Comic Lab

Latest Episodes:

What's in a (domain) name? Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! A ComicLab listener is trying to decide on a domain name for their comic, and Brad and Dave have some advice. Then, Brad has an easy way to tell if your promotional outreach is actually spam.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Choosing a domain name
"Am I a spammer?"
Drawing/sketching for fun
Time management

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Nobody wants to hear "Support Me on Patreon" Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! If your outreach is "Support me on Patreon," you're delivering a tone-deaf message. We're going to talk about getting more backer by adjusting your pitch. Plus, we have our first ComicLab nuptials!

Questions asked and topics covered...

Wedding bells!
Don't say "Support me on Patreon"
Pandemic update — how has your 2020 plan changed?
Is it possible to over-pose your comic?
How to know if you're "giving away the store" on Patreon

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Artisting hurdles Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, Dave and Brad talk about the hurdles they've experienced as artists. And then, when a prominent arts educator advocates for the use of "Poor Man's Copyright," Brad's head nearly explodes.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Artisting hurdles
Poor Man's Copyright
What did Dave do at Mattel?
Why don't we talk about fumetti comics?

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Special Guest Erika Moen discusses mental health Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, our friend Erika Moen joins us to talk about one of the most important topics we've ever covered on ComicLab — Mental health.

Coming soon from Erika Moen...

Drawn to Sex Vol. 2: Our Bodies and Health. Have you ever wanted to learn exactly how pregnancy works? How about what to expect at your next doctor’s visit? Or even just really understanding what’s “down there”? Erika and Matthew are ready to help out with their second book in the Drawn to Sex series.
Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human. How do you find the answers to all the questions you have about yourself, about your identity, and about your body? Let's Talk About It provides a comprehensive, thoughtful, well-researched graphic novel guide to everything you need to know.

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Setting an emotional hook Sep 17, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! As a follow-up to our conversation about writing a strong beginning to your story, we've discussed the benefits of beginning a story in media res. But action, action and more action isn't going to do the trick alone. So today we're talking about another aspect of a a strong opening — setting an emotional hook!

Questions asked and topics covered...

Setting an emotional hook
Ira Glass' essay "The Gap" has us discussing the importance of developing your aesthetic
When's the right time to start a Patreon?
New challenges with success

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Plagiarism Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, we're talking about using a joke that you didn't write. That topic leads into a discussion of the controversy that exploded after Alphonso Dunn posted a video accusing Jake Parker of plagiarism.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Using other people's writing in your comic
The Inktober controversy — did Jake Parker plagiarize Alphonso Dunn
What should your highest-level Patreon tier be?
How to handle a word balloon from an off-panel speaker
How to price digital content

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Patreon Annual Membership Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Patreon has unveiled Annual Membership — should you promote it to your backers?

Questions asked and topics covered...

Catching up with Snares, a/k/a "Singapore Bob"
USPS announces temporary price increases*
Patreon Annual Membership
Using sound effects well
Avoiding politics?

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

----------

*From USPS.com: ...the Postal Service is planning a time-limited price increase on all commercial domestic competitive package volume from Oct. 18 until Dec. 27, 2020. Retail prices and international products will be unaffected.

The planned price increase would go into effect at 12:00AM Central on Oct.18, 2020 and remain in place until 12:00AM Central Dec. 27, 2020.

The planned prices, approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on August 6, would raise prices on its commercial domestic competitive parcels – Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return Service.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Is a black-and-white comic still viable? Aug 27, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Brad and Dave talk about black-and-white comics — are they still viable in today's publishing landscape?

Questions asked and topics covered...

You are exactly where you need to be for the next step
Do the recent AT&T layoffs indicate the end of DC Comics?
Using the Sunday strip format to tell a short story
Doing a Writers' Room... but for non-humor comics
Choosing a color palette

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Finding other cartoonists in your region Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Brad and Dave talk about ways to find other cartoonists and comics creators in your local area.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Internal narration
'Return to Oz' cartoonists
Finding one's local community
What is the Message you're sending to your readers through your comic?
Side stories make good Patreon exclusives
deliberate practice
blue mechanical pencil leads

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Running a Virtual Comic Convention Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Brad and Dave talk about their experience running their first virtual comic convention! PLUS — Dave talks about his third Eisner Award nomination and his second self-administered haircut... both of which ended up in disappointment.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Dave's third Eisner Award nomination
Studio Con recap — how did the virtual convention go?
Ellipses — what's the right way to use those three little dots?

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
$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.

Listen to ComicLab on...

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon