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 raise your rates on Patreon
Dave and Brad each realize they must raise their rates on their individual Patreon campaigns. This results in a surprising bout of Impostor Syndrome for Brad…
- Comic Lab
Special guest Asia Simone
Marvel/Scholastic illustrator Asia Simone (Instagram, Twitter)shares her experience of illustrating a "Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" book, navigating the world…
- Comic Lab
How to build an audience on Substack
Substack is one of the few social-media newcomers that actually produces visible results. It delivers audience-building, reader retention, advanced messaging…
- Comic Lab
Are dad jokes ~bad~ jokes?
A new father asks if his baby will change how he writes. "Hey, Comics Dads, I'm worried," he says. "Hey, Worried, we're Comics Dads," we reply. And then Dave…
- Comic Lab
It's Friday — am I famous yet?
After six weeks of working on their comic, a listener asks how soon they can expect to make a living doing this — and gets an earful from Brad and Dave. Plus…
- Comic Lab
They can't all be winners
How much of your work would you consider "top tier?" Fifty percent? Twenty percent? And speaking of the top tier, Brad and Dave share a partial list of people…
- Comic Lab
Survivorship Bias
We've all heard successful creators complain that younger hopefuls "just don't want to do the hard work." They disregard the complicated nature of achieving…
- Comic Lab
Are we 'there' yet?
How did Brad and Dave know when they'd "made it"? ALSO: Now that you have a website with a blog... what do you write?? Brad shares a heartwarming story about…
- Comic Lab
How much story is too much story?
How do you know when you're giving your readers too many details? — or not enough? Where's the sweet spot between action and exposition? We're going deep on…
- Comic Lab
Social media is dead... now what?
Having completed their Kickstarters, Dave and Brad review the promotional outreach that delivered the biggest results and make a shocking discovery…
- Comic Lab
Building traffic vs building audience
Is it possible to build traffic for your comic without building an audience? Also, an anonymous post on Reddit accuses Webtoons of using a predatory contract…
- Comic Lab
Special guest Dave Blazek
This week, we're talking to Dave Blazek, creator of "Loose Parts," a single-panel comic syndicated to more than 120 newspapers worldwide. Blazek is a…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Jason Chatfield
New Yorker cartoonist Jason Chatfield joins us to talk about cartooning for the venerable mag, working with a writing partner, doing stand-up at Dangerfield's…
- Comic Lab
How to maximize creativity
We all have creative peaks and valleys. How can we maximize the good times and minimize the bad? ON TODAY'S SHOW Can you really maximize creativity? UPDATE…
- Comic Lab
Rebranding
How important is rebranding after a series of unsuccessful ventures? Also, how does one get their comic translated into another language — and why? ON TODAY'S…
- Comic Lab
How to find the perfect pen name
It's our most useful, actionable, practical show yet! Stufffed with handy tips and constructive advice for cartoonists and comic creators! ON TODAY'S SHOW Pen…
- Comic Lab
Stretching yourself thin
Dave has some thoughts on AI. And Brad hates to stretch. That's it. That's the show. ON TODAY'S SHOW Artificial Intelligence is going to force us to be more…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Scott Kurtz and "Tables Titans Club"
Scott Kurtz is on the show to talk about the release of his new book, "Table Titans Club." It's available at Target stores nationwide, along with Amazon…
- Comic Lab
Are you using the wrong tool for the job?
Kickstarter delivers on Discovery in a big way. So would it be wise to use it to replace our failing social media platforms? ON TODAY'S SHOW Using Kickstarter…
- Comic Lab
Using animation to promote
TikTok and Instagram reels are moving to the forefront of social media. Is it time to learn video/animation so you can promote your webcomic? ON THIS WEEK'S…
- Comic Lab
Can you make a living in comics?
Every once in a while, someone asks if it's possible actually to make a living in comics. It's a fair question, and it deserves an honest answer. SPONSORED…
- Comic Lab
Shopping for Success
A listener asks if they should write one big, successful comic or several mediocre ones. We have a bigger question: What makes you think you have a choice?!…
- Comic Lab
Fifty is nifty
BE ADVISED: We'll be discussing issues like death and dying in this episode. Dave turns fifty years old, and it has us talking about cartooning in the second…
- Comic Lab
How to Write a Short Story
We often advise that beginners write a few short stories to sharpen their comics-making skills before they tackle that 200-page epic that they're burning to…
- Comic Lab
Rethinking Outreach in 2024
As last year came to a close, it was becoming very clear that social media has been failing to deliver what we traditionally relied on it for — reaching our…
- Comic Lab
How to get started in comics, 2024 edition
One of our most often-requested topics is "How do I start a webcomic?" We're going to give you some step-by-step instructions — updated for the new year!…
- Comic Lab
Predictions and goals for 2024
Veteran cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar make some predictions and discuss their goals for the new year. 2024 Predictions BRAD: Twitter will crash in…
- Comic Lab
Brad learns to share
Better late than never, Brad learns to share. On social media, that is. And, using what he learned after weeks of analysis, he has a challenge for you: Try —…
- Comic Lab
2023 — The Year in Review
Veteran cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar look back on their predictions for 2023. They nailed a few and failed a few! PREDICTION SCORECARD Patreon will…
- Comic Lab
Where do you get ideas? Recorded live at the NCS Rueben Weekend
While we were at the National Cartoonists Society Rueben Awards Weekend, we stopped cartoonists and asked them one question: When you need to spark creativity…
- Comic Lab
We hate Patreon's Free Membership Tier
Patreon unveiled a free membership tier, and it's really throwing a monkey wrench into things. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... It's official. We hate Patreon's Free…
- Comic Lab
Declaring organizational bankrupcy
Dave brings in a new concept for the holidays — declaring organizational bankruptcy. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Declaring organizational bankruptcy A scaled-back…
- Comic Lab
Does your comic have an expiration date?
Referring to current events may give your comic an edge today, but it can also make your work harder for future generations to enjoy. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW…
- Comic Lab
"Critique my work for only a dollar!"
A ComicLab listener would like his friends to give him feedback on his comic — and he wants them to subscribe to his Patreon to do it. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... A…
- Comic Lab
Parasocial parables
Is it wise to exploit parasocial relationships to get more Patreon backers? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Drunk ComicLab Parasocial relationships on Patreon Are ads…
- Comic Lab
The New Patreon: The Good, The Bad, and That Logo
Patreon has unveiled a massive update to its service, and we'll discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... The Good The user experience…
- Comic Lab
A sexy, sexy defense of the Ninth Art
Sure, making comics is fun, but do we ever do serious work, like painting, sculpting, or other classical art forms? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Do we ever do…
- Comic Lab
Is syndication dead?
The Gannett newspaper chain, which includes USA Today and about 200 other daily newspapers, has selected 34 syndicated comics. Each of its newspapers will be…
- Comic Lab
Special guest Jamar Nicholas
We're thrilled to welcome Jamar Nicholas, creator of Leon The Extraordinary, to talk shop with us! ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Jamar Nicholas UPDATE: NCS and Planks…
- Comic Lab
The NCS Reuben Awards Week
Dave and Brad return from the National Cartoonist Society Reuben Awards with stories, anecdotes, and reflections. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... What is the NCS? The…
- Comic Lab
LIVE from the Reuben Awards — with special guests Sarah Andersen and Jason Chatfield
New Yorker cartoonist Jason Chatfield and "Sarah's Scribbles" cartoonist Sarah Andersen join Brad and Dave at the Farewell Brunch, closing out the National…
- Comic Lab
Are you too old to start in comics?
Is comics a young person's game? Pull up a (rocking) chair, and let's talk about it! ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Are you too old to start in comics? Battling…
- Comic Lab
How do I decide between writing and drawing?
Which is more important for a cartoonist to learn — writing or drawing? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Is it worth my time to learn how to draw AND how to write?…
- Comic Lab
The Thanos Snap
Thanos snaps his fingers and erases Brad and Dave's careers. They have all their current knowledge, talents, and skills. But they don't have their titles…
- Comic Lab
THe Wisdom of Small Mistakes
There's a definite benefit to making mistakes early in your career. They have a much lower impact than the ones that come later. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Making…
- Comic Lab
Did manga win comics?
Has manga overtaken American-style comics in the hearts and imaginations of readers? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Did manga win comics? UPDATE: Threads usage…
- Comic Lab
San Diego Comic-Con recap
Dave and Brad return from Comic-Con International in San Diego, and they have much to discuss! ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... San Diego Comic-Con recap UPDATE: Do we…
- Comic Lab
"You talked me out of a mistake, and I'd like to get back to making it as soon as possible"
This week a ComicLab listener writes to thank us for talking him out of a mistake — and to say he'd like to get back to making it as soon as possible. ON THIS…
- Comic Lab
Too may SHOULDs!
Today's show is sponsored by DriveThruComics.com! It's the first download comic shop — and we think it's the best! You should build a following on social…
- Comic Lab
Pulling at Threads
Today's show is sponsored by DriveThruComics.com! It's the first download comic shop — and we think it's the best! Social media giant Meta launched Threads and…
- Comic Lab
A Comic-Con about... comics?!?
Today's show is sponsored by DriveThruComics.com! It's the first download comic shop — and we think it's the best! With Marvel, Netflix, Sony, HBO, and…
- Comic Lab
Special Guest Phil Foglio
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work with a website, Dreamhost can help you get started. Phil Foglio joins us…
- Comic Lab
Using the Patreon plug-in on your website
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work, Dreamhost can help you get started. Patreon's WordPress plug-in enables…
- Comic Lab
How to learn storytelling
Let's talk about storytelling. What are some good ways to learn to do better storytelling? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... How to learn storytelling ComicLab LIVE at…
- Comic Lab
"I have a website... now what do I DO with it??"
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work, Dreamhost can help you get started. We hear from a listener who took our…
- Comic Lab
When readers attack... each other!
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work, Dreamhost can help you get started. It's bad enough if a reader makes an…
- Comic Lab
Surviving the churn
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work, Dreamhost can help you get started. It happens at the beginning of every…
- Comic Lab
How to Build an Audience
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work, Dreamhost can help you get started. We often get asked by our listeners…
- Comic Lab
Could OnlyFans be a Patreon alternative?
A listener asks if OnlyFans could be a Patreon alternative. Also, how do you know it's the right time to launch a Kickstarter? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Could…
- Comic Lab
Crushing a kid's dreams
Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! If you want to own and control your own work, Dreamhost can help you get started. A listener is planning to exhibit at…