Comic Lab

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, audiences, or archives. What, where, and how do they RESTART?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Celebrating 300 episodes of ComicLab and 300 episodes of Pro Tips.The Thanos snapYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 small mistakes early so you can avoid big trauma laterRe-releasing old merchandiseVisual novelsLuck in social mediaYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 declines — is this the end of the Social Media Age?Kickstarter reaffirms commitment to AI technologyYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 recapUPDATE: Do we need to reintroduce "free?"UPDATE: Musk rebrands Twitter to "X."Sticking with a failing project too longProcreate for printYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 WEEK'S SHOW...Going back to making the same mistakePatreon for a short-term comicUPDATE: Patreon Free TrialUPDATE: Jerry Garcia — "Not everybody likes licorice, but people who like licorice... REALLY like licorice!" That's sage advice for  niche publishing.Particular advice for small comic conventionsComing back after a break — restart the online comic or Kickstart a book with finished materialsDriveThruComicsCheck out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.If you're interested in setting up a publisher account, here's some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing digital and print-on-demand books!You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 —

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 media. You should launch a website. You should focus on the quality of your comic. How do you manage all of these "SHOULDs?!" ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Too many "SHOULDs"UPDATE: ComicLab LIVE at NCS Reuben Awards Weekend: Sept. 8, 11 a.m. Special guest Sarah Andersen (Sarah's Scribbles)What cartooning advice would an 18-year-old actually listen to?Losing the passion for NSFW comicsDriveThruComicsCheck out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.If you're interested in setting up a publisher account, here's some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing digital and print-on-demand books!You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for

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 acquired over 40,000 users within the first 24 hours. Will this be the death knell for Twitter? And if it is, will that be good news for comic creators?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...ThreadsFree Trials on PatreonTweetDeck is going to become subscription-onlyComicLab LIVE at NCS Reuben Awards Weekend: Sept. 8, 11 a.m. Special guest Sarah Andersen (Sarah's Scribbles)DriveThruComicsCheck out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.If you're interested in setting up a publisher account, here's some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing digital and print-on-demand books!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

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 Universal pulling out of Hall H, what will San Diego Comic-Con be like? Some say that removing the Hollywood sightings and signings will allow the attendees to return their focus to the comics creators the show was initially founded to celebrate. Others fear a floor full of angry fans who spent hundreds on a show that isn't there.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...With Marvel, Netflix, Sony, HBO and Universal pulling out of Hall H, what will SDCC be like?UPDATE: Mastodon still ain't itUPDATE: BlueSkyUPDATE: Patreon video extended to Founder's levelDriveThruComicsCheck out the redesigned DriveThruComics here! Their team is looking for feedback as they work on the new layout and features, so pass along your thoughts using this Google Form.If you're interested in setting up a publisher account, here's some helpful information. They also have guides for creating and publishing

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 to discuss his long and storied career as an independent cartoonist! Best known for co-creating "Girl Genius"  with his wife Kaja, Phil talks about his breakout hit, "What's New with Phil and Dixie," his milestone NSFW series, "XXXenophile," developing the Gaslamp Fantasy genre, and the philosophies that have helped him navigate several decades as an independent comics creator.Fun Fact! Phil, Dave, and Brad are all nominated for the National Cartoonist Society's Silver Reuben Award for Best Online Longform Comic!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Special Guest Phil FoglioComicLab LIVE at San Diego Comic ConUPDATE: Google DomainsYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil

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 you to host Patreon-exclusive content on your website. We'll talk about how you can use this to grow your membership. Also, we'll talk about #comicsbrokemeON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Different ways to use the Patreon API#comicsbrokeme"My art style is "diverging!"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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Let's talk about storytelling. What are some good ways to learn to do better storytelling?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...How to learn storytellingComicLab LIVE at Comic Con International in San Diego (SATURDAY 8 p.m.)UPDATE: BlueSkyNothing's happening on Discord!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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 advice and launched their own website. And now they have only one question: "What the heck am I supposed to DO with it??"ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Alaska Comics CampI've got a website... now what do I DO with it??Photoshop AIUsing 3D backgrounds in CSPYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 unkind comment toward you, but what do you do when readers attack each other? When it results in some of those readers leaving your community, it's a problem that demands attention! Also: Patreon is offering a new feature: Free Trials! And Brad and Dave disagree on whether you should implement it!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...When readers attack — each otherWhat comes first — lettering or drawings?Patreon Free TrialsNaming files for eComicsYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 month — you lose a few Patreon backers. It can be demoralizing, so let's discuss ways to survive the churn! Also, how do you restart comics after a long hiatus?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Surviving the churnRestarting after a long hiatusLearning to writeYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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, "How can I increase my audience?" Well, in this episode, we've got you covered! We'll give you some great tips on how to grow your readership. Plus, we'll be discussing some fundamental rules of typography.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...How to build an audienceUPDATE: IDW layoffsUPDATE: Incorporating Patreon into a websiteLiving in a PROTOPIAN worldTypography rules of thumbYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 OnlyFans be a Patreon alternative?Is this a good time for a Kickstarter?UPDATE: New Yorker cartoonistTaking a break from cartooningYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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 a comic con — and their five-year-old wants to sell their own comic there, too! Should children be encouraged to sell their crayon-crafted cartoon books at conventions? Also, we discuss the difference between thumbnailing and penciling.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Five-year-old tabling at a conTwitter BlueUPDATE: thumbnails vs. pencilsUPDATE: Selling only four books through a publisherHow to hurt your characters... and whyYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

A ComicLab listener asks for advice on publishing two versions of the same book — one rated PG-13, and another rated R. Sounds an awful lot like what Brad does. So why is he so against it?!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Two versions of the same bookUPDATE: New York Times portfolio reviewUPDATE: Brad's birthday presentHow many hours spent drawing?Building narrative tensionHiring an assistant after an injuryYou 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 rewards.Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Let's talk "comics" — literally. A comic could be a single piece or an entire book. It could be a single panel or a series of panels. And although the word implies humor, many comics aren't supposed to be funny at all! Isn't there a better word for this thing we do?!ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...The word "comic"Lettering ... the invisible art"Traditional artist"Hi-res art as a Patreon reward?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 rewards.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Today's episode is sponsored by DreamHost — your first step in owning and controlling your own work! Artificial Intelligence continues to loom large in the comics world. New projects purportedly written and drawn entirely with bots are garnering mass attention. Is the breathless exaltation justified — or does it come down to novelty?ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...AI noveltyDoes a certain level of success bring a sense of complacency?UPDATE: Commission scam to look out forUPDATE: Dave's Writer's BlockUPDATE: Brad's comic makes Reddit's front pageLeveraging Myers-Briggs personality type for creativityYou 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 rewards.$10 — Gain access to the ComicLab livestreamed recording sessions (including an archive of past livestreams), plus $5-tier rewardsBrad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave K