June 11, 2026

Alaska Comics Camp 2026

1 hour 17 minutes

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)

This week, Dave returns from Alaska Comics Camp — https://minicon.alaskarobotics.com/comics-camp/ — with a glowing review of what he calls one of the most meaningful experiences of his professional life. He explains how the camp blends education, community, mentorship, and artistic growth in a remote setting that forces attendees to disconnect from technology and reconnect with one another. Along the way, Brad and Dave discuss what makes the camp special, the value of peer-to-peer learning, the recent panic over Kickstarter's updated NSFW guidelines, Eisner nominations, and the realities of pursuing recognition in comics.

Alaska Comics Camp

Alaska Robotics Comics Camp is a four-night creative retreat in the southeast Alaska rainforest for comics pros, visual storytellers, and adjacent creators — writers, game devs, filmmakers, journalists, musicians, and more.

You have to apply to attend. It’s not a standard “buy a badge and show up” event; accepted campers attend after the Alaska Robotics Mini-Con in Juneau.

Cost: Camp is listed at $800, which includes four nights of lodging, meals, and transportation to/from downtown Juneau. Financial aid is available, and asking for aid does not affect application review.

What to expect: workshops, presentations, peer conversations, campfires, board games, hanging out, and wandering through the woods and nearby ocean beach — basically “a professional development conference for people who don’t like conference rooms.”

Comfort level: rustic but not brutal — heated cabins, bunk beds with mattresses, flushing toilets, hot showers, power outlets, meals, snacks, coffee/tea, towels, and comfort items are provided. There’s no regular Wi-Fi or cell service at camp, though service is reachable by hike or ride.

How to participate next year: watch the Alaska Robotics Mini-Con / Comics Camp site and their social channels for the next application window. Recent camps have used an application process with deadlines months ahead of the event, so don’t wait until spring to start looking.

https://minicon.alaskarobotics.com/comics-camp/

Topics Covered

A complete tour of Alaska Comics Camp and how it evolved from a small Juneau event into an international gathering of cartoonists

School visits, library presentations, the Alaska Robotics Mini-Con, and the camp experience itself

Why the lack of cell service is one of the camp's greatest strengths

Classes taught by attendees on topics including storytelling, lettering, humor writing, character development, publishing, and business

An NSFW-comics discussion that impressed Brad with the camp's openness and professionalism

The importance of "Comics Rules" (similar to Chatham House Rules) in creating a safe environment for sharing industry information

Real-world discussions of publishing contracts, agents, income, and career sustainability

The anonymous income survey that helps attendees understand the wide range of successful cartooning careers

Why Alaska Comics Camp has become one of Dave's favorite events in all of comics

Stories from ComicLab listeners who attended camp after hearing about it on the podcast

Dave's observations about Alaska's landscape, culture, and strong sense of community

The tale of a failed camp water pump and Pat Race's MacGyver-level solution involving a distillery, a fire department, and a garden hose

The viral misinformation claiming Kickstarter had banned pornography

What Kickstarter's updated NSFW guidelines actually said

Why Stripe — not Kickstarter — is the real concern for adult-content creators

Brad's emergency solo Pro Tips episode explaining the new guidelines

How creators can avoid overreacting to social-media panic cycles

Listener feedback about what Brad and Dave's voices sound like to non-Americans

Congratulations to friends of the show, including Ryan North, Glenn Fleishman, Tony Cliff, and Steve Lieber, on their Eisner nominations

A discussion about award submissions, advocacy, and why creators must nominate themselves

The realities of comics awards, including Eisners, Ringo Awards, Hugos, Reubens, and Ignatz Awards

Whether award nominations come from changing your work — or simply years of steady improvement and persistence

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

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By Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett

4.9

310310 ratings