Comic Lab

Latest Episodes:

Special Guest Cat Farris May 28, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, Dave and Brad welcome the marvelous Cat Farris, illustrator of My Boyfriend is a Bear and the forthcoming Ghoul Next Door.

Questions asked and topics covered...

The Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Cartooning

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.

Supportive Life Partners May 21, 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 their most important creative partners — their wives.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Let's talk about life partners
Logo design
Staying creative when life is tough

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!

Lore Olympus vs Webtoons May 14, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Recently Webtoons spoiled a reveal in "Lore Olympus" that the creator, Rachel Smythe, had been building towards for years. Dave and Brad return to the topic they broached at the beginning of the year— "Should you build your audience on Webtoons?"

Questions asked and topics covered...

The problems with building an audience on Webtoons
Midtown Comics and DC Comics step up to fill the void left by Diamond Comics Distributors, estanlishing two new distributors — UCS Comics Distributors and Lunar Distribution, respectively.
Comics featuring dentists, lawyers and doctors are shoo-ins for original-art sales
Is a three-panel comic inherently better than a four-panel comic?
Four-panel storyline strips face an uphill battle in audience-building in today's social-media-dominated publishing landscape
Coverting social-media comments into Patreon backers

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 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!

The Best Software for Publishing Webcomics May 07, 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 best Content Management System (CMS) for publishing webcomics. Toocheke is brand new, and Brad's a big fan.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Toocheke is a new CMS Brad endorses for publishing webcomics
How to deal with an e-mail barnacle
Doing business under a pen name
What are the best tools for a beginner?

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 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!

What's the word on word balloons? Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, Dave and Brad drill down deep on a crucial topic in comics — word balloons! Then Dave talks about his recent Kickstarter, and why it didn't fund.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Word balloons
Why the Kickstarter for Story/Line didn't fund
This is no time to back away from crowdfunding or digital merchandise
How will publishers and comic shops going to fare in the global pandemic
The real danger of losing the United States Postal Service

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 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 Gale Galligan Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, the ComicLab guys talk shop with Gale Galligan, creator of the bestselling Babysitter's Club graphic novels. See all of Gale's latest at Galesaur.com.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Getting ideas that don't fit in your own universe
Mini-comics
Vying for the YA graphic-novel market

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 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!

Comics Under Quarantine Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Dave and Brad are devoting the entire show to topics related to the coronavirus pandemic. Having been self-employed for years, Dave and Brad share some advice to people who are working from home for the first time. Also, crowdfunding is proving to be surprisingly resilient so far, so this is no time to get sheepish about Patreon and Kickstarter. Dave talks about writing in moments of grief, and Brad shares some thoughts about ways we can monetize our comics during the months ahead.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Working from home
Patreon experienced an influx of creators and patrons in March
Patreon sets up a COVID-19 relief fund.
How to write in moments of grief
Making money happen quickly under quarantine

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 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 Karl Kerschl Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, the ComicLab guys talk shop with Karl Kerschl of The Abominable Charles Christopher and Isola.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Unpredictible schedules
How to sell original art
Is it better to master one thing or be very good at several things?

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 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 Lar deSouza Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, the ComicLab guys talk shop with Lar deSouza of Least I Could Do and Looking For Group.

Questions asked and topics covered...

A new competitor for Patreon — does the math add up?
Dave's Kickstarter — storylineshow.com
eBooks

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 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!

Managing a long-distance collaboration Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! Collaborations are a great way to make comics. But what if your parter is in another time zone — or another country? How can you sync your work? Also go-to panel compositions and tools for tracking script-writing.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Brad dreams about dating Rue McClanahan
Dave and Brad are both headed for Alaska Robotics' Comics Camp in April
Long-distance partnerships
Go-to panel compositions
Wacom One
Tools for tracking script-writing
Improving script-writing
Shouldn't all content go 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 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