Comic Lab

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! The guys welcome Mr. Inktober himself — Jake Parker. Jake talks about why he recently turned down a publishing contract... at the considerable risk of being labeled an "artisanal success." THEN, they go into publishing with a company verse self publishing. NEXT the guys share their thoughts on going to conventions. AFTER THAT, Jake Parker shares his plans for Patreon. BUT FIRST, Brad becomes angered over his son's forgetfulness, only to find the shoe's on the other foot. Or, rather, it isn't. Join us for sophomoric fun!  Show notes • 00:00 — One cleat and one dress shoe • 07:39 — Jake Parker - Art Drop Club • 16:58 — Jake Parker - Publishing • 45:16 — Jake Parker - Con going • 58:34 — Jake Parker - Patreon Support ComicLab at patreon.com/comiclab

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Dave talks about his new Kickstarter for Sheldon! We hear about need-to-know features when it comes to the cover design of your graphic novel. FOLLOWING this, Brad and Dave go into their thoughts about buying ads as a way to boost interest in your work. BUT FIRST, the guys bust their guts over birds, squirrels, and Brad’s Honeymoon.  Show notes 00:00 — Birds, Squirrels, and Vacations 08:12 — Dave’s Kickstarter 101 18:20 — Guidance with cover design 41:42 — Stretch Break! 42:33 — Buying ads or no?

This week, the guys talk about a LIVE ComicLab session! NEXT we hear about the upcoming ‘Ringo awards and AFTERWARDS, the guys go into how much direction and detail they give to a colorists. THEN they grapple with a question about a Kickstarter for commissions. NEXT, Dave shares his experience selling work on eBay. FINALLY the guys talk about how you can get the most out of your Comic Con weekend. BUT FIRST, Brad tells us about his recent trip to Mexico. 00:00 — Brad’s trip to Mexico! 14:06 — LIVE ComicLab and ‘Ringo Awards 26:45 — How much direction do you give your colorist? 35:56 — Stretch Break! 36:48 — Kickstarter Commissions 46:55 — Selling on eBay 53:16 — Getting the most out of Comic Con

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! On this week’s ComicLab the fellas talk about writing yourself into a corner. NEXT a question-asker asks "is my Patreon reward tier too high?" And FINALLY, they grapple with this — if they could time-travel back to the early 90s with their current skills, would they have been able to make it as syndicated cartoonists? BUT FIRST, Brad bends over to pick up a 12-pack of soda and throws out his back in the process. Getting old sucks.  Show notes • 00:00 — “So-so art” • 06:24 — My Back! • 17:23 — Creative problem solving • 33:35 — Stretch Break! • 34:34 — Patreon tiers • 47:38 — Getting popular now versus then • 01:05:56 — When community building gets complicated 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

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! On this week’s ComicLab we have an interview with Tony Cliff, creator of delilahdirk.com Brad has a failed attempt of a formal introduction. DURING the interview with Tony, the guys all answer the question on what they choose as their career titles. THEN discussing their routines when it’s time for deadline crunch. ENDING with the most sophisticated outro Brad and Dave are capable of. BUT FIRST, Dave shares some fond memories of wooing his wife! • 00:00 — Dave Kellett: the Master of making the first move • 05:09 — The most formal intro ever • 06:48 — Interview with Tony Cliff • 31:21 — Cartoonist or creator • 41:36 — Deadline crunch time • 54:03 — The most formal outro ever

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Dave dives in on his full experience at ECCC this year, including some wonderful critters he met and his interaction with a rep from Nickelodeon. Dave answers the burning question — Did he do well enough to justify going back next year? Following this, Brad shares his thoughts on the recent success of Nathan "Strange Planet" Pyle. Next, the guys answer the questions on options in going digital. BUT FIRST, Dave tells us about his lovely ECCC roomie, Inktober's Jake Parker. 00:00 — ECCC Rooming with Jake Parker 04:40 — Dave’s ECCC recap — will he go back next year? 33:59 — Shaking dogs and bird poo 35:45 — Nickelodeon lady faux pas 40:33 — Stretch Break! 41:23 — Smooth Move 43:18 — Nathan Pyle’s “Strange Planet” proves Guigar’s Law of Worthless Ideas 52:00 — "Calvin & Hobbes" ... the audiobook 55:29 — Going digital — buy big now or buy small and work upwards? 01:04:30 — Digital originals 01:10:29 — I love my day job Great rewa

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Going back to the discussion of publishers vs crowdfunding: What really brings you success? THEN, selling Patreon rewards on different platforms. ALSO, answering questions about background and comic structure WHILE bringing up the more modern characters seen in comics today compared to years ago. FINALLY, figuring out when it is beneficial to hold on to old domains or cut loose. BUT FIRST, "f--- Voltron!"  Show notes ** • 00:00 —** f--- Voltron ** • 6:33 —** “Artisanal Success” ** • 23:17 —** Is it OK to sell Patreon rewards elsewhere? ** • 28:29 — Stretch Break! ** • 29:19 — Backgrounds ** • 43:35 — **What is an idea best for? Longform? Shortform? ** • 50:43— **4 panels comics, then and now ** • 52:48 — **New age characters ** • 01:00:55 — DAVE! See a doctor! ** • 01:01:42 — Holding on to old domains Great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — support the show $5 — submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTip

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they discuss the secrets of Instagram tagging. THEN ... if a backer asks you to add a crowdfunding platform to Patreon, should you? ALSO... what's the danger of waiting too long for success? AND FINALLY... Rob Salkowitz from Forbes drops by to discuss the changing comics industry. BUT FIRST... Dave tells Brad about the time he ate his whole wedding cake. Show Notes 00:00 — The time Dave ate his whole wedding cake 04:15 — Instagram tagging 08:18 — Crowdfunding - Diversifying vs Duplicating 18:31 — Waiting for success 29:25 — Managing multiple projects 45:56 — Copyrighting digital rewards 1:00:36 — Interview with Rob Salkowitz on the changing comics industry 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 s

Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett are talkin' comics! In this episode, each cartoonist offers a step-by-step guide to their creative process — from the idea stage to posting the finished comic. Then, they take a moment to talk about how real-life struggles can often interfere with our goals as creators — and that's OK. Finally, a Patreon backer asks how soo is TOO soon to launch a new Kickstarter after their current crowdfunder closes. BUT FIRST, Dave fondly remembers Screwgie, perhaps the only syndicated comic strip written by a baseball hall of famer. SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Screwgie 10:49 — What is your creative process? 42:53 — Anything worth doing well is worth doing poorly 53:02 — How soon is TOO soon to launch a new Kickstarter? 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

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! They discuss what percentage of your readership you can expect to become Patreon backers. That leads into a fascinating trip down Memory Lane as they recall a disgruntled "How To Make Webcomics" reader. Then, they make suggestions on how many tiers a first-time Kickstarter campaign should have. And finally, they make suggestions on Kickstarter stretch goals and add-ons. BUT FIRST, was a part of Stan Lee's success based on his iconic Look? Show notes 00:00 — Stan Lee's iconic Look 07:54 — Brad's 19th anniversary in comics 21:01 — Dave looks back on Emerald City and Comic Con International 24:43 — Shipping books on a Greyhound Bus 27:34 — Fed Ex Freight Box 29:15 — Spike Trotman: "Don't fight success." 32:45 — Kenny Rogers' face 36:39 — What percent of your audience are Patreon backers? 40:06 — A story from the "How To Make Webcomics" book 44:22 — The danger of "Magic Number" thinking 49:02 — Superstitions 51:38

In this episode, Cartoonists Dave and Brad are talking shop. They share which pieces of original art they would most like to have. Then, it's on to tips and tricks for selling prints. Next, Brad revisits the "social media/ fool's gold" discussion. Then, as Brad approached fifty, the lads talk about preparing for old age. That takes a wild turn as Brad shares an AMAZING fact he learned about teaching business to art-school students. And finally, despite Brad's gain being turned up waaaaaay too high in this recording, a listener asks how they keep their show sounding so good. Most of the time. BUT FIRST... Brad has a dirty throttle body. Just like Dave always suspected. SHOW NOTES 0:00 — Dirty throttle body 05:45 — Whose original art would you like you own? 27:22 — Selling prints 35:59 — Stretch Break! 36:47 — Social media fool's gold, part two 52:02 — Preparing for old age 01:03:56 — Teaching business in art schools 01:11:14 — Podcast equipment

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, the guys talk about the cartoonist from history that they would have most appreciated a chance to be tutored by. Then, Dave delivers an update on how Backerkit has been working out for him. After that, Dave points out that Brad keeps saying "Time is a continuum," but... what does that actually MEAN? Next, Brad references a recent social-media post by Joe Rogan that glorifies success — at all costs. Brad and Dave talk about how dangerous — and counterproductive — that kind of attitude is. And finally, Dave has some financial advice for cartoonists" Plan for a recession NOW. BUT FIRST... Ikea is offering inspirational e-mails, and Dave wants to know what's in those messages. SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Inspirational Ikea 07:17 — 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary 12:25 — Which cartoonist would you love to have had as a tutor? 24:54 — Backerkit 31:50 — Stretch break! 32:40 — What does "Time is a continuum" mean? 40

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they point out that the Eisner Awards have changed their submission guidelines — and that's great news for short-form webcartoonists! THEN they discuss a tweet by Nate Powell that has everyone talking. This Eisner-winning cartoonist claims his income breaks down to about $455 a month! NEXT, it's all about joke theft — what do do when you're accused of it, and what to do when it happens to you! THEN, Dave and Brad do a deep dive on exclamation points. How many it enough? How many is too many?! And what about the interrobang? FINALLY, the guys talk about embedding ads in your comic to promote a Kickstarter or Patreon campaign. But first... Dave's son explains how Superman shaves, and it has us in stitches! SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Kryptonite razors and hypnotic glasses 07:44 — New submission guideline for Eisners 15:58 — Publishing vs Self-publishing 21:45 — The offensiveness of rigidity 29:12 — Stretch break! 30:08 — Joke theft 48:39 —

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they discuss what you should do when you realize you've lost longtime readers. Then, where should you work, when you work from home? What kind of day job should you have? And finally... how do some cartoonists produce those amazing sketchbooks? But first... Dave's going to Alaska Robotics' Comics Camp! SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Comics Camp 06:10 — Why do longtime readers fall away from your comic, and how can you address it? 14:21 — Where should you work, when you work from home? 28:00 — What are some things folks need to know before going into comics full time? 40:54 — What kind of day job is best — menial or creative? 55:43 — How do some artists release those massive sketchbooks? 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

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, Brad makes another lasting contribution to webcomics: Guigar's Law — The first person to comment that they'd buy a certain type of merchandise is the first person to disappear when the merch is offered! BUT FIRST, Brad and Dave fondly remember comic-convention cosplay. Show Notes 00:00 — Spotting the batawang at a comic convention 06:35 — Dave clarifies his production schedule 07:54 — Guigar's Law: The first person to say "I'd buy that" is the first person to disappear when you offer the merch. 17:48 — Is it important to have a consistent theme to your comics? 25:54 — Comics anthologies 37:04 — Stretch Break! 37:53 — What should YOU be planning for 2019? 49:27 — Dave doesn't buy as many comics as he used to. Should that be worrisome? 56:29 — Dave and Brad were both Little League umpires... with very different styles, and Brad shares his utter failure as a baseball player 01:03:36 — Advice for launching your first Patre

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! In this episode, they discuss best practices for sound effects and promoting longform comics on social media. NEXT, they discuss "Chapter Zero" — what it is, and whether it's right for you. THEN it's strategies for coping with the Q1 slowdown. AND FINALLY, they take a handful of questions from 2018 and drill through them in a Lightning Round! BUT FIRST, as Dave prepared to receive a shipment of books for his latest Kickstarter campaign, he learns something about his co-host's tipping habits. Show Notes 00:00 — Dave's books and Brad's tips 07:39 — Finding the right word for sound effects 20:14 — Promoting longform comics on social media 30:23 — Stretch Break! 31:14 — Chapter Zero 42:31 — Coping with the Q1 slowdown 49:54 — Lightning Round! Drilling down several questions from 2018. 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

Dave and Brad are planning 2019 — PLUS, Steve McGarry from the National Cartoonist Society drops in to talk about NCSFest in Huntington Beach, Calif, May 17-19, 2019. But FIRST... Brad's teenagers give Dave a look at what's in store for his kids in the future — and it includes sleeping in till noon. Show Notes 00:00 — Teenagers 06:06 — Brad's plan for 2019: Hiring an assistant 20:22 — Dave's plan for 2019: Five personal appearances 22:55 — Dave's plan for 2019: Publishing schedule to include an all-pop-culture Sheldon collection and a children's book! 40:44 — The NCS's Steve McGarry joins us to talk about NCSFest 54:00 — Brad's plan for 2019: Publishing the second collection of Evil Inc After Dark and the second edition of The Webcomics Handbook. 01:07:17 — Dave's shoot-the-moon plans for 2019: A comics-related TV show, a podcast book club, and a ComicLab Quickstarter. 01:09:25 — Revisiting our three-year plan and five-year plan project from 2018. Great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — support the sh

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talk social-media strategy with Kevin McShane of Buzzfeed, the Lusty Horde, and more! BUT FIRST, Dave marvels over the exercise craze of the belt vibrator. And that leads to this little-known story about the true-life origin of Marvel supervillain, the Shocker. Show notes 00:00 — The belt vibrator 08:10 — Understanding "sharing statements" in social media 27:05 — Sharing on Instagram 47:50 — We use the passing of Stan Lee to get Kevin to do his Fake Stan Lee impression 55:48 — Possible replacements for Tumblr for web hosting 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 In

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar look back over another year in webcomics and discuss what worked really well — and what didn't. BUT FIRST, Dave marvels over the British idiom, "hard cheese," and that leads to a discussion of British humor in general. Show notes 00:00 — "Hard cheese, old chap." 05:00 — 52 ComicLab episodes in 52 weeks — thanks to our Patreon backers! 08:00 — Dave and Brad disagree on buffers 11:45 — "Webcomics is constantly evolving... so we need to be constantly questioning" 14:40 — Adapting to mobile 16:45 — "Quitting comic conventions improved my webcomics business" 22:17 — Planning saved Dave from a potentially disastrous year 27:30 — Kickstarter planning 30:10 — Making better hiring decisions 36:16 — Crisis management for creators 44:10 — "Spanish Flea" and mutual admiration 47:00 — Bonjoro 53:00 — Sometimes social media should be a one-way communication 56:26 — The power of ComicLab LISTENERS has gone untouched! Great reward

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the Patreon Special Offer — and why comics artists should be using it — RIGHT NOW. Plus... running concurrent campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Is it a little skeevy, or super skeevy? And then, the burning question for the ages... What's it like being the most handsome host of ComicLab? BUT FIRST, Brad finally wins the artificial-Christmas-tree argument at his house. And he's miserable about it. Show notes 00:00 — Brad's artificial Christmas tree woes 8:00 — The Patreon Special Offer... what it is, how to do it, and WHY you should be doing it NOW 45:10 — What's it like being the most handsome host of ComicLab? 50:07 — Running concurrent campaigns on Kickstarter and IndieGoGo 01:05:00 — What's your stance on offering cameos of people or their original characters as higher tier Kickstarter or one-time Patreon rewards? 01:13:10: — Brad has a new microphone, thanks to ComicLab's Patreon backers Great rewards when you support ComicLab $2 — support the sh