Comic Lab

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss how converting to a digital workflow on Cintiqs improved their time management. Also, how do you balance storytelling tension in a longform comic? Next, the guys talk best practices in newsletters. Later, should you hire a proofreader? Dave Kellett shares an update on his ongoing Kickstarter, and finally, what are the must-have features for a book project? BUT FIRST... Ensure killed my pappy. QUESTIONS ASKED... How do you balance storytelling tension in a longform comic? What best practices would you recommend for a webcomic newsletter? (Frequency, what to include, how to get sign-ups, etc.) As self-publishers, do you hire proofreaders before sending out books for print? For printing a book, what extras are "must haves", "strongly should consider", "nice to have", and "pass". You get great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a questio

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the guys discuss all of the lessons Dave learned on his trip to Disneyland — from cool-hunting pins to branding emotions. Then a question-asker asks about the best way to transition social-media accounts. Next, Dave talks about launching his new Kickstarter. And finally, the guys talk about the "Good Ol' Days" of Webcomics — and what they'd like to bring back. BUT FIRST... Brad explains to his college students why everyone loves Snow White so much. QUESTIONS ASKED... Dave talks about how Disney branded happiness The Enchanted — and problematic — Tiki Room Cool-hunting Disney pins Garfield originals are being auctioned off by Heritage Auctions Dave discovers you can change your Wacom pen nib Transitioning social-media accounts Dave launches a new Kickstarter Which part of the "Good Ol' Days" would you bring back? You get great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a question for pos

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the guys discuss tips and strategies to improve your humor writing. Then, a question-asker asks if it's OK to re-use backgrounds. Next, it's advice on doing a comic convention when you have a speech impediment. Also, when will self-publishing become acceptable in other media — such as kids' lit, sci-fi, novels, etc.? And finally, Brad explains romance novels to Dave. But first... Brad's wife came home to find a dog asleep on the sofa. They don't have a dog. QUESTIONS ASKED... Dave talks about his love for the Wacom swing arm How do you find the Funny? Is it OK to reuse background illustrations? How do you do comic conventions when you have a speech impediment? When will self-publishing become acceptable in kids' lit, sci-fi, novels, etc.? Brad explains romance novels to Dave Brad explains audio erotica to Dave Dave has enough You get great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 —Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a question for possible us

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, a listener asks if they guys carry around sketchbooks in their everyday lives. Also, the guys talk about their First Time experiences— with offset print runs, that is. Then, a question asker asks how they built a sustainable comics career without becoming burnt out. Next, what pitfalls do Dave and Brad see in the next five-to-ten years? BUT FIRST... Valium has turned Dave's dog into a member of Dr. Teeth's Electric Mayhem QUESTIONS ASKED... What's in your sketchbook? What was your first offset print run like? How to build a sustainable career without burn-out? What pitfalls do you want to avoid over the next several years? 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

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the guys talk about the long paths they took to become full-time cartoonists. Then, they look at the importance of livestreaming, and share some tips on doing that well. Next, a question-asker asks what Dave and Brad want to be remembered for. Finally, a cartoonist writes to say that they are their own worst booth barnacle! How can they stop doing that? BUT FIRST... Remember that lady who showed up to San Diego Comic Con INSISTING that Dave start exhibiting at sci-fi conventions? Well, somehow she found her way into Brad's studio while they were taping, and she has a message for Dave. And she brought a piano. QUESTIONS ASKED... How long was it before you went full time? I stink at livestreaming — help! What do you want to be remembered for? I kee barnacling myself. How do I stop? 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 po

Today's show is sponsored by Wacom! Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett are talkin' comics. The guys talk about how their drawing styles evolved, and then detail what a typical day in their studios looks like. Next, they talk about strategies for deconstructing a comic in order to learn from it. After that, a question-asker asks if there are times the guys wish they could go back in time to fix things in their comics. Finally, it may seem that promoting a short-form, humor-based comic strip is comparatively easy, but how does one promote a continuous-narrative comic? BUT FIRST — When Dave pitches an idea to Brad, he can immediately tell Brad hates it. Show Notes Constantly improving your drawing style Dave and Brad recall why they moved to a Wacom tablet What does a typical day at the studio look like? How do you deconstruct a comic to learn from it? Do you ever wish you could go back in time and fix certain things about your comic? What's the best way to promote a continuous, narrative comic like Dave

This episoide of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! Now that Dave Kellett is settled in from his trip to San Diego for Comic Con International, so it's time for Brad Guigar and him to get down to answering some listener questions! Page numbering — After receiving a polite rebuttal to his original dismissal of page numbering, Brad reverses course on the topic Why MAD magazine folded (it had nothing to do with its content) AT&T's WarnerMedia pulled its Rooster Teeth booth at SDCC — and what that may indicate What needs to be in place for a first-time webcomic? But first... A convention attendee explains that Dave should do a sci-fi convention. If he wants to succeed. Really. Right now. You get great rewards when [you support ComicLab](http://patreon.com/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 r

This episoide of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! Dave Kellett has returned from San Diego, after spending a week exhibiting at Comic Con International, and he brought stories and analysis with him. In today's show: Dave and Brad remember the first time they used a Wacom Cintiq Did Dave turn a profit? Was the show worth the expense? Hollywood parties vs comic con parties Getting booth barnacled — by people who should know better! ComicLab listeners who visited the booth Dave walked the show floor at San Diego, and returned a changed man Is Comic Con International... shrinking But first... a married couple approaches Dave's booth, and says, "ComicLab helped our marriage..." You get great rewards when [you support ComicLab](http://patreon.com/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

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! A listener asks: if social-media delivers only a 1% engagement, what hope does one have in building an audience? Also in today's show: The best way to host a comics-making workshop for kids. Books on Brad and Dave's bookshelf Why did Dave move his comic from site to site for so long? BUT FIRST, Brad is living a home-owner's nightmare.

Webcomics veterans Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! This week, they discuss... Increasing engagement on social media An improved hashtag strategy for Instagram When — and how — to ask for help Which comes first in writing — story, character or setting? What gratification do you get from comics? ...But first, Dave's gearing up for Comic Con International at Booth 1228! Great rewards when you support ComicLab • $2 — support the show • $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 podcast Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com  Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

In this episode, Dave and Brad talk to Dylan Meconis about her new book, Queen of the Sea! Also... Brad has some repairs done to his house, and it goes poorly. The case for traditional publishing — children's books Dave's upcoming appearance at Comic Con International Working with an editor Listener asks "I lost my day job. How do I generate excitement over working on my comic?" How to "kill your darlings" What's your favorite part about making comics? Great rewards when you support ComicLab • $2 — support the show • $5 — submit a qu****estion 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 podcast Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talkin' comics! In this episode, a question-asker asks if you can spur creativity by changing the layout of your studio. NEXT, the guys take a moment to talk about their fathers — and the influence their dads have had on their creative lives. FINALLY, is it possible to make comics more accessible for people with visual impairment? BUT FIRST, Dave takes his family to an indoor water park — or as he calls it "a cathedral to e. coli bacteria" SHOW NOTES Spurring creativity by changing the layout of your studio Father's Day thoughts accessibility to visually impaired readers Great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — Support the show $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 Pro

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they talk about Arrival Fallacy, and how it lures creators into a treadmill of despair! THEN a Patreon backer asks how Brad "NSFW" Guigar could possibly be disturbed by Public Displays of Affection! FINALLY, they discuss the Shonen Jump approach — could it work for webcomics? BUT FIRST, Brad's son points out that two of his father's popular aphorisms are in direct conflict with one another! SHOW NOTES "You can't choose what you're good at" vs "No such thing as talent" Arrival Fallacy Public displays of affection Shonen Jump Great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — Support the show $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 exclusiv

What's in a name? A lot -- as Dave can tell you. He shares the troubles he experienced by naming his strip after a character who has since faded into the background. Also in today's show... Ziggy Zippy Should you re-draw old comics? How should you introduce a new style to your readership? Do splash pages work on the Web? The guilt of not creating Great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — support the show $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 podcast Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

LIVE! (on tape) from Huntington Beach, it's a special episode of ComicLab recorded during NCSFest. Brad and Dave talk about webcomics publishing becoming more centralized — and much more! 04:55 — Webcomics publishing started as centralized, become de-centralized, and is getting centralized again 08:13 — "Vanity Press is the new Publishing, and Publishing is the new Vanity Press" — Jake Parker 20:00 — Optimism over the future of comics 30:47 — Working with assistants 34:50 — Getting the vapors 36:30 — Dave loves to draw backgrounds (Brad doesn't) 41:00 — When you forget how to draw 44:40 — Question from the audience: Do we consider our non-cartoonist listeners? 49:11 — Working in Dave's studio 54:19 — Question from the audience: Do we plan for continuing education to expand our knowledge?

With Brad visiting Dave in Los Angeles to attend NCSFest, the guys take the opportunity to record a rare show originating from the same ZIP code. The guys talk about how webcomics — which started in centralized cells like Keenspot — has come full circle, and is becoming more centralized again. Next, Dave talks about what her learned from his recent Kickstarter campaign. Finally, the guys take from questions from $5 Patreon backers including: Should a first-time Kickstarter campaign focus only on hardcover books? Should you make decisions based on practicality — or on joy? How far ahead do you plot your stories? Patreon backers can see video of the recording session here!

David Malki, of Wondermark fame, joins us for an in-depth discussion of writing and all things webcomic!

This week on ComicLab, Brad and Dave discuss... When doing a Kickstarter for a product that hasn't been started yet, what should the visuals be? Would you still do a comic — even if nobody was reading it? Longform story advice The best posting schedule Leveraging readers from your old project to your new one. But first, Dave discover's Brad's first comic strip. "Googar."

Dave Kellett attended Comics Camp, an event hosted by Alaska Robotics, and he's back — filled to the brim with joy and enthusiasm — from this annual retreat/comic convention. You can get on an e-mailing list for [next year's event here](http://). He shares stories from the week, including: Ursaphobic Stan Lee Classes taught by fellow cartoonists The importance of play in revitalizing an adult's creativity Anonymously sharing income sources Dissatisfaction and Imposter Syndrome occur at all levels of success Dave Malki, Scott C., and Dave Kellett... out-of-sync snoring "You're kinda like a Comics Dad!" Re-evaluating happiness after bring offline for four days. New projects launched that weekend.

This week, Chris Hallbeck joins us to talk Instagram strategy. He was one of the first cartoonists to see the potential in the social media platform, and his comics Maximumble and Pepple & Wren are pure delights. BUT FIRST, Brad shares the story of how much it hurt when he fell out of heaven.