Today's episode is sponsored by Bonjoro — an amazing app that enables you to quickly send personalized welcome and thank you videos to your readers, clients, patrons, or backers. This week, Dave and Brad talk about a hot topic in art — NFTs. We'll discuss what it is and whether it's the future of valuing digital art. Questions asked and topics covered... NFTs — Nonfungible Tokens How to get started — planning the path to your goal Physical injuries You get great rewards when you join the ComicLa...
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 171
Today's episode is sponsored by Bonjoro — an amazing app that enables you to quickly send personalized welcome and thank you videos to your readers, clients, patrons, or backers. This week, Dave and Brad talk about how bad their early comics were. Plus — the comics your readers love best can sometimes be the ones you put the least work into. Questions asked and topics covered... Dave's childhood obsession with The Last Unicorn Brad celebrates 21 years in webcomics Craptastic to Fantastic — we we...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 170
Today's episode is sponsored by Bonjoro — an amazing app that enables you to quickly send personalized welcome and thank you videos to your readers, clients, patrons, or backers. This week, Dave and Brad discuss the difference between Mirror Research and Market Research. Questions asked and topics covered... Dave discovers the "meet cute" Mirror Research vs Market Research Clubhouse Texting social-media posts using Community.com Webcomics.com vs ComicLab Plotting a story You get great rewards wh...
Mar 18, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 169
Today's episode is sponsored by Bonjoro — an amazing app that enables you to quickly send personalized welcome and thank you videos to your readers, clients, patrons, or backers. Dave and Brad share their favorite books about comics history, including: The Ten-Cent Plague Marvel Comics — The Untold Story Slugfest: Inside the Epic, 50-Year Battle Between Marvel and DC Comics, The Complete Collection The 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics Stripped documentary interviews 75 Years at DC Comics Q...
Mar 06, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 168
We're thrilled to welcome our new sponsor, Bonjoro — an amazing app that enables you to quickly send personalized welcome and thank you videos to your readers, clients, patrons, or backers. Dave and Brad discuss the difference between the Goal of an artist — and that artist's Job. The two aren't always the same, and resolving that conflict leads to better work. Questions asked and topics covered... Goal vs Job Take the time you need to do good comics Parenthood and creativity Podcasting Brad and...
Mar 04, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 167
Dave and Brad discuss the importance of "luck" in your creative career — and how you can increase the chances of that happening. Questions asked and topics covered... Dave Kellett gives advice on getting lucky When it's OK if your work changes over time When it's not OK when your work changes over time Eisner submissions are due! The dangers of mixing friends and business Brad and Dave talk about podcasts You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access to ...
Feb 25, 2021•55 min•Ep. 166
Dave and Brad ask, "What's your motivation to create?" Are you doing this for the "right" reasons? Questions asked and topics covered... Creative motivation Line width Releasing a book exclusively on Amazon? 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 $10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast $50 ...
Feb 18, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 165
Dave and Brad talk about the best advice they never wanted — those "truth hurts" moments that changed their careers. Questions asked and topics covered... Have you ever gotten advice you didn't want to hear? How do you change specific aspects of your drawing style? Amazon Advantage Which syndicated cartoonist would have made a good webcartoonist Should you change the spelling of your name to increase social-media hits? Preparing a page/panel for different uses You get great rewards when you join...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 164
This week, Dave and Brad take several questions about self-publishing. From the best way to build an audience to handling overseas shipping — it's all about getting your work into print! Questions asked and topics covered... What's the best way to build an audience for a book release? Is there a way to circumvent the rising prices of international shipping? Color printing — is it worth the increased costs? Selling in multiple consecutive formats The best format to reach pre-teens You get great r...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 163
This week, Dave and Brad talk about making plans in 2021. Will there be a return to conventions? Will Kickstarter remain reliable? How will global finances affect independent creators? Questions asked and topics covered... Assessing 2021 and planning for success What didn't we accomplish in 2020? Is "webcomic" an outdated word? How to change a Patreon without angering current backers Selling digital originals? Artist Editions You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon ...
Jan 28, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 162
This week, a listener asks about origins the "paying it forward" nature of Brad and Dave. So they spend the first part of the show talking about their mentorship philosophies. Questions asked and topics covered... Paying it forward If you were to name a living cartoonist for the MacArthur Genius Grant, who would you name? Quality vs. speed What to work on improving first You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a question for...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 161
This week, Brad and Dave discuss "slice of life" comics — and why using that term might not be the best promotional strategy. Questions asked and topics covered... Slice of Life comics Creative page layout — and why to avoid it NSFW comics advice How to get into the mood for comics 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 $10 — Record an audio quest...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 160
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! To help ring in 2021, let's take one more look back at some of the moments that made us happy to be creating comics during a particularly challenging year. 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 $10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exc...
Jan 07, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 159
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, Brad and Dave have some thoughts about finding success in the new year. Questions asked and topics covered... How to be successful in 2021 Making conscious improvements on art How soon is too soon for print? Posting on the weekend? 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 ProT...
Dec 31, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 158
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, Brad and Dave talk about crafting names for the characters, places and objects in your comic. Questions asked and topics covered... Naming things "Do you ever get the urge to draw something else?" Squarespace adds an exclusive-content tier The difficulties in writing stories from personal experience Sci-fi writer Samuel Delany's advice on re-doing old work You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Co...
Dec 24, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 157
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, Brad and Dave devote the entire show to one topic — Getting started. They have ten suggestions for anyone who wants to start publishing their own comic on the Web. Getting Started... Starting with the Right Attitude Don't Wait for the Right Time Update schedule: Consistent, Frequent, Significant Using Social Media Wisely Advertising Merchandising Prepare for Success Stop Obsessing over Your Stats Learn Lett...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 156
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, Brad inaugurates a new segment called "And That's Why I Self-Publish!" Next: A site that scraped exclusive Patreon content bites the dust, and we learn from the experience. Questions asked and topics covered... And That's Why I Self-Publish Patreon content-scraper folds When to make s Patreon post public Repetitive tasks You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access...
Dec 10, 2020•48 min•Ep. 155
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, the guys talk about blessings in disguise — moments when they didn't achieve a goal they greatly desired... and later found out that succeeding would have made their lives worse. Questions asked and topics covered... What thing did you really really want for your career, that didn’t happen...that only NOW do you see is a godsend that it didn’t happen? Stuck on the first C of social media — Content Backgroun...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 154
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, a ComicLab listener asks if it's better to write from anger or from love. Also: Is January a bad time to launch a new webcomic? Questions asked and topics covered... Which do you find more effective as a writer — comedy born from anger at something or comedy born from affection? Is January a bad time to launch a new webcomic? Finding a running gag Coping with "bad hands" Beginners should place less focus on...
Nov 26, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 153
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, a ComicLab listener writes in to inform Dave and Brad that neither of them "actually have a cartoonist's job." To put it lightly, the guys disagree. But first, Brad creates a socially distant candy chute for Halloween -- Questions asked and topics covered... Dave delivers a Zoom lecture to art students What does it take to be considered a "cartoonist" in today's world? Should the drawing match the writing? ...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 152
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, a ComicLab listener who is just starting out in comics asks how they can build an audience on social media. Also: how do you cover the second print run after you sell out of the copies from the first run? Questions asked and topics covered... How can a beginner build a following on social media Dave compliment's Brad on developing a secondary drawing style Celebrity vs Fame — which is more likely for cartoo...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 151
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, a ComicLab listener asks for the story behind Brad and Dave's friendship. Then the guys discuss whether it's OK to use photo reference. Questions asked and topics covered... What is the history of Brad and Dave's friendship? Is photo reference cheating? How do you manage multiple projects? How should you acknowledge a "big-name" follow on social media? You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Commun...
Nov 05, 2020•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 150
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, a ComicLab listener asks Brad and Dave about their philosophies on mentoring and coaching other cartoonists. And another listener asks if Brad's advice makes it harder to succeed. Questions asked and topics covered... How to be a good mentor and coach Does Brad's advice make it harder to succeed? Is it possible to be TOO nice? Should a beginner spend time on social media? You get great rewards when you join...
Oct 29, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 149
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, we're thrilled to welcome our friend Keith Knight to the 'Lab. Keith's new TV series, based on his comics, is premiering on Hulu right now. We talk about "Woke," Keith's journey in comics, and the creative process of adapting comics for television. 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 t...
Oct 22, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 148
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! A ComicLab listener is trying to decide on a domain name for their comic, and Brad and Dave have some advice. Then, Brad has an easy way to tell if your promotional outreach is actually spam. Questions asked and topics covered... Choosing a domain name "Am I a spammer?" Drawing/sketching for fun Time management You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Sub...
Oct 15, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 147
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! If your outreach is "Support me on Patreon," you're delivering a tone-deaf message. We're going to talk about getting more backer by adjusting your pitch. Plus, we have our first ComicLab nuptials! Questions asked and topics covered... Wedding bells! Don't say "Support me on Patreon" Pandemic update — how has your 2020 plan changed? Is it possible to over-pose your comic? How to know if you're "giving away the store" ...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 146
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, Dave and Brad talk about the hurdles they've experienced as artists. And then, when a prominent arts educator advocates for the use of "Poor Man's Copyright," Brad's head nearly explodes. Questions asked and topics covered... Artisting hurdles Poor Man's Copyright What did Dave do at Mattel? Why don't we talk about fumetti comics? You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Ea...
Oct 01, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 145
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, our friend Erika Moen joins us to talk about one of the most important topics we've ever covered on ComicLab — Mental health. Coming soon from Erika Moen... Drawn to Sex Vol. 2: Our Bodies and Health. Have you ever wanted to learn exactly how pregnancy works? How about what to expect at your next doctor’s visit? Or even just really understanding what’s “down there”? Erika and Matthew are ready to help out w...
Sep 24, 2020•2 hr 41 min•Ep. 144
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! As a follow-up to our conversation about writing a strong beginning to your story, we've discussed the benefits of beginning a story in media res. But action, action and more action isn't going to do the trick alone. So today we're talking about another aspect of a a strong opening — setting an emotional hook! Questions asked and topics covered... Setting an emotional hook Ira Glass' essay "The Gap" has us discussing ...
Sep 17, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 143
Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One ! This week, we're talking about using a joke that you didn't write. That topic leads into a discussion of the controversy that exploded after Alphonso Dunn posted a video accusing Jake Parker of plagiarism. Questions asked and topics covered... Using other people's writing in your comic The Inktober controversy — did Jake Parker plagiarize Alphonso Dunn What should your highest-level Patreon tier be? How to handle a wo...
Sep 10, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 142
