Shows / Comic Lab
Comic Lab
The podcast about making comics — and making a living from comics! 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! And if you like what you hear, join our community at patreon.com/comiclab (For sponsorship inquiries: comiclabpodcast@gmail.com)
Episodes
- Comic Lab
How to Beat Writer's Block
Two weeks ago, Dave felt he was doing the best work of his career. Now, he dislikes every idea and dreads sitting down to write. What changed — and how does he…
- Comic Lab
Tapas Is Shutting Down — Now What?
What happens to your audience when the platform hosting your comic disappears? Brad and Dave discuss the news of Tapas shutting down and why owning your…
- Comic Lab
WorldCon 2026 and Hugo Awards review
A Hugo Award nomination brought cartoonist Dave Kellett new readers, book sales, and Patreon supporters. Five days behind a WorldCon booth brought something…
- Comic Lab
How to Launch a Comics Studio
Should you launch a comic studio — or are you really talking about a comics collective, a shared workspace, or simply collaborating on a project? This week…
- Comic Lab
Is there a LIMIT to comics success?
Is there a limit to how many cartoonists can build successful careers—or is the real limiting factor the cartoonists themselves? Cartoonists Brad Guigar and…
- Comic Lab
How to Build Momentum
How do you build momentum as a cartoonist — and what happens when you lose it? Brad and Dave examine momentum across every part of a creative career…
- Comic Lab
How to Make a Style Guide for Your Comic
How much of a successful comics career depends on being temporarily delusional? Brad and Dave suspect it may be more than anyone wants to admit. Then, a…
- Comic Lab
80th Annual NCS Conference and Reuben Awards Review
Dave and Brad return from the 80th Annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards with stories to tell! They look back on ComicLab LIVE and a…
- Comic Lab
ComicLab LIVE! at the 80th annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards
Once again, Dave and Brad brought their podcast to the stage at the annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards. They were joined by Dee…
- Comic Lab
How to Succeed at San Diego Comic-Con
Today's show is brought to you by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Fran Sundblad, creator of "Tiff & Eve"
Cartoonist Fran Sundblad, creator of Tiff & Eve, joins Brad for a wide-ranging conversation about creating character-driven comics, finding an audience on…
- Comic Lab
The Worst Thing About Webcomics
Although we typically focus on the bright side of being independent cartoonists, a listener asks us to address the downside of webcomics. We'll talk about time…
- Comic Lab
How to Calculate Churn — and Why
Patreon backers have access to an exclusive ComicLab Churn Rate spreadsheet — it does the math for you! Is your Patreon actually growing—or are new members…
- Comic Lab
First Pages First
What belongs at the beginning of your book? Brad and Dave discuss whether an anti-AI statement offers creators any meaningful protection, break down the…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Dylan Meconis
Cartoonist and author Dylan Meconis joins Dave Kellett to discuss marketing middle-grade webcomics, working with fans who offer to translate your work, and…
- Comic Lab
What's the Best Business Model for Comics?
This week, Brad and Dave talk about the best business model for longform webcomics — and why putting your comic online for free is still the strongest way to…
- Comic Lab
Why Some Punchlines Don’t Land
Dave Kellett returns from his first-ever college reunion with a full heart — and a renewed appreciation for old friends, running jokes, and the occasional…
- Comic Lab
Never Outsource Your Vision
This week, Brad and Dave discuss one of the easiest traps for independent creators to fall into: Outsourcing important business or creative decisions to reader…
- Comic Lab
Surviving Your Own Success
This week, Brad and Dave discuss what happens after a cartoonist achieves the dream: making a living from comics. They explain why success can create its own…
- Comic Lab
Exclamation points!!!
What seems like a simple question about exclamation points opens up a much bigger discussion about the power of comics lettering. Brad and Dave talk about…
- Comic Lab
Alaska Comics Camp 2026
Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance…
- Comic Lab
Hiring a Social Media Manager
Should cartoonists hire a social-media manager? Brad and Dave discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing social media and ultimately argue that most creators…
- Comic Lab
Quiet on the set!
With both Brad and Dave nominated for awards this year, the guys spiral into a surprisingly deep conversation about awards, marketing, ego, and whether…
- Comic Lab
Is the comic strip dead?
The newspaper comic strip didn't go extinct — it evolved. But if your work doesn't keep up, your career may be fossilized! From Reddit-ready square comics to…
- Comic Lab
Keeping it Short — Making a Living 40 Pages at a Time
Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance…
- Comic Lab
Writing Funny Words Funnily
A listener asks whether some words are inherently funnier than others—and it opens the door to a deep dive on word choice, dialogue, and how to make jokes land…
- Comic Lab
Nobody Has Ever Made a Living in Comics
This episode examines a Bluesky thread where cartoonists self-reported their financial realities. While the original question was thoughtful — seeking insight…
- Comic Lab
I've got an audience... now what do I DO with them??
Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance…
- Comic Lab
Reclaiming Our Power
Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance…
- Comic Lab
Making a Splash (Page) in Comics
Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance…
- Comic Lab
I've been framed! (...in a gallery)
In this episode, Brad and Dave tackle a question every cartoonist eventually asks: Where should I invest my time and energy? From gallery shows to professional…
- Comic Lab
Work-Life Balance
This week on ComicLab, veteran comic artists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett kick things off a discussion about something every cartoonist wrestles with…
- Comic Lab
How to Start a Webring
In this episode of ComicLab, Brad and Dave tackle a surprisingly practical question: How do you start a web ring for comics creators? With social media…
- Comic Lab
How to Make Friends and Influence People. And Cartoonists.
Making friends in the comics community can be... complicated. After all, we're kind of an introverted bunch. When it comes to social interaction, Brad and Dave…
Comic LabConcept vs. Conceit — Why Some Comic Ideas Take Off (and Others Stall)
What’s the difference between a concept and a conceit — and why does confusing the two quietly sabotage so many comics? In this episode, Brad and Dave break…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Dylan Meconis — How to Color Comics with Physical Media
This week, we welcome the brilliant Dylan Meconis, creator of Queen of the Sea and Bite Me. Here’s what we cover: How most colorists actually break in (hint…
- Comic Lab
Comics Will Break Your Heart (And So Will Dating)
A listener writes in after a breakup, worried they’ve lost their creative spark for good. Brad and Dave unpack the emotional toll of heartbreak, why creative…
- Comic Lab
Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself. And Kickstarter Scams
The Mel Brooks documentary, "The 99-Year-Old Man!" holds a lot of wisdom for cartoonists. Speaking of wisdom, it doesn't take much to avoid these common…
- Comic Lab
The Readership of Theseus
Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett dig into the many ways we react to humor — from full-on belly laughs to the silent internal “that was good” response…
- Comic Lab
Five Lessons from a Publisher in Crisis
An online publisher has become the center of some genuinely alarming stories. Brad and Dave break down five hard lessons comic creators can learn when a…
- Comic Lab
Should you judge a book by its cover?
A listener asks: "Should you judge a book by its cover?" Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar say... YES! Next, a cartoonist who is too embarrassed to…
- Comic Lab
How to Start a Webcomic in 2026
Starting a webcomic in 2026 isn’t about chasing algorithms or copying what’s popular — it’s about building something sustainable, creative, and yours. In this…
- Comic Lab
Why don't you do MORE?!?
What does it really mean when someone looks at your career and says, “You should be doing more”? In this episode of ComicLab, Brad and Dave respond to a…
- Comic Lab
Predictions and Goals for 2026
Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar make their predictions for 2026 and share their goals for the new year. Also — they offer their annual reminder to…
- Comic Lab
2025 in Review — Predictions and Goals
At the beginning of the year, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar made their predictions for the coming year — and set goals for themselves. Now, as the…
- Comic Lab
Print on Demand... When There's No Demand
Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the nuances of print-on-demand services. As Brad says, "It's a good place to start, but a bad place to stay."…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott from "Baby Blues"
Syndicated cartoonists Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman share their journey of collaboration that spans over 35 years, focusing on their iconic comic strip, "Baby…
- Comic Lab
What's the Best Platform for Audience Building?
Where should you post if you want to build an audience? Substack delivers unbeatable audience-building tools... but it has some drawbacks. Bluesky is active…
- Comic Lab
Color Commentary — Can You Succeed with a Black-and-White Comic?
Today's show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Kamvas 22 Plus ! In today's show, Brad and Dave tackle an old question — does your comic HAVE to be in color?…
- Comic Lab
Love it... Hate it... Reddit
Cartoonist Brad Guigar talks about his love/hate relationship with Reddit — and the publishing strategy that's currently delivering Patreon backers that has…
- Comic Lab
Wobbly Legs
We always advise having "many legs under your table." In other words, comic creators should have many sources of revenue. If one is threatened, the others can…
- Comic Lab
Kickstarter: What's Working and What's Not
This week, we're sharing the real numbers from Brad Guigar's recent Kickstarter. The show is brought to you by Hogan's Alley! Enter the code COMICLAB10 at…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Cathy Guisewite
In this engaging conversation, Cathy Guisewite, the creator of the iconic syndicated comic strip 'Cathy', shares her journey through the world of cartooning…
- Comic Lab
Lost in Translation
Brad thinks Kickstarter is the right place to go for a Brazilian cartoonist who wants to have his work re-published in English, but Dave thinks his co-host is…
- Comic Lab
How to Get Your Comic Started
While you're stuck trying to find the RIGHT way to start your comic, someone else is starting a comic THEIR way. That's because the only RIGHT way to start a…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Chuck Dillon
Chuck Dillon joins us this week to talk about his work for Highlights magazine, designing the Costco Monopoly board, and his delightful children's books like…
- Comic Lab
Our List of "Must-Read" Comics
A listener asks if there are any comics that the comics dads think are essential reading for being a comic creator. They sure do... and it's not what you'd…
- Comic Lab
Becoming a Comics Publisher
As he prepares to launch his new Kickstarter at newevilbook.com, Brad Guigar tells co-host Dave Kellett that he's decided to eliminate all international…
- Comic Lab
Dave and Brad review the NCS Conference and Reuben Awards in Boston
Many singers do a key change in the middle of a song to indicate drama. Dave Kellett is so good, he does it right in the middle of a word! Brad Guigar and Dave…
- Comic Lab
ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society
Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar hosted a live performance of ComicLab at the 79th annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards. Joining them…