Comic Lab

Latest Episodes:

Buying advertising Jan 09, 2020

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys talk about buying advertising. Actually, the discussion centers more closely on where NOT to buy ads. Then they advise a writer who is on their third draft and struggling to get to a finished version. And finally, the guys discuss what comics do better than any other medium.

But first, we can learn a lot about comics craft in watching "The Madalorian."

Questions asked and topics covered...

If you had $10k to spend on advertising, where would you spend that money?
I'm on my third draft, and I'm having trouble with getting to a finished draft. How can I rework my writing better?
What do comics do better than any other medium?

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!

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.

The Best Of 2019 Jan 02, 2020

Show notes

The season finale of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom!

To celebrate the new year, the ComicLab guys are taking a look back on some of their favorite moments from 2019.

The Best Of ComicLab in 2019...

Calvin & Hobbes audiobook
Dave Kellett's So-So Art
The Jigglr (feat. Kevin McShane)
Dirty throttle body
Dave's wedding cake
Voltron
Satanic pugs
Drunk Orson Welles
Brad's podcasting under a blanket
Dave at the dentist
Tipping
Inspirational Ikea e-mails
Country singers
Smooth move
Kisses
These jerks enjoying their lives
Brad's reading Dave's comics out loud
Brad talks too much
Dave needs to do sci-fi cons
Brad's "Do You Wanna Be in Sci Fi" song
Ollie on drugs
Dog in the house
Have you tried reading?
Twenty-one seconds to pee
Ensure killed my pappy
Nevermore
Fan-boying
Underselling the message

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!

Hand lettering Dec 26, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys talk about hand lettering. How can someone beat the learning curve? Then, Dave pitches a superhero comic, while Brad pitches a space opera. And finally, when a listener share their mentors admonition to "learn the rules so you can break them," both Brad and Dave share all of the mistakes they made following that very advice.

But first, while their house undergoes a full remodeling project, Brad and his family has moved in with his in-laws.

Questions asked and topics covered...

Hand lettering
Brad and Dave pitch a comic in the other's genre
"Learn the rules so you can break them" — is it really good advice?

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...

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!

Autobiographical comics Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss the strategy behind creating a comic solely for the film rights. Is this really a good idea?

But first, could Brad win in a fight with a hamster?

Questions asked and topics covered...

Creating comics for the film rights
Scheduling time to get drunk
Autobio comics... why are they so sad?
Improving your autobiographical comic
Comics consultations

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...

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!

Hiring an editor Dec 12, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys talk about hiring an editor. It's more than catching spelling errors. A good editor can help craft your story and improve your plot.

But first, Dave remembers listening to Gloria's pregnancy meditation tapes during her first pregnancy.

Questions asked and topics covered...

What is the best way to ensure you do not inadvertently plagiarize other works?
Please never use the word "doodling"
How does an editor compare to having beta readers? Is it worth it?
In offering exclusive content, do you risk alienating your fan base who have followed you on social media over the years?
The danger of "never give up" mentality.

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...

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 Beth Reidmiller Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss unexpected outcomes of webcomics success. Plus, Beth Reidmiller, the talented force behind the coloring of Sheldon and Drive, joins the guys to talk about collaboration and more!

But first, writing tips for the sleep-deprived.

NOTE: Dave's audio quality suffered a slight decline during this episode — which was recorded during the same recording session as last week's show. We apologize for the momentary lapse in sound quality. Next week's show will return to the full-throated audio excellence you've come to expect!

Questions asked...

What has been the most surprising positive or negative outcome of your success that you never expected?
What are the best ways to collaborate with an artist?
Beth Reidmiller, the colorist for Sheldon and Drive, and a tremendous artist in her own right. joins the discussion
Dave and Beth discuss their work practices and brainstoming activities.

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...

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 Assembly Nov 28, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss Patreon Assembly. Did it live up to the hype — or have they missed an opportunity to foster creator growth?

But first, how to navigate Thanksgiving — and dairy farms — as a professional cartoonist.

Questions asked...

Patreon Assembly replaced last year's PatreCon, and it wasn't an improvement
Super Patreon Grant
How do you pick up a new skill?
Would you ever do a project just for fun?

Special Offer! If you become a Patreon backer at the $5 level or higher before Thanksgiving, you'll get both "How To Make Webcomics" and "The Webcomics Handbook" as easily downloaded eBooks! Plus, you'll get a new episode of Drunk ComicLab — which will be available only 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...

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!

Pro Tips Sample! Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

Today is the LAST DAY to sign up for our Special Offer at Patreon.com/ComicLab!

And here’s a special sneak-peek of what you’ll get when you join: A Patreon-exclusive “Pro Tips” episode. When you join, you’ll get over THIRTY FIVE HOURS of these episodes. You could drive from Miami to Los Angeles, and still have Pro Tips episodes left over!

Special Offer...

Remember: When you make your pledge before Thanksgiving, you'll get...

"How To Make Webcomics" eBook (PDF)
"The Webcomics Handbook" eBook (PDF)
Patreon-Exclusive Drunk ComicLab #2

...and that's in addition to the standard rewards our $5 backers get every month...

Submit a question for the show
New Pro Tips episodes every week
Receive the newest ComicLab episodes the week before they go public
Access to the ComicLab Discord server — a growing community of supportive, creative, friendly cartoonists
Access to the Pro Tips archive — 100 episodes and counting.

But it’s the last day! Join us now at Patreon.com/ComicLab

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!

Who Can Save a Stumbling Kickstarter? Nov 21, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss the importance of allowing a failing Kickstarter to come to its natural end.

But first, Dave learns the saga of Jim Hanks.

Listener questions...

Should you "save" a failing Kickstarter?
How do you convert Patreon followers into backers?
Should you use Myers-Briggs personality tests to help define characters
Should you do Charge Upfront on Patreon?
Drawing smoother lines with shaky hands

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...

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 Tom Richmond Nov 14, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! On this week's show, the ComicLab guys are joined by MAD magazine's Tom Richmond to talk about caricature. They talk about...

The ubiquitous theme-park caricature
The International Society of Caricature Artists convention
Tom's technique for capturing a face
"That doesn't look like me!"
Where do beginners go wrong?
Has the homogenization of Hollywood hurt caricature?
How to improve your caricatures

Listener questions...

When your imagination exceeds your abilities
How to avoid zooming in too closely on digital art
How to you encourage people to create comics?

BUT FIRST... Dave tells a story about picnicking in Ireland

Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!

Find out when Tom Richmond will be doing a caricature workshop in your area. And check out Tom's books:

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...

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!

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