With both Brad and Dave nominated for awards this year, the guys spiral into a surprisingly deep conversation about awards, marketing, ego, and whether creators should plaster “award nominee” stickers all over their books. Later, they tackle a listener question about using 3D models, digital sets, and reference material in comics production — leading to a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how both creators actually build comics pages in tools like Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop. Along the w...
May 28, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 441
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 vertical-scroll storytelling, they explore how creators are adapting to phones, social media, and changing reading habits while keeping the heart of the comic strip alive. Topics covered The evolution of newspaper comic strips Why horizontal strips existed in the first place How phones changed comics formatting Square-format comics on Reddi...
May 21, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 440
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. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. • Check it out at https://comiclabshop.com • Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) Brad and Dave tackle a listener question that gets to the heart of creative careers: Can you make a living telling shorter stories, or does success ...
May 14, 2026•55 min•Ep. 439
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 harder. Brad and Dave break down why shorter, punchier words tend to win, how sound and rhythm affect comedy, and why you should always end on the funniest word . They also walk through their real-world writing process—cutting aggressively, reading dialogue out loud, and constantly swapping in better word choices. From there, the conversa...
May 07, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 438
This episode examines a Bluesky thread where cartoonists self-reported their financial realities. While the original question was thoughtful — seeking insight into full-time and part-time comic careers — the resulting discussion revealed a common problem: an echo chamber of discouragement . Brad and Dave emphasize that these threads often skew negative due to self-selection bias . Many successful creators don’t participate—either because they’re busy, uncomfortable sharing income, or wary of bac...
Apr 30, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 437
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. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. *Check it out here: https://comiclabshop.com *Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) On Today's Show: Your comic is gaining traction — but now readers want answers faster than you can tell the story. Brad and Dave explain why that’s...
Apr 23, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 436
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. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. • Check it out at https://comiclabshop.com • Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) The platforms we trusted to grow our audience have pulled the rug out from under us, and it’s time to take that control back. Brad and Dave explore ...
Apr 16, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 435
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. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price. • Check it out at https://comiclabshop.com • Use code COMICLAB5 for an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid through June 14th) TODAY'S SHOW How to do a two-page splash page Get your discounted Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) at comiclabshop.com - COMICLAB5 UPDATE: Got a comment for ...
Apr 09, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 434
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 organizations to keeping up with “the kids,” this conversation is packed with practical, experience-tested advice. But first things first! Here's Brad's 2021 blog post about the science behind why vampires don't cast a reflection in a mirror . Are Art Galleries Worth It? A listener asks whether exhibiting in a gallery helps grow a comics ...
Apr 02, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 433
This week on ComicLab, veteran comic artists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett kick things off a discussion about something every cartoonist wrestles with: work-life balance . If you’re juggling a day job, relationships, and your creative ambitions, Brad and Dave break down practical strategies that actually work — including: • Why consistency beats intensity • How to build a repeatable creative schedule • The power of small, daily wins • And why your health and relationships are just as critical as ...
Mar 26, 2026•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 432
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 platforms becoming less reliable for discovery, the classic web ring is making a comeback as a way for creators to promote each other directly. Along the way, the guys discuss audience targeting, technical setup, and why the success of a web ring depends more on community alignment than on code. Plus: tattoo debates, Tolkien romance arguments, a...
Mar 19, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 431
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 have made all the mistakes, so you don't have to! They'll talk about trying too hard, encountering hostility, and trying to fit into a community that's just not right for you. Speaking of realizing a community isn't a good fit, Dave just found out he was kicked off Amazon. And that's perfectly OK with him. Today's Show UPDATE: Dave has be...
Mar 12, 2026•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 430
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 down one of the most important (and misunderstood) distinctions in storytelling. A concept is the engine that drives your story forward. A conceit is a clever wrapper that might look great… but doesn’t go anywhere. If you’ve ever launched a comic that felt strong at first but ran out of momentum, this conversation will hit home. We talk abou...
Mar 05, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 429
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: it’s not by “murdering another colorist in single combat” — though that was discussed) What “flatting” is — and why it’s often your first step into paid coloring work Why networking is really just “being friends with cartoonists” Portfolio strategy: Why saying “I do everything” is less effective than saying “I do this brilliantly” Analog ...
Feb 26, 2026•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 428
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 paralysis is normal, and how time, grief, and self-reflection can ultimately deepen your storytelling. Also: Dave is quitting Amazon Advantage, and he shares why he made that startling decision. Today's Show Comics Will Break Your Heart (and so will dating) Dave Kellett's "Double Dog Dare" book Amazon Advantage Imposter Syndrome and mental ...
Feb 19, 2026•56 min•Ep. 427
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 Kickstarter scams. Today's Show What can cartoonists learn from Mel Brooks? Kickstarter Summary In this episode of ComicLab, cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the challenges and joys of creativity, drawing inspiration from Mel Brooks' documentary. They explore themes of fear, kindness, and the importance of perseverance in artisti...
Feb 12, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 426
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. After that the way, they tackle some big (and surprisingly relatable) topics: Are they actually going to use Patreon Quips ? Dave’s Bad 2025 — what went wrong, what he learned, and why it matters Why you never stop building an audience , even when things feel “established” And yes… being scared of Reddit comments is universal! Summary In t...
Feb 05, 2026•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 425
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 publisher shows signs of instability, mismanagement, or collapse. Today's Show Five Lessons from a Publisher in Crisis Submitting your work for awards Summary Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the importance of owning and controlling one's career in the comic industry. They discuss the need for business acumen among cartoonists an...
Jan 29, 2026•58 min•Ep. 424
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 promote his own work gets some encouragement and words of advice from the veteran comic creators. TODAY'S SHOW Should you judge a book by its cover? Too embarrassed to promote Takeaways A book's cover plays a significant role in its marketability. It's important to design a cover that reflects the content of the comic. Promoting comics can be ...
Jan 22, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 423
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 episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett break down what new cartoonists actually need to focus on in their first years: writing first, consistency over hype, owning your work, and building an audience the right way. You’ll learn why you don’t need Webtoon or Tapas, why monetizing too early can derail your career, how social media really fit...
Jan 15, 2026•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 422
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 pointed listener question that cuts straight to the bone: If they have the skills, the experience, and the ideas — why haven’t they launched even more projects? The answer isn’t defensive or dismissive. Instead, it becomes a clear-eyed breakdown of creative bandwidth, sustainability, work-life balance, and the invisible labor that propels up a...
Jan 08, 2026•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 421
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 shop the Comicraft New Year's Day sale on January 1st. Brad's Predictions Syndicated comics reach the tipping point Creator identity becomes prominent Substack pulls through Webtoon bubble bursts Patreon expands “community” and “discovery” tools. AI gains acceptance Dave's predictions If you want a stable career in comics, produce Dog Man. NC...
Jan 01, 2026•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 420
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 year comes to a close, it's the brutally honest follow-up episode where they grade themselves — and sometimes discover that Past-Brad and Past-Dave were wildly optimistic. Or deluded. Or both. 2025 PREDICTIONS DAVE: Business planning for cartoonists is gonna be filled with a lot of anxiety. Trump will be a chaos agent. BRAD: the “winners” o...
Dec 25, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 419
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." They delve into the importance of advanced planning for holiday sales. Finally, they share strategies for engaging audiences at comic conventions, covering pricing strategies and the psychology of sales, and emphasizing the importance of understanding costs and audience engagement. Today's Show Print on Demand How to "Let Time Be Your Edit...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 418
Syndicated cartoonists Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman share their journey of collaboration that spans over 35 years, focusing on their iconic comic strip, "Baby Blues." They discuss their initial meeting, the challenges of working together, the creative process behind their gags, and the evolution of their work. The dialogue highlights the joys and conflicts of collaboration, the importance of humor in parenting, and the unique dynamics of their partnership. They discuss their early encounters wit...
Dec 11, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 417
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... but small. Webtoon is terrific... if you're doing the style and content that their users prefer. Patreon has recently added features to promote discoverability and reader-retention. And the legacy social-media platforms — Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook — have been failing creators for years now. Brad and Dave share actionable advice to ...
Dec 04, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 416
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? The answer is more nuanced than you might think! Also, the comics uncles will discuss the right ways — and the wrong way — to sign your books for fans. Huion Huion is sponsoring today's show, and they're offering additional discounts on the following products when you use the discount code: ComicLab Kamvas 22 Plus — A luxurious large-scr...
Nov 27, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 415
Cartoonist Brad Guigar talks about his love/hate relationship with Reddit — and the publishing strategy that's currently delivering Patreon backers that has him loving it again. Today's Show Brad's Love/Hate Relationship with Reddit The ComicLab Accent Challenge Working on Comics at Work NSFW comic artists on Reddit Brad mentioned getting great advice from people doing NSFW comics on Reddit. Here are a few of them. u/GrimDarkDork u/DarlingSnarl u/LeFauxCreux Takeaways Boredom can spark creativit...
Nov 20, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 414
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 keep the business aloft. So it's important, from time to time, to check for wobbly legs! What are the sources of comics income that are currently vulnerable? Today's Show Vulnerable legs Susan MacTaggart Design vs Style Summary In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore various themes related creativity and the...
Nov 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 413
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 checkout to receive 10% off any purchase from their store — the current issue, back issues, a subscription, digital editions, "The Complete Betty Brown" book collection, whatever you see there that catches your eye! Summary In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss Brad's recent Kickstarter campaign, where he sha...
Nov 06, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 412
