at Newdrivebook.comShould you write in proper English?UPDATE: Reuben Awards — two live ComicLab shows on Thursday, Aug. 22How to start at the very beginningSummaryIn this conversation, Brad and Dave discuss their experiences with building Lego sets and building a gaming PC. They also talk about the importance of structuring Kickstarter rewards and add-ons, and the psychology behind offering choices to backers. They emphasize the need to make a profit on add-ons and to account for them in the Kickstarter goal. They also mention the upcoming live shows at the National Cartoonist Society Reuben Awards and discuss the possibility of future speaking engagements. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave discuss the balance

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 sharing comics. They explore the idea of using VR technology to create a more immersive drawing experience, the enduring appeal of 2D comics, and the importance of building an audience through platforms like mailing lists and social media. Kevin discusses the various social media platforms he uses to share his comics, including Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Mastodon, Twitter, and Imgur. He explains that Imgur is like a nicer version of Reddit and that he uses it to drive traffic to his website. David is intrigued by Imgur and asks Kevin for a pitch on why he should be posting there. Kevin explains that Imgur started as an

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 WEEKHow to make a graphic novelWebcomic history"Table Titans Club" is available at Target stores nationwide, along with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore! You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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?SUMMARYThe hosts discuss the different ways they use sketchbooks and emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to use them. They encourage listeners to use sketchbooks in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to them. They also caution against comparing one's own sketchbook to the highlight reels of other artists on social media. The hosts share their personal experiences with sketchbooks and offer insights into their own creative processes. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave discuss the role of sketchbooks in their creative process and the challenges of single-panel comics. In this episode, they also explore the idea of using personal blogs as an alternative or supplement to social media. While they acknowledge the

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 SHOWHow to get better faster and faster betterSites with links to webcomicsStop reading and BUY it!SUMMARYIn this conversation, Brad and Dave discuss speeding up the sketching phase in comics. They also talk about the availability of websites that collect links to independent webcomics, and they suggest creating a collective or list of similar comics to promote each other's work. They also caution against relying solely on top webcomic lists or joining Webtoons or Tapas. In the next part of the conversation, the hosts discuss strategies for dealing with people who read comics at conventions without buying them. They share their own approaches, including offering a free sketch, providing a map to the booth, and letting a crowd build. They emphasize the impo

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 SHOWHow to get new sign-ups on SubstackUPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Dave Kellett's booth (#1228) during Comic-Con InternationalUPDATE: The National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Awards will feature TWO live ComicLab showsUPDATE: ComicLab's social-media videosDummy letteringSUMMARYThe hosts discuss Substack and how to bring in new subscribers. They emphasize that the strategies for growth on Substack are similar to those used on other platforms, such as Mailchimp. They recommend using the embeddable sign-up widget and creating a compelling landing page with a "hero post." They also discuss the importance of pinning posts and keeping the sign-up form visible. Overall, they highlight the need for consistent sharing of high-quality work and engaging with the audience. In this part of the conversation, Brad and Dave di

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 SHOWWhen to throw in the towelUPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Comic-Con International, Booth #1228SUMMARYIn this episode, Brad and Dave discuss moments in their careers when they felt frustrated and wanted to give up. They share their experiences of comparing themselves to other cartoonists and feeling jealous of their success. They also talk about the importance of defining success on their own terms and finding satisfaction in their own work. They highlight the value of perseverance and the ability to adapt and try new things when faced with challenges. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss their experiences of wanting to throw in the towel as cartoonists. They talk about their challenges with ad revenue and ad blockers, and the fear of

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 NOTESRaising rates on PatreonUPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab enamel pin at Comic-Con International at Booth #1228UPDATE: ComicLab LIVE at NCSWhen is it OK to use regional colloquialisms and idioms?SUMMARYBrad and Dave discuss Brad's decision to raise the rates on his Patreon and the Imposter Syndrome he experienced throughout the process. In this conversation, Dave and Brad discuss their experiences and anxieties around raising prices for their Patreon campaigns. They share their strategies for communicating the price increase to their backers and managing the potential backlash. They also discuss the importance of building a supportive community and focusing on the positive feedback rather than the negative. Despite their initial fears, both Dave and Brad f

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 SHOWSpecial guest Asia SimoneShould I jump to Cara?San Diego Comic-Com 2024Breaking the 4th WallEDITOR'S NOTEDuring the show, Brad and Dave insisted that Jim Davis rarely breaks the Fourth Wall in "Garfield." They were demonstrably wrong.SUMMARYIn this conversation, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett, and Asia Simone discuss various topics related to live streaming, collaboration, and Asia's career as an artist. They also touch on Asia's experience working on a Marvel Scholastic book. The conversation is filled with humorous moments and insights into the creative process. Asia Simone discusses her journey into the comic book industry, including how she got scouted for a job at Marvel and Scholastic. She emphasizes the importance of doing th

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 using it effectively.ON TODAY'S SHOWSubstack user guideHow much worldbuilding should you do when you start?SUMMARYDave and Brad enter into a discussion about Substack and audience building. Brad discusses his experience with Substack, the user interface, audience growth, and the potential for monetization. The conversation also covers the ethical considerations of moving email lists, the importance of owning the list, and the potential implications of platform control over content. Additionally, the discussion delves into the promotional aids and analytics provided by Substack, as well as the use of AI for transcription