Comic Lab

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Should you reboot? Sep 20, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics wannabes Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! The guys discuss the monthly Patreon dip — what it means and why you shouldn't freak out. THEN Dave talks about why he lays out his longform sci-fi comic the way he does. NEXT, Brad argues that reboots are good — and sometimes necessary, and he and Dave examine the best ways to go about it. FINALLY, Dave shares some helpful guidance for anyone who wants to branch into enamel pins.

BUT FIRST, Brad has one more story from his trip to Michigan... the deer with a red tag an its ear, and a warm story in its heart.

Show notes

00:00 — The red-tag deer
08:36 — "Why does my Patreon drop at the first of the month?"
18:78 — Why does Dave lay out "Drive" the way he does?
30:20 — Should you reboot your comic?
54:00 — A primer on creating enamel pins

Great rewards when you support ComicLab

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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.

Why do we hate thought balloons? Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics whackos Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! Brad took a four-week vacation from his comic this summer, and he says it’s the smartest thing he has ever done. THEN we take another swing at the topic of “Good content vs. Viral content.” Have we over simplified the discussion? NEXT, Dave and Brad note that they’ve been using Bonjoro app all summer long. Are they still as excited about it as they were when they started? And FINALLY, why do we hate thought balloons so much? Is it time to re-think our animosity?

BUT FIRST, Dave’s DriveKickstarter.com funded in ONE DAY! He talks about the strategies he used to pull that off.

Show notes

00:00 — Kickstarter panic
01:45 — The strategy that lead to DriveKickstarter.com funding in ONE DAY
11:20 — Brad took a four-week vacation from his comic, and it was the best decision ever
21:47 — Viral content vs Good content… redux
32:40 — Bonjoro… we’ve been using it all summer. Is it working?
51:20 — Bonjoro pro tip… why we wave
58:08 — Why do we hate thought balloons? Should we re-think their usage?

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!

Live, on tape, from Huntsville, Alabama Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

While Brad's son was at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, Dave called him in his hotel room to talk comics. Pantsless, Brad obliged. They discussed Dave's new Kickstarter at DriveKickstarter.com and the agony of Kickstarter panic. THEN Dave gets some intriguing advice on using one's own photo as a social-media avatar. NEXT, a patron asks about brainstorming from scratch. THEN another patron asks about the main sources of webcomics revenue and how it has changed over time — and which revenue sources should be the focus of beginner cartoonists. NEXT, Brad loses his ever-lovin' temper over NSFW creators bad-mouthing Patreon. THEN a patron asks whether we've switched comics with other creators for something fun to do. Brad's mood does not improve.

BUT FIRST, what can make an anti-social grump like Brad come out of his hotel room to attend social hour? Here's a hint: It rhymes with bree fear.

Show notes

00:00 — Dave's wife imagines his internal monologue as ♪♫♪ "do-dee-do-do-doooo." ♪ ♫♪
02:13 — How Brad learned to love his hotel's social hour.
09:49 — Dave has launched a new Kickstarter for his sci-fi/humor comic, "Drive" — DriveKickstarter.com
11:34 — Kickstarter panic
14:59 — Using your actual photo as your social-media avatar
22:55 — Audio Question — Dave Slusher of "Spoonbenders" asks about brainstorming.
25:58 — Learning the difference between walking away from a project and running away from a project.
35:05 — The fatal problem of wordy comics — and why Jim Davis' 25-Word Rule isn't so dumb.
39:24 — Where are the largest sources of income for webcartoonists — and how has that changed over time?
46:09 — Patreon changed its payment processing for some creators in August to a company in the UK. It caused some declined payments — and some NSFW creators ran to social media to badmouth Patreon. Find out why this made Brad furious, what his [correct] guess was about the backstory, and why creators owe a debt to gratitude to the crowdfunding giant. (P.S. Guess who writes these synopses)
53:35 — What income sources should new cartoonists be paying attention to? (Here's a hint: It's not what you think)
01:00:00 — A patron asks us if we've ever done a comic swap with another creator
01:06:00 — At first Brad thought Dave's "Anatomy of Authors" was a terrible idea. He glady admits how wrong he was and encourages his friend to never ever take his advice.
01:08:23 — The brilliance of "Anatomy of Authors"

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 discusses longform comics and developing a critical eye Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics wardens Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are joined this week by “The Long Con” writer, Dylan Meconis. They discuss ways in which an artist can improve their critical eye. NEXT, a listener asks whether a creator should have one, central Patreon campaign — or should they split them among different projects? THEN, the trio brainstorms strategies to integrate new readers into an ongoing longford comic. FINALLY, Dave and Brad announce their plans to attend the Patreon convention, PatreCon, in November!

BUT FIRST, when Brad takes his kids to the Huron County Fair, they learn a lot about rural life.

Show notes

00:00 — During his trip to Michigan, Brad takes his boys to the Huron County Fair. (The Zipper)
06:23 — The FFA livestock auction
09:50 — Introducing special guest Dylan Meconis
12:00 — Brad’s looking forward to his Huntsville, Ala., work vacation
14:43 — Documentary about Osamu Tezuka (“Astroboy”)
17:07 — “How do I develop my critical eye?”
33:41 — Should you have one Patreon campaign or split them among different projects?
53:23 — How do you integrate new readers in the middle of an ongoing longford comic?
01:05:12 — Will Patreon’s physical-reward-fulfillment push work?
01:12:00 — Dave and Brad will both be attending PatreCon (Nov. 1-3)
01:17:24 — Brad becomes the new pitchman for Gingo Balboa.

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.

Check out Dylan Meconis’ comics: Family Man, Bite Me, and Outfoxed.

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 Katie Lane gives legal advice to comics artists Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics wild things Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are joined this week by lawyer-to-the-comics-stars, Katie Lane. She has some advice on attempting the elusive “working vacation.” THEN she discusses the legal questions that perennially haunt creative professionals, like how does one find a good lawyer? NEXT, she tackles work-for-hire contracts and right of first refusal. FINALLY, she shares some priceless advice… avoid one-size-fits-all legal advice. There’s no, one “right way” to do this.

BUT FIRST, as Brad shares his plans for a road trip to Michigan to visit his family, Dave recalls the family trips of his youth.

Show notes

00:00 — Brad preps for his road trip to Michigan to visit his family, and Dave remembers the family road trips of his youth
03:28 — The concept of the working vacation
06:13 — The search for Floyd Lake
09:12 — Introducing Katie Lane
12:10 — Katie makes her move to replace Brad when he, inevitably, gets lost.
12:22 — The elusive working vacation — is it possible?
17:52 — Brad’s briefcase — sexy or too sexy?
20:53 — Katie’s working-vacation plan… get just one thing done
24:12 — How does one become a lawyer-to-the-comics-stars?
28:13 — How does a cartoonist find a good lawyer?
34:20 — Understanding a Work For Hire contract
38:38 — Understanding Right of First Refusal
53:00 — The importance of asking questions… it doesn’t make you look unprofessional or uninformed!
55:22 — Katie warns about one-size-fits-all legal advice. There is no “right way” to do things. Risk management is a much more important focus
56:34 — Brad quizzes Dave on the most-often-asked legal question we get asked at comic conventions. It starts with an E and ends with an S… except it doesn’t.
529 — Everyone is afraid of having their copyright stolen. Is it a reasonable fear?
01:00:17 — Katie Lane’s new Skillshare series, Contracts for Creative Freelancers

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.

Check out Katie Lane’s Contracts for Creative Freelancers at Skillshare. Her blog is Work Made for Hire.

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!

Comic Con International Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics warlocks Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talkin’ shop! Dave Kellett has returned from his 20th appearance at Comic Con International in San Diego — and it was a huge success! He shares the strategies he used to beat the odds and make a profit at an incredibly demanding show. Plus... booth barnacles, Hollywood scouts and the religious pugs.

Show notes

00:00 — Religious pugs and other oxymorons
02:34 — The new pedestrianized Comic-Con frontage
05:45 — Hard times in Hall H? — Marvel and Disney's reduced presence impacted foot traffic on the floor
11:51 — Dave's best Comic-Con ever
12:59 — The Webcomics section of the show has shrunk
15:25 — Small Press and Artist Alley
21:19 — Selling long-form vs selling short-form comics
29:24 — Flyer advice
32:33 — The Big Takeaway... the show is about the Experience for most people. It's not about buying your book. And (ironically) understanding that concept can help you improve sales.
37:58 — How can you offer an Experience?
50:38 — Using Instagram to increase convention sales
54:25 — Booth Barnacles
01:05:39 — The most brilliant Booth-Barnacle strategy ever
01:10:06 — Are YOU a Booth Barnacle?
01:17:55 — Think about your visual branding
01:23:39 — Does this mean comic conventions are "back"?
01:26:21 — Hollywood scouts and how to mess with their heads

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!

You're not talented. And that's good news Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics wizards Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talkin’ shop! Some fan mail revives the topic of the “punch word” in writing humor. THEN, Brad has some bad news for you. You’re not talented. And, actually, that’s good news. NEXT, a listener asks what we listen to while we work. AND FINALLY, Dave and Brad talk about the people who most inspire their work today (as opposed to childhood heroes).

BUT FIRST… Dave gets called for jury duty on the same week as Comic Con International, and he had to scramble to get out of it.

Show notes

00:00 — Jury duty during Comic Con
03:30 — The SyFy cafe — Imagine Greater
07:26 — Fan mail!
08:14 — Collaboration follow-up — “Working with an editor improved my humor writing”
11:47 — The concept of the “punch word”
13:43 — Savannah College of Art and Design
16:31 — We want to be invited to a Tokyo comic con
22:06 — Video ComicLab — let’s make it happen
22:57 — You’re not talented… and that’s good news
32:53 — What do you listen to while you’re drawing?
41:36 — Five-Year-Plan Challenge update
48:20 — Which cartoonist most inspires your work *today*

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!

NSFW comics... any regrets? Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics weirdos Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talkin’ shop! When a listener asks how to recover after a failed con, Brad launches into a discussion of the gambler’s mentality of comic conventions. And Dave launches his newest character, Susanne Mactaggart, inspirational speaker. THEN, if a key to success is making good comics, what should you be focused on learning and doing to make that happen? NEXT, looking back over his decision to launch a NSFW comic series, is there anything that Brad would have done differently? AND Dave mentions the sweet perfection of the title of Danielle Corsetto’s new comic — “BOO! It’s Sex!” FINALLY, what size should your original art be — and why?

BUT FIRST… When doctors say, “STAT!” on medical dramas, what does that mean? And why isn’t it just was cool for copy editors to yell “STET!”

Show notes

00:00 — When doctors say, “stat,” what does it mean?
04:52 — How do you recover after a failed con?
17:45 — Susanne MacTaggart, inspirational speaker
17:55 — If “Good Work” is the key — what should I be focused on learning/doing?
36:26 — Looking back on his decision to do NSFW comics, is there anything Brad would have done differently?
54:57 — Danielle Corsetto’s new comic, “Boo! It’s Sex!”
56:45 — At what size should you create original art?

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!

How to negotiate a contract Jul 26, 2018

Show notes

Webcomics warriors Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking about making comics. Several webcartoonists hosted on LINE Webtoons were nominated for ‘Ringo Awards. Is it the new hotbed of webcomics talent? THEN is there any value to being “syndicated” on GoComics? NEXT. what should you look for in a contract? And FINALLY, the guys talk about how to improve the writing of a journal/autobio comic.

BUT FIRST… Brad has been watching “House M.D.” and if that show can be “What if Sherlock Holmes was a doctor,” then he wants a new medical-mystery series — “Dr. Columbo.”

Show notes

00:00 — Brad’s idea for a new medical mystery drama — “Dr. Columbo”
06:22 — Sponsor: Skittercomic.com
09:07 — ‘Ringo Award nominees and LINE Webtoons
22:53 — Should you be “syndicated” on GoComics?
32:49 — How to negotiate a contract
51:37 — How to do a journal or autobiographical comic

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!

Allowing your drawing style to mature Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talk about making comics! In a previous episode, both artists came out against re-working old comics… until one of Dave’s “Drive” readers pointed out that he had done it himself before the first “Drive” book was released! THEN a listener asks how to ensure that every page ends on a story beat. NEXT, we talk about the positive effect that Patreon has had in establishing close-knit communities. If Patreon changes, will this disappear? THIRDLY, a reader is concerned that comics are being replaced by memes. And FINALLY, a cartoonist is worried about allowing their drawing style to mature. Will they lose readers? And how DO you pronounce “mature” anyway?!

Show notes

00:00 — Don’t ask Brad to ‘Like’ your Facebook Page
05:19 — Shaving naked, a gentleman’s guide
09:05 — Reworking old comics
18:00 — Ending each page/update own a story beat
36:02 — Patreon’s paywall encourages close-knit communities — what happens if it goes away?
55:00 — Are comics being replaced by memes?
01:01:25 — If I change my drawing style, will I lose my readers?
01:04:00 — How do you pronounce “mature”?

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