Comic Lab

Latest Episodes:

Finding the Funny Sep 05, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the guys discuss tips and strategies to improve your humor writing. Then, a question-asker asks if it's OK to re-use backgrounds. Next, it's advice on doing a comic convention when you have a speech impediment. Also, when will self-publishing become acceptable in other media — such as kids' lit, sci-fi, novels, etc.? And finally, Brad explains romance novels to Dave.

But first... Brad's wife came home to find a dog asleep on the sofa. They don't have a dog.

QUESTIONS ASKED...

Dave talks about his love for the Wacom swing arm
How do you find the Funny?
Is it OK to reuse background illustrations?
How do you do comic conventions when you have a speech impediment?
When will self-publishing become acceptable in kids' lit, sci-fi, novels, etc.?
Brad explains romance novels to Dave
Brad explains audio erotica to Dave
Dave has enough

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!

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.

Tell us your First Time Story (printing books, that is) Aug 29, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, a listener asks if they guys carry around sketchbooks in their everyday lives. Also, the guys talk about their First Time experiences— with offset print runs, that is. Then, a question asker asks how they built a sustainable comics career without becoming burnt out. Next, what pitfalls do Dave and Brad see in the next five-to-ten years?

BUT FIRST... Valium has turned Dave's dog into a member of Dr. Teeth's Electric Mayhem

QUESTIONS ASKED...

What's in your sketchbook?
What was your first offset print run like?
How to build a sustainable career without burn-out?
What pitfalls do you want to avoid over the next several years?

You get great rewards when you support 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!

What do you want to be remembered for? Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

This episode of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! In this week's show, the guys talk about the long paths they took to become full-time cartoonists. Then, they look at the importance of livestreaming, and share some tips on doing that well. Next, a question-asker asks what Dave and Brad want to be remembered for. Finally, a cartoonist writes to say that they are their own worst booth barnacle! How can they stop doing that?

BUT FIRST... Remember that lady who showed up to San Diego Comic Con INSISTING that Dave start exhibiting at sci-fi conventions? Well, somehow she found her way into Brad's studio while they were taping, and she has a message for Dave. And she brought a piano.

QUESTIONS ASKED...

How long was it before you went full time?
I stink at livestreaming — help!
What do you want to be remembered for?
I kee barnacling myself. How do I stop?

You get great rewards when you support 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!

A typical day in the studio Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

Today's show is sponsored by Wacom! Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett are talkin' comics. The guys talk about how their drawing styles evolved, and then detail what a typical day in their studios looks like. Next, they talk about strategies for deconstructing a comic in order to learn from it. After that, a question-asker asks if there are times the guys wish they could go back in time to fix things in their comics. Finally, it may seem that promoting a short-form, humor-based comic strip is comparatively easy, but how does one promote a continuous-narrative comic?

BUT FIRST — When Dave pitches an idea to Brad, he can immediately tell Brad hates it.

Show Notes

Constantly improving your drawing style
Dave and Brad recall why they moved to a Wacom tablet
What does a typical day at the studio look like?
How do you deconstruct a comic to learn from it?
Do you ever wish you could go back in time and fix certain things about your comic?
What's the best way to promote a continuous, narrative comic like Dave Kellett's Drive?

Great rewards when you support ComicLab

$2 — support the show

$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!

Launching a webcomic for the very first time Aug 08, 2019

Show notes

This episoide of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! Now that Dave Kellett is settled in from his trip to San Diego for Comic Con International, so it's time for Brad Guigar and him to get down to answering some listener questions!

Page numbering — After receiving a polite rebuttal to his original dismissal of page numbering, Brad reverses course on the topic
Why MAD magazine folded (it had nothing to do with its content)
AT&T's WarnerMedia pulled its Rooster Teeth booth at SDCC — and what that may indicate
What needs to be in place for a first-time webcomic?

But first... A convention attendee explains that Dave should do a sci-fi convention. If he wants to succeed. Really. Right now.

You get great rewards when [you support ComicLab](http://patreon.com/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!

Dave's Comic Con International recap Aug 01, 2019

Show notes

This episoide of ComicLab is sponsored by Wacom! Dave Kellett has returned from San Diego, after spending a week exhibiting at Comic Con International, and he brought stories and analysis with him. In today's show:

Dave and Brad remember the first time they used a Wacom Cintiq
Did Dave turn a profit? Was the show worth the expense?
Hollywood parties vs comic con parties
Getting booth barnacled — by people who should know better!
ComicLab listeners who visited the booth
Dave walked the show floor at San Diego, and returned a changed man
Is Comic Con International... shrinking

But first... a married couple approaches Dave's booth, and says, "ComicLab helped our marriage..."

You get great rewards when [you support ComicLab](http://patreon.com/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!

If social media delivers only 1% engagement, what's the point? Jul 25, 2019

Show notes

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! A listener asks: if social-media delivers only a 1% engagement, what hope does one have in building an audience? Also in today's show:

The best way to host a comics-making workshop for kids.
Books on Brad and Dave's bookshelf
Why did Dave move his comic from site to site for so long?

BUT FIRST, Brad is living a home-owner's nightmare.

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!

Getting better engagement on social media Jul 18, 2019

Show notes

Webcomics veterans Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics! This week, they discuss...

Increasing engagement on social media
An improved hashtag strategy for Instagram
When — and how — to ask for help
Which comes first in writing — story, character or setting?
What gratification do you get from comics?

...But first, Dave's gearing up for Comic Con International at Booth 1228!

Great rewards when you support ComicLab
• $2 — support the show
• $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!

Special Guest Dylan Meconis Jul 11, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Dave and Brad talk to Dylan Meconis about her new book, Queen of the Sea! Also...

Brad has some repairs done to his house, and it goes poorly.
The case for traditional publishing — children's books
Dave's upcoming appearance at Comic Con International
Working with an editor
Listener asks "I lost my day job. How do I generate excitement over working on my comic?"
How to "kill your darlings"
What's your favorite part about making comics?
Great rewards when you support ComicLab
• $2 — support the show
• $5 — submit a qu****estion 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!

Father's Day thoughts Jul 04, 2019

Show notes

Webcomics pros Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talkin' comics! In this episode, a question-asker asks if you can spur creativity by changing the layout of your studio. NEXT, the guys take a moment to talk about their fathers — and the influence their dads have had on their creative lives. FINALLY, is it possible to make comics more accessible for people with visual impairment?

BUT FIRST, Dave takes his family to an indoor water park — or as he calls it "a cathedral to e. coli bacteria"

SHOW NOTES

Spurring creativity by changing the layout of your studio
Father's Day thoughts
accessibility to visually impaired readers

Great rewards when you support ComicLab

$2 — Support the show
$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