Comic Lab

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. Everything you need to launch a website... and own and control your own work. Transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee.Special guest Kevin McShane talks about his return to comics, his "boring" approach to creativity, dancing on TikTok, and A.I. comics.One quick show note: Our recording software failed to capture a clean recording of Kevin's microphone for the first 15 minutes of the show. Our audio engineer Matt made a tremendous effort toward improving it, but you may still hear a small difference in the opening moments of the episode.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Interview with Kevin McShaneYou 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.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsSp

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. Everything you need to launch a website... and own and control your own work. Transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee.Is it "cheating" to use copy-and-paste in your comic? The answer may surprise you! Then we're joined by Special guest David Betancourt, the comics-culture reporter with The Washington Post.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Copy... Paste... Perfect!UPDATE: D&D using Creative CommonsUPDATE: Getty Images is suing Stable DiffusionInterview with David Betancourt, the comics-culture reporter with The Washington Post.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.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsPandoraStitcher

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. Everything you need to launch a website. Transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee.Everyone seems to be wondering where to post/publish their comics. So we'll talk about what it really means to "own and control your own work." Then we're joined by Ellen Woodbury of "Pizza Cake Comics."ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Where should I post my comic?UPDATE: D&D OGL 1.1UPDATE: class action lawsuit vs AI artAfter a pause — retool?Interview with Ellen Woodbury from Pizza Cake ComicsYou 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.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsPandoraStitcher

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. Everything you need to launch a website. Transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee.It's often hard to get creativity started, but how do you turn OFF creativity when it's distracting you from your main project??ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Turning OFF creativityStories from quitting your day jobUPDATE: I have *tried* to incorporate a.i. into my sketch ideation phase. It. Is. Useless. For. Me.My partner is more successful than meYou 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.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsPandoraStitcher

Today's show is sponsored by the Lucy Cavendish College, the fastest growing constituent college of the University of Cambridge. We'll be talking to  Dr. Joe Sutliff Sanders, an American scholar of the genre, launching the first world-class collection of graphic novels at Cambridge’s Lucy Cavendish College.Make a donation to the graphic-novel library.Get in touch with Dr. Joe Sutliff SandersALSO ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Finding a good writing classWorking for a company that asserts copyrightUPDATE: Comicraft's "Hagrid Rule"UPDATE: Dave's new apronMaking style changesYou 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.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsPandoraStitcher

To celebrate what would have been the legendary cartoonist's 100th birthday, the Charles M. Schulz Museum invited Dave and Brad to come to Santa Rosa, California, to talk about the influence Sparky still holds over today's comics artists.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...The influence of Charles SchulzQ&A from the audienceYou 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.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsPandoraStitcher

It's the first show of our SIXTH YEAR of podcasts! As we head into 2023, we're going to make some bold predictions of what the next 365 days have in store.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Patreon will use new features to slowly entice people away from the Founder's levelTikTok will be banned in the USClip Studio will unveil such amazing features that no one will complain about the paltry subscription priceWebtoons  will become a major player in print publishingTwitter will complete its fade from its position of prominenceDC comics will implodeNo one will be using MastodonGPT 3.5 will be used for brainstorming and co-writing scripts using AI writingWe'll see the first AI writing-art webcomic... and it will be goodCopyright law will catch up to AI artBlockchain is going to be reintroduces with new branding/marketingOriginal art will become more valuable.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

At the beginning of the year, Dave and Brad made some bold predictions — involving Kickstarter, Substack, NFTs, blockchain, and more! As they bid a fond farewell to 2022, they take a moment to see how many they nailed... and how many they failed.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...NAILED IT: Kickstarter will back off blockchainFAILED IT: Patreon will launch a Kickstarter competitorNAILED IT: Cryptocurrency and NFTs will recede... for different reasons!NAILED IT: Substack creators who took the signing deal in 2021 will grapple with their "Day 366"FAILED IT: Comic conventions will attempt a comeback... and have disappointing resultsNAILED IT: Paper shortages and shipping delays will continue to vex creators' ability to create physical goodsFAILED IT: Because of the preceding prediction, Patreon's base of creators will take another big jumpYou 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.

Today's show is being brought to you by Comicraft. Mark your calendars — their New Year's Day Sale is right around the corner. Each font will be priced to ring in the new year — $20.23!We often talk about achieving success, but this week, we tackle another question — What if it actually happens?? Success rarely shows up looking like we thought it would.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Comicraft New Year's Day SaleWhat if I succeed?Different fonts for different voicesHow to simplify one’s artReading the Webtoons TOSWhich is more important — frequent or consistent?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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Dr

Today's show is being brought to you by Comicraft. Mark your calendars — their New Year's Day Sale is right around the corner. Each font will be priced to ring in the new year — $20.23!Is this the perfect time for nostalgia over old-school webcomics? Also... when Dave attends a sci-fi convention, and kind lady walks up to his booth with some helpful advice. AND THEN SHE APPEARS IN BRAD'S STUDIO TO SING ABOUT IT!(For those of you who are new to the show, allow us to whisk you back to 2019 when a kind lady walked up to Dave Kellett during San Diego Comic Con and offered him some helpful advice.)ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Nostalgia usually hits after 20 years... so is this the moment for webcomics nostalgia?UPDATE: Dave attends a sci-fi conventionUPDATE: Dave will attend San Diego Comic ConWhich is more important ... Talent or Stamina?Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archi

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. If the implosion of Twitter has you wondering if you should finally build your own website, Dreamhost is there for you. With transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee, they'll get you started on owning and controlling your work on the Web.As an OG webcartoonist, Bill Barnes has deep roots in the comics community. As the person in charge of the team that developed Microsoft Lobe and other A.I. solutions, he has an inside-industry view  of artificial intelligence. There are few people as well qualified for a thoughtful discussion of the intersection of comics and AI software. It doesn't hurt that he's also one of our oldest and closest friends!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Strategies for a post-social-media phase of webcomicsInterview with Bill Barnes on AI artToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!Y

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. If the implosion of Twitter has you wondering if you should finally build your own website, Dreamhost is there for you. With transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee, they'll get you started on owning and controlling your work on the Web.Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talk to a pro-am cartoonist who wants to build a running gag into their comic. But does the concept have legs? Also: Why does 3D art get dismissed as lazy?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...When does a joke have legs to become a running gag?3D art — is it "lazy"?UPDATE: More live talks!Balance in word balloonsHow do you learn from a failed KickstarterInstagram adds a second link to the bio!Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 —

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. If the implosion of Twitter has you wondering if you should finally build your own website, Dreamhost is there for you. With transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee, they'll get you started on owning and controlling your work on the Web.Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar do a deep dive on Print-on-Demand! Then, because it's a train wreck we can't stop watching, we talk about the ongoing Twitter meltdown and what it means for independent artists!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Print on DemandTwitter meltdownToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestre

This week's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. Everything you need to launch a website. Transparent pricing and a 100% uptime guarantee.Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the social contract between comics creators and readers.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Does a comics creator have a social contract with their readers?UPDATE: Bono regrets his "Magic Wand" MomentUPDATE: The new ComicLab goal is to be invited as guests of to AngoulêmeRepeatedly ending on cliffhangersHow to break bad newsToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams)

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the impending demise of Twitter — and how comics creators can prepare for the changes this will bring.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Elon Musk looks primed to destroy Twitter — how can comics creators prepare for this massive change?Verification will soon cost $8/month — this will destroy the intent behind "verification"$1 billion in annual interest means Twitter will change — drastically — very quickly. And not for the better.Posting on a Reddit account for the first time in 4 yearsThis would be a great time for my RSS reader ideaHow can independent cartoonists prepare for this massive change?UPDATE: Simon & Shuster - Random House merger nixedToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a ques

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar try to help a ten-year dopamine addict stop themself from posting his comics before they're ready!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Help a dopamine addict! How can  someone stop themself from posting their comics too soon.UPDATE: Day 366 of another Substack dealUPDATE: Charles Schulz MuseumUPDATE: CSP subscription - $30/yearProfessional jealousyOur early comicsToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook.

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss Impostor Syndrome and how to fight it. But first, Dave needs recommendations on building a D&D starter kit for one of his kids, and Brad has thoughts!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Building a D&D starter kitImpostor Syndrome vs the need for improvementUPDATE: BeReal — we're real over itUPDATE: Dave gets retweeted from a 2.5-million-follower Twitter accountMagic Numbers for KickstarterToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil In

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the new social-media app BeReal. Will it have any usefulness for cartoonists?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...BeRealSpending less time on the art to increase posting rateHow to indicate continuity in an anthology projectHow to add value to a giveawayToday is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsS

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss how websites and email newsletters have made a remarkable comeback in the past few years — and how you should be using them to publish now. Also: What is a squircle, and why is it the best word balloon?!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Websites and email newslettersPatreon's new billing optionTumblr did NOT bring back NSFW comicsWord balloons: Elliptical or rounded-corner rectangle?Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the au

The cartoonist uncles have a disagreement! Dave Kellett hates flashbacks, and Brad Guigar can't get enough! They'll talk about the right way to handle a flashback in your comic, when you should use one — and whether you shouldn't reconsider the whole approach in the first place!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...How to present a flashback scene in your comicShould you brand your Patreon on the comic — or on the creator?Making time to write when you're busy drawing — Brad shares his writing process that allows him to plot the story out for several months, while writing individual updates every week.Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams!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.$10 — Gain