Comic Lab

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

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss the importance of allowing a failing Kickstarter to come to its natural end. But first, Dave learns the saga of Jim Hanks.Listener questions...Should you "save" a failing Kickstarter?How do you convert Patreon followers into backers?Should you use Myers-Briggs personality tests to help define charactersShould you do Charge Upfront on Patreon?Drawing smoother lines with shaky handsSpecial 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

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys are joined by MAD magazine's Tom Richmond to talk about caricature. They talk about...The ubiquitous theme-park caricatureThe International Society of Caricature Artists conventionTom's technique for capturing a face"That doesn't look like me!"Where do beginners go wrong?Has the homogenization of Hollywood hurt caricature?How to improve your caricaturesListener questions...When your imagination exceeds your abilitiesHow to avoid zooming in too closely on digital artHow to you encourage people to create comics?BUT FIRST... Dave tells a story about picnicking in IrelandSpecial 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 she

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys ponder George R.R. Martin's assertion that writers are either garderers or architects. Also, they talk about commissions. What are some best practices — and how can you avoid common mistakes? Then a question-asker asks how much time Dave and Brad spend trying to get their comics reviewed by comics journalists and websites. Next, can a sale or discount actually act as a dis-incentive for sales? And finally, how can you stop someone from stealing your art for a T-shirt?BUT FIRST... a real-estate ad by the side of the road written in Sharpie marker gets Dave's attention.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!QUESTIONS ASKED...When you're writing, are you a gardener or an architect?Commiss

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss pandering. Is it pandering to create comics that your readers are more likely to respond to? Then, a listener asks if Dave's aware that Clip Studio Paint doesn't have a CMYK mode? And does it matter? Finally, Dave receives a tweet from one of his readers explaining why he couldn't possibly become one if Dave's Patreon backers, touching off an epic rant on fan behavior.BUT FIRST... Dave tells Brad about the time he met Paul Rudd... and sparks flew.QUESTIONS ASKED...To what extent do you pander to your audience?Clip Studio Paint doesn't have a CKMYK mode. Is that a problem?The agonizing eyeroll when a reader explains why they couldn't possibly become a Patreon backer.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

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss "The Webcomics Business Model." What is it, anyway?? Also, social media has evolved, but many independent creators haven't kept up. And finally, should an aspiring cartoonist go to art school?BUT FIRST... Brad's son asks the Big Question: "Why is Brad talking to his wife as if she's Dave Kellett?"QUESTIONS ASKED...What is THE Webcomics Business Model?Social media has evolved. Have you?What has 40k Instagram followers brought to Dave Kellett? Very little, it seems...Facebook's alleged lies about video stats is accused of ruining some online publishers......but why did those publishers stay the course even AFTER they realized they'd made a wrong turn??Organic reach vs inorganic reach, and why Brad is a Big Believer of organicBrad and Dave discover that they are about five years ahead of the curve on podcasting, and it's all because of webcomics.Should a person interested in comics go to art school — and if so, where a

Welcome to ComicLab: The podcast about making comics, and making a living from comics! If you loved Webcomics Weekly, you're gonna love this show: It's half shop-talk, half how-to, and half friendship. WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It's tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro. So pull up your drawing chair, put on some headphones, and join us while you draw!

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss Kickstarter's decision to fire workers who tried to unionize. Also on today's show, the USPS has decided to remain in the Global Postal Union — much to the relief of small-businesspersons everywhere, and a question-asker wants to know how far Dave and Brad write in advance. Next, eBook-publishing is hot, but are Amazon and ComiXology delivering for independent creators? Then — how do you maintain satisfaction after achieving a goal, and how much should creators engage with fans when they misinterpret the story?BUT FIRST... Dave has a case of the post-Kickstarter bluesQUESTIONS ASKED...News update: USPS stays in the Global Postal UnionKickstarter fired workers for trying to unionize — what (if anything) should creators do about that?How far do you write in advance?Do ComiXology and Amazon Kindle Direct deliver sales for indie comics publishers?In praise of Gumroad and DriveThruComicsHow do you maintain satisfaction *

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss how big a comic's cast of characters should be. Also on the show: Improving your comic by varying the line weight. Then a question asker asks if Brad would ever do a non-superhero comic, and finally Dave shares why he thinks bookstore signings are a waste of time.BUT FIRST... Brad's kids gift the Kellett children with thirty pounds of LEGOs.ComicLab enamel pinsEach pin is available for $10 apiece. But ComicLab backers can get both for ten bucks. That's like getting one of the pins for free! And you have two choices in which to make your purchase...Buy it from Dave at sheldonstore.comBuy it from Brad at newevilbook.comQUESTIONS ASKED...How big should a comic's cast of characters be?US to leave the global postal union? (Update: They recently negotiated a deal to stay in the union)Line weightWould Brad change teams?Bookstore signings are incredibly inefficientYou get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon$2

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss analysis from paralysis! How do you stop overthinking a project?! Also, in this show, an update on Brad's assistant, how to boost your confidence, and UNhelpful questions. Along the way, a listener asks for help with motivation and the guys discuss the perception that The Far Side is returning as a webcomic.BUT FIRST... Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe only earned $9 for writing The Raven? ... and he was inspired by Charles Dickens' pet.QUESTIONS ASKED...What did Brad learn by hiring an assistant?How do you build your confidence when it's low"The Far Side" ... returning as a webcomic?UNhelpful questionsPlease motivate meConquering paralysis from analysisYou get great rewards when you support ComicLab$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

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, after Dave Kellett shares an update on his ongoing Kickstarter, the ComicLab guys share their plans for the next one year, three years, and five years.BUT FIRST... Dave marvels over an elephant's ability to take a leak.You get great rewards when you support ComicLab$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.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.