Comic Lab

Latest Episodes:

Commission accomplished! Nov 07, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys ponder George R.R. Martin's assertion that writers are either garderers or architects. Also, they talk about commissions. What are some best practices — and how can you avoid common mistakes? Then a question-asker asks how much time Dave and Brad spend trying to get their comics reviewed by comics journalists and websites. Next, can a sale or discount actually act as a dis-incentive for sales? And finally, how can you stop someone from stealing your art for a T-shirt?

BUT FIRST... a real-estate ad by the side of the road written in Sharpie marker gets Dave's attention.

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!

QUESTIONS ASKED...

When you're writing, are you a gardener or an architect?
Commissions
Comics reviews
Sales and discounts on your online store
Art theft

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!

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.

Pandering ...or Positioning? Oct 31, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss pandering. Is it pandering to create comics that your readers are more likely to respond to? Then, a listener asks if Dave's aware that Clip Studio Paint doesn't have a CMYK mode? And does it matter? Finally, Dave receives a tweet from one of his readers explaining why he couldn't possibly become one if Dave's Patreon backers, touching off an epic rant on fan behavior.

BUT FIRST... Dave tells Brad about the time he met Paul Rudd... and sparks flew.

QUESTIONS ASKED...

To what extent do you pander to your audience?
Clip Studio Paint doesn't have a CKMYK mode. Is that a problem?
The agonizing eyeroll when a reader explains why they couldn't possibly become a Patreon backer.

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!

Social media has evolved... have you? Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss "The Webcomics Business Model." What is it, anyway?? Also, social media has evolved, but many independent creators haven't kept up. And finally, should an aspiring cartoonist go to art school?

BUT FIRST... Brad's son asks the Big Question: "Why is Brad talking to his wife as if she's Dave Kellett?"

QUESTIONS ASKED...

What is THE Webcomics Business Model?
Social media has evolved. Have you?
What has 40k Instagram followers brought to Dave Kellett? Very little, it seems...
Facebook's alleged lies about video stats is accused of ruining some online publishers...
...but why did those publishers stay the course even AFTER they realized they'd made a wrong turn??
Organic reach vs inorganic reach, and why Brad is a Big Believer of organic
Brad and Dave discover that they are about five years ahead of the curve on podcasting, and it's all because of webcomics.
Should a person interested in comics go to art school — and if so, where and when?

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.

KEYWORDS

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!

New to ComicLab? Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to ComicLab: The podcast about making comics, and making a living from comics! If you loved Webcomics Weekly, you're gonna love this show: It's half shop-talk, half how-to, and half friendship. WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It's tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro. So pull up your drawing chair, put on some headphones, and join us while you draw!

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!

Kickstarter's anti-union policies Oct 17, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss Kickstarter's decision to fire workers who tried to unionize. Also on today's show, the USPS has decided to remain in the Global Postal Union — much to the relief of small-businesspersons everywhere, and a question-asker wants to know how far Dave and Brad write in advance. Next, eBook-publishing is hot, but are Amazon and ComiXology delivering for independent creators? Then — how do you maintain satisfaction after achieving a goal, and how much should creators engage with fans when they misinterpret the story?

BUT FIRST... Dave has a case of the post-Kickstarter blues

QUESTIONS ASKED...

News update: USPS stays in the Global Postal Union
Kickstarter fired workers for trying to unionize — what (if anything) should creators do about that?
How far do you write in advance?
Do ComiXology and Amazon Kindle Direct deliver sales for indie comics publishers?
In praise of Gumroad and DriveThruComics
How do you maintain satisfaction *after* achieving a goal?
When readers misinterpret a story, should you step in and correct them?

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.

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!

ComicLab enamel pins! Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss how big a comic's cast of characters should be. Also on the show: Improving your comic by varying the line weight. Then a question asker asks if Brad would ever do a non-superhero comic, and finally Dave shares why he thinks bookstore signings are a waste of time.

BUT FIRST... Brad's kids gift the Kellett children with thirty pounds of LEGOs.

ComicLab enamel pins

Each pin is available for $10 apiece. But ComicLab backers can get both for ten bucks. That's like getting one of the pins for free! And you have two choices in which to make your purchase...

Buy it from Dave at sheldonstore.com
Buy it from Brad at newevilbook.com

QUESTIONS ASKED...

How big should a comic's cast of characters be?
US to leave the global postal union? (Update: They recently negotiated a deal to stay in the union)
Line weight
Would Brad change teams?
Bookstore signings are incredibly inefficient

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.

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!

Analysis Paralysis Oct 03, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss analysis from paralysis! How do you stop overthinking a project?! Also, in this show, an update on Brad's assistant, how to boost your confidence, and UNhelpful questions. Along the way, a listener asks for help with motivation and the guys discuss the perception that The Far Side is returning as a webcomic.

BUT FIRST... Did you know that Edgar Allan Poe only earned $9 for writing The Raven? ... and he was inspired by Charles Dickens' pet.

QUESTIONS ASKED...

What did Brad learn by hiring an assistant?
How do you build your confidence when it's low
"The Far Side" ... returning as a webcomic?
UNhelpful questions
Please motivate me
Conquering paralysis from analysis

You get great rewards when you support ComicLab

$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.

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!

One-, Three-, and Five-Year Plans Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, after Dave Kellett shares an update on his ongoing Kickstarter, the ComicLab guys share their plans for the next one year, three years, and five years.

BUT FIRST... Dave marvels over an elephant's ability to take a leak.

You get great rewards when you support ComicLab

$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.

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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!

Ensure killed my pappy Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the ComicLab guys discuss how converting to a digital workflow on Cintiqs improved their time management. Also, how do you balance storytelling tension in a longform comic? Next, the guys talk best practices in newsletters. Later, should you hire a proofreader? Dave Kellett shares an update on his ongoing Kickstarter, and finally, what are the must-have features for a book project?

BUT FIRST... Ensure killed my pappy.

QUESTIONS ASKED...

How do you balance storytelling tension in a longform comic?
What best practices would you recommend for a webcomic newsletter? (Frequency, what to include, how to get sign-ups, etc.)
As self-publishers, do you hire proofreaders before sending out books for print?
For printing a book, what extras are "must haves", "strongly should consider", "nice to have", and "pass".

You get great rewards when you support ComicLab

$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.

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!

Branding happiness Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the guys discuss all of the lessons Dave learned on his trip to Disneyland — from cool-hunting pins to branding emotions. Then a question-asker asks about the best way to transition social-media accounts. Next, Dave talks about launching his new Kickstarter. And finally, the guys talk about the "Good Ol' Days" of Webcomics — and what they'd like to bring back.

BUT FIRST... Brad explains to his college students why everyone loves Snow White so much.

QUESTIONS ASKED...

Dave talks about how Disney branded happiness
The Enchanted — and problematic — Tiki Room
Cool-hunting Disney pins
Garfield originals are being auctioned off by Heritage Auctions
Dave discovers you can change your Wacom pen nib
Transitioning social-media accounts
Dave launches a new Kickstarter
Which part of the "Good Ol' Days" would you bring back?

You get great rewards when you support ComicLab

$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.

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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