Comic Lab

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are joined by the wonderful Alex Heberling to talk shop! They talk about handling discouragement and burn-out, staying motivated, and taking time for self-care.

Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! When a Patreon backer asks for tips on hustling and networking, Brad gets uncomfortable. Then, the guys struggle to make sense of demographic data. And finally, they help a fellow cartoonist navigate book distribution. BUT FIRST, Dave asks... if you could see one statistic floating over people's heads, what would it be?

 Cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! This week, they’re talking about avoiding boredom, and they take a deep dive on grappling with self-doubt. THEN they talk about how they adapt their writing processes to address those issues. NEXT, they talk about the dangers of sharing your self-doubt on social media. AND finally, a crucial question for today’s independent creators: What level of Patreon support denotes success?

Webcomics weirdos Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking comics with Ngozi Ukazu, creator of “Check, Please.” She talks sports comics, art school, self-publishing, and a wide range of creative challenges. BUT FIRST, Raina Telgemeier’s new book, “Guts,” receives a million-book print order, and we’re stoked!

When a Patreon backer hits the viral jackpot, they wonder if it wasn’t fool’s gold. This turns into a discussion of smart online marketing, how publishing religious content is like posting NSFW comics, and one overarching theme — social media isn’t about generating Buzz so much as it’s about building Community. Then, the boys talk about getting a publisher excited about comics, and finally, those sentimental things we hold onto that we should probably let go.

Webcomics watchmen Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking Inktober with  Jake Parker, the founder of Inktober. They discuss Inktober, how it started, and where it’s going. Also... is it OK to use Sharpie markers or digital art in an ink-drawing challenge?

Webcomics wranglers Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop with  Lex Fajardo. He's an Eisner Award winner, Senior Editor of Charles Schulz Studios, and the creator of his own comic series Kid Beowulf. When he asks if Patreon is right for him, he gets an earful... and a top-down restructuring of his entire approach (whether he wanted it or not)!

Webcomics workhorses Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop with  Kazu Kibuishi on the eve of the release of his eighth volume of his graphic-novel series, "Amulet." TheNew York Times Best-Selling graphic novelist talks about the early crisis that redefined his career.

Dave and Brad discuss why you should be encouraging people to follow your Kickstarter campaign. THEN, a thoughtful Patreon backer asks how they can support the web cartoonist in their life. NEXT, a backer asks for strategies for building buzz on Twitter (short of a flame war). ALSO, the guys give advice on knowing which parts of your webcomics business you should outsource. And FINALLY, a patron asks why there has been so little innovation in webcomics.

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.

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.” NEXT, are Dave and Brad still excited about Bonjoro And FINALLY, why do we hate thought balloons so much? Is it time to re-think our animosity?

Brad and Dave discuss the agony of Kickstarter panic. THEN Dave gets some advice on using one's own photo on social media. NEXT, a patron asks about brainstorming. THEN another patron asks about the main sources of webcomics revenue — 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.

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 Novemb

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 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.

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.