SHOW NOTE: Brad's microphone had some technical difficulties this week. Please excuse the momentary dip in sound quality. This week, we're talking about the right way to use a sketchbook. Also, is it a good idea to abandon social media completely and replace it with blogging? SUMMARY The hosts discuss the different ways they use sketchbooks and emphasize that there is no right or wrong way to use them. They encourage listeners to use sketchbooks in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to t...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr•Ep 347•Transcript available on Metacast Sometimes, it seems as if the more your skills improve, the longer it takes to get something done! Shouldn't it be the other way around?! Also... what's the most polite way to tell a comic-con shopper to just stop reading and BUY the danged comic? ON TODAY'S SHOW How to get better faster and faster better Sites with links to webcomics Stop reading and BUY it! SUMMARY In this conversation, Brad and Dave discuss speeding up the sketching phase in comics. They also talk about the availability of we...
Aug 01, 2024•55 min•Ep 346•Transcript available on Metacast Dave and Brad share proven strategies for building your audience on Substack. Also: What are the best approaches for dummy lettering — lettering that's supposed to be unreadable? TODAY'S SHOW How to get new sign-ups on Substack UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Dave Kellett's booth (#1228) during Comic-Con International UPDATE: The National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Awards will feature TWO live ComicLab shows UPDATE: ComicLab's social-media videos Dummy lettering SUMMARY The hosts di...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 345•Transcript available on Metacast Have you ever wanted to just quit? When all seems lost... when you're all out of hope... when you're about to give up, just remember... it can always get worse. Dave and Brad talk about surviving those dark nights of the soul and finding a little light. ON TODAY'S SHOW When to throw in the towel UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Comic-Con International, Booth #1228 SUMMARY In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss moments in their careers when they felt frustrated and wanted to give up. Th...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep 344•Transcript available on Metacast 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 that nearly immobilizes him — if not for a meaningful intervention from a trusted friend. SHOW NOTES Raising rates on Patreon UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab enamel pin at Comic-Con International at Booth #1228 UPDATE: ComicLab LIVE at NCS When is it OK to use regional colloquialisms and idioms? SUMMARY Brad and Dave discuss Brad's deci...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep 343•Transcript available on Metacast Marvel/Scholastic illustrator Asia Simone ( Instagram , Twitter )shares her experience of illustrating a "Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" book, navigating the world of YA graphic novel publishing, and... surviving Brad's studio! Next, a listener asks... "Should I jump to Cara?" TODAY'S SHOW Special guest Asia Simone Should I jump to Cara? San Diego Comic-Com 2024 Breaking the 4th Wall EDITOR'S NOTE During the show, Brad and Dave insisted that Jim Davis rarely breaks the Fourth Wall in " Garfield ." ...
Jul 04, 2024•59 min•Ep 342•Transcript available on Metacast Substack is one of the few social-media newcomers that actually produces visible results. It delivers audience-building, reader retention, advanced messaging, intelligent analytics, savvy promotion, and discovery. Better yet, it has a user interface that's a joy to use. So why are so many cartoonists perplexed by it? Brad and Dave do a deep dive into this new platform and offer strategies for using it effectively. ON TODAY'S SHOW Substack user guide How much worldbuilding should you do when you ...
Jun 27, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 341•Transcript available on Metacast 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 invites Brad to pull his finger. After they discuss the effects of parenthood on creativity, a friendly zinester writes in to take Brad to task over his dismissal of zines as "nutty." ON TODAY'S SHOW How does fatherhood affect writing? UPDATE: Google's AI meltdown UPDATE: Zines are not "nutty" UPDATE: Dave may have been wrong about Patreon'...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 340•Transcript available on Metacast 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, Brad and Dave share more of their picks for Reuben Award nominees. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the importance of having realistic expectations and enjoying the creative process when making comics. They share their own experiences of how long it took them to see financial success and build an audience. They caution against starti...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr•Ep 338•Transcript available on Metacast 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 they think should be nominated for a Reuben Award this year. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the ratio of their work that they consider to be top-tier. They also talk about the benefits of posting comics panel by panel. Next, they share their lists of cartoonists who should be considered for the golden Reuben Award. They also touch ...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 339•Transcript available on Metacast 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 their status and dismiss aspiring novices on the basis of one single factor. Survivorship bias is undoubtedly a result of flawed reasoning. ...But is it bad advice? Brad and Dave discuss survivorship bias in the creative community and its impact on success. They acknowledge that survivorship bias exists but argue that it is not the sole dete...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 337•Transcript available on Metacast 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 his dad's induction into the Michigan High School Bowling Hall of Fame. They discuss the concept of 'making it' as a cartoonist and the different definitions of success. They also address the challenges of rating one's comic in terms of age appropriateness and content warnings. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss how to hand...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 336•Transcript available on Metacast 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 storycraft this week! PLUS: Zines, gutters, and distribution! THIS WEEK'S SHOW How much story to write Should you be doing a zine? Gutters Borders Distribution 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 Pro...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep 335•Transcript available on Metacast Having completed their Kickstarters, Dave and Brad review the promotional outreach that delivered the biggest results and make a shocking discovery. Traditionally, social media platforms were the biggest drivers of Kickstarter pledges. But in 2024 they barely made the top ten. That raises an important question: If we can't rely on social media to deliver a Kickstarter pledge — and if it's increasingly difficult to build an audience there — why are we using it? ON TODAY'S SHOW Kickstarter post mo...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 334•Transcript available on Metacast 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. ON TODAY'S SHOW Building traffic vs. building an audience UPDATE: SDCC Panels UPDATE: Dave's 500 for 50 Is the Webtoons contract "predatory?" 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. Pl...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 333•Transcript available on Metacast 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 three-time NCS Silver Reuben award winner and a danged delight. We'll discuss how he became an "accidental cartoonist" and his unique approach to writing humor. 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 p...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 332•Transcript available on Metacast 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 comedy club, helming the 104-year-old Ginger Meggs syndicated comic, and much, much more! ON TODAY'S SHOW Jason Chatfield on Substack Chatfield on creative collaborations Doing standup at Dangerfield's Chatfield on building subscriptions on Substack Is There Something In This? podcast You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Commun...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep 331•Transcript available on Metacast 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: Dave's TikTok prediction may still come true UPDATE: 3-part series on Kickstarter coming to Pro Tips Favorite comics from outside the US 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. Plus $2-t...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 330•Transcript available on Metacast 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 SHOW Rebranding Translating a comic UPDATE: The importance of monthly Profit/Loss statements UPDATE: Authors Equity Planning for page turns 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. Plus...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep 329•Transcript available on Metacast 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 names UPDATE: Dave's Kickstarter at picklesbook.com UPDATE: Patreon Welcome surveys Honorifics, acronyms, and abbreviations in word balloons. 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. Pl...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 328•Transcript available on Metacast 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 creative How important is it to rest? NOTE: The Kickstarter for Brad's new Evil Inc books ends this week! Time is running out! 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. Plus $2-tier reward...
Mar 21, 2024•56 min•Ep 327•Transcript available on Metacast 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 , Barnes & Noble , and your local bookstore ! ON TODAY'S SHOW Reimagining the "Table Titans" webcomic as a middle-school graphic novel Working with an editor for the first time Pivoting from self-publishing to traditional publishing Book shows vs comic conventions Early accolades for the book Personal appearances NOTE: The Kickstarter for Brad'...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep 326•Transcript available on Metacast 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 as social media? UPDATE: NCS Reuben Awards 2024 UPDATE: Dave has "Still Got it!" Posting a parody on Webtoon to gain notoriety NOTE: The Kickstarter campaign for Brad's new Evil Inc book is in full swing! You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a question for pos...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 325•Transcript available on Metacast 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 SHOW... Using animation to promote UPDATE: Short Story Challenge UPDATE: Eisner deadline UPDATE: AI Art A digital-exclusive eComic 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. Plus $2-tier re...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 324•Transcript available on Metacast 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 BY... ComicLab is brought to you this week by the book "How Comics Were Made, a Visual History from the Drawing Board to the Printed Page." Comics historian and ComicLab fan Glenn Fleishman has spent years researching the history of newspaper comic strip production and reproduction and is bringing his expertise to this printed work full of co...
Feb 22, 2024•56 min•Ep 323•Transcript available on Metacast 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?! Also, it turns out the whole "Substack nazi" thing was yet another case of Platform Panic. SPONSORED BY... ComicLab is brought to you this week by the book "How Comics Were Made, a Visual History from the Drawing Board to the Printed Page." Comics historian and ComicLab fan Glenn Fleishman has spent years researching the history of newspaper...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 322•Transcript available on Metacast 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 half of one's life. And we're not the only ones asking existential questions. Our first question asker is worried that they're not going to have time to work on all of their ideas in one lifetime! Finally, we break down Wacom's troubling use of AI art in a promotional image! ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Dave turns 50 years old Too many ideas for ...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 321•Transcript available on Metacast 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 produce! But how do you write a short story? Today's show offers an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide! Use this blueprint to participate in the ComicLab Short Story Challenge ! PLUS... if it's a benefit to list your comic on as many eStores as possible, why is it a bad idea to do the same with crowdfunding platforms? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... ...
Feb 01, 2024•56 min•Ep 320•Transcript available on Metacast 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 current readers and finding new ones. So this year Brad is trying out a new platform — Subsack. But that comes with a whole new learning curve — and more than a few ethical issues to wrestle with! SHOW NOTES: Two points of clarification. First, the question is raised whether a user can export an email list from Substack. This is, indeed a fe...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep 319•Transcript available on Metacast 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! Plus... we always stress the importance of doing a good comic. That begs another question: "How do I know if my comic is good?" ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... How to start a webcomic in 2024 "How do I know if my comic is good?" UPDATE: Kindle Direct Publishing You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 318•Transcript available on Metacast 
