Today's show is brought to you by Dreamhost! It's the first step in owning and controlling your own work. Check out the special offers at dreamhost.com/comiclab. Once again, Dave Kellett returns from Comic-Con International with a full report featuring actual numbers from his time spent exhibiting at his booth. He'll share what worked, what didn't, and what he has planned for next year. Next, it's the COMICLAB SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE! After Brad challenges Dave to remove the social-media apps from his phone and charge the phone on the other side of the room at bedtime, the guys decide to make this a group experiment. Do YOU accept the challenge?

Dave reflects on the success of his booths, strategies for engaging with fans, and the importance of presentation. The conversation shifts to a new social media challenge, where they explore the impact of social media on productivity and creativity. They encourage listeners to join them in reducing social media usage and share their experiences. The episode concludes with a focus on future plans and the importance of community engagement.

Comic-Con was a success for both hosts, with increased sales and engagement.

Preparation and presentation are key to a successful Comic-Con booth.

The hosts discuss the importance of original art and its display.

Social media can be a significant time sink, impacting productivity.

The hosts challenge each other to reduce social media usage for a week.

Engaging with the Comic Lab community is important for accountability.

The hosts reflect on their experiences and lessons learned from Comic-Con.

They emphasize the importance of personal connections at conventions.

The episode encourages listeners to take control of their social media habits.

You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon

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If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

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 episode is sponsored by Dreamhost — your first step in owning and controlling your own work! Visit them at https://www.dreamhost.com/comiclab . This week, Brad and Dave are joined by Greg and Karen Evans, who are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their syndicated comic strip, Luann. Karen — then, a toddler — was the inspiration for the strip when Greg launched it in 1985. Twenty-seven years later, Karen joined her father to co-write the comic. They'll discuss that journey, their collaborative process, the significance of reader interaction, and more.

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Greg and Karen Evans reflect on their 40-year journey with the comic strip Luann. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of the submission process, the evolution of their characters, and the importance of collaboration in their creative process. The conversation also touches on their experiences at Comic-Con, the significance of reader interaction, and the unique challenges of adapting 2D characters into 3D models. Throughout, they emphasize the joy of storytelling and the impact of their work on fans and the cartooning community.

Takeaways

• 40 years of Luann is a tremendous achievement.
• The early submission process was filled with frustration.
• Character development is crucial in storytelling.
• Collaboration has enhanced the creative process.
• Reader interaction has shaped the strip's evolution.
• Comic-Con provides a unique opportunity for connection.
• 3D modeling presents new challenges for cartoonists.
• Aging characters allows for deeper storytelling.
• The importance of humor in everyday life.
• The joy of creating and sharing stories with fans.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

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, YOU are the star of the show. We asked ComicLab listeners to help us celebrate our 400th episode by calling in with favorite memories from our seven years of podcasting. And — WOW! — did you ever deliver! Today's show will put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.

ComicLab has been cranking out episodes about making comics — and making a living from comics — every week since January 2018. (Twice a week, if you count the Patreon-exclusive Pro Tips episodes!) A show that set out to share shop talk, advice, and friendship has become a weekly favorite of cartoonists, comic creators, and people who simply enjoy hearing people share their passion 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. Plus $2-tier rewards.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

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's show is brought to you by Dreamhost — your first step in owning and controlling your own work. This week, the fellas wonder what it would be like to win the lottery. Then, Brad shares stories from the American Library Association conference in Philadelphia. Finally, Brad and Dave explain why placing white text on a black background can cause eye fatigue.

Today's Show

• What if we won the lottery?
• No more Susan MacTaggart
• Dreamhost.com/ComicLab
• UPDATE: The American Library Association conference in Philadelphia
• White type on a black background

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the joys and challenges of cartooning, the impact of wealth on creativity, and the importance of connecting with one's audience. They explore what they would do if they won the Powerball, emphasizing the value of investing in others and creating opportunities for future cartoonists. The conversation also explores the balance between art and commerce, the role of stress in creativity, and the importance of community support in the comic industry.

Takeaways

• The dream of a flexible schedule is a common aspiration for cartoonists.
• Winning the Powerball would not change the core of who they are as creators.
• Investing in others can create significant opportunities for struggling artists.
• A billion dollars can be used to create programs for future cartoonists.
• Wealth can impact creativity, but it can also lead to a loss of touch with humanity.
• Maintaining a connection with the audience is crucial for creators.
• Stress can sharpen creativity and drive success in the comic industry.
• The use of text in comics should be carefully considered for readability.
• Community support is invaluable for cartoonists and creators.
• Ownership of one's work is essential in the comic industry.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

The episode is sponsored by Dreamhost —the first step in owning and controlling your own work! Today, a listener asks how he can develop an art style as quickly as possible! Your Humble Hosts have some very bad news for him. Next, a cartoonist asks whether it's a good idea to start a second social-media account to share personal views.

Today's Show

• I need an art style — quick!
• Susan MacTaggart's Personal Affirmations
• Sponsor: Dreamhost.com/comiclab
• A second social-media account for posting personal views

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett delve into the challenges of learning to draw and developing an art style. Later, the conversation turns to the impact of social media on personal branding and mental health.

Takeaways

• Creating an art style takes time and dedication.
• There are no shortcuts to developing artistic skills.
• Social media can complicate personal branding.
• Engagement with the community is more impactful than online noise.
• It's essential to consider the purpose of sharing opinions online.
• Taking social media off your phone can improve productivity.
• Personal accounts can still affect professional branding.
• Every day is a blank canvas for creativity.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

How do you stop polishing and start publishing? Our strategies for overcoming perfectionism! Also — Dave has a little good news about the tariffs on imported books.

Today's Show

• Dave Kellett at San Diego Comic-Con: Booth 1228
• How to conquer perfectionism
• How to introduce a new dialogue font into your comic
• UPDATE: Tariffs on imported books
• Susan MacTaggart
• Decreasing image size without losing quality.

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett share humorous anecdotes about Father's Day mishaps, discuss the importance of deadlines in combating perfectionism, and provide insights on changing fonts in comics. They also touch on the impact of ego on creativity, share updates on Comic-Con, and delve into the intricacies of file preparation for digital comics. The episode features a guest appearance by Susan McTaggart, who offers personal affirmations, and concludes with a discussion on Patreon strategies and the challenges of maintaining subscriber support.

Takeaways

• Brad shares a humorous story about his disastrous Father's Day.
• The importance of deadlines in overcoming perfectionism is emphasized.
• Perfectionism can be defeated by focusing on the next project.
• Respecting past work is crucial for growth as an artist.
• Ego can hinder creativity and progress in comics.
• Changing fonts in comics requires careful consideration and communication with readers.
• Import taxes on books can be manageable if planned for.
• Susan McTaggart provides uplifting affirmations for listeners.
• Patreon strategies should focus on providing value to subscribers.
• File preparation for digital comics is essential for quality presentation.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

The episode is sponsored by Dreamhost —the first step in owning and controlling your own work! Are you a shameless self-promoter? Brad thinks a little bit of shame might be a good thing. Also — how do you find good comics?

Today's Show

• Whose house are you in?
• Susan MacTaggart's personal affirmation
• Dreamhost.com/comiclab
• Oval vs rounded corber word balloons
• Finding good comics.

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the nuances of self-promotion in the comic industry, using a humorous anecdote about a drop of water to illustrate how small events can have significant impacts on our mindset. They discuss the importance of understanding the context of promotion, emphasizing the idea of 'whose house are you in' to navigate social media and community interactions effectively. The conversation highlights the balance between promoting one's work and being a supportive community member, advocating for kindness and generosity as key strategies for building relationships and gaining visibility in the comic world.

Next, they discuss the importance of word balloons, lettering techniques, and the challenges of discovering new webcomics. They explore the nuances of choosing the right shape for word balloons, the significance of readability in comics, and share personal strategies for finding new comics to read. The conversation also touches on the role of tastemakers in the comic community and the importance of supporting fellow creators through platforms like Kickstarter.

Takeaways

• A single drop of water can change your perspective.
• Understanding the context of promotion is crucial.
• It's important to know whose house you are in when promoting.
• Self-promotion should be done in a way that respects the community.
• Being kind and helpful can lead to better engagement.
• Not every post needs to be promotional; value can be given freely.
• Building relationships is more effective than aggressive self-promotion.
• Generosity in sharing others' work can enhance your own visibility.
• Reading the room is important, but knowing the room is even more so.
• Success often requires starting, even if you're not great at first.
• Word balloon shapes can significantly affect readability.
• Choosing the right word balloon is a blend of art and science.
• Lettering is crucial for maintaining the flow of a comic.
• Consistency in negative space around text enhances clarity.
• Discovering new webcomics can be challenging but rewarding.
• Tastemakers play a vital role in comic discovery.
• Supporting creators through platforms like Kickstarter is beneficial.
• Personal preferences influence the choice of word balloon shapes.
• Readability is essential for engaging the reader.
• Comic creation involves multiple stages of design and thought.

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

What do you do when someone you looked up to turns out to be a jerk? Also, over a hundred years of comics history reveal a great deal about the importance of artists understanding business.

Today's show

• I Met My Hero, and They're a Zero
• Susan MacTaggart's Personal Affirmation
• What 100 Years of Comics History Tells 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-tier rewards.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

While Dave was at Alaska Comics Camp, he had the opportunity to talk with Ryan North Gillian Goerz!

Ryan North is the creator and author of Dinosaur Comics, and has written for the comic series of Adventure Time and Marvel Comics' The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Fantastic Four. His works have won multiple Eisner Awards and Harvey Awards and made New York Times Bestseller lists.

Gillian Goerz (pronounced like “Jillian Gertz”) works in illustration, graphic recording, cartooning, writing and brush lettering. Her middle grade graphic novel Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer spent 7 weeks on the Canadian Best Seller list, received stars from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly and was warmly reviewed by the New York Times Review of Books. Her follow-up book Shirley & Jamila’s Big Fall (Dial, 2021) won the Doug Wright Award for excellence in children's 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. Plus $2-tier rewards.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

While at Alaska Comic Camp, Dave Kellett had the opportunity to speak with cartoonist Lucy Knisley, a critically acclaimed and award-winning comic creator. She specializes in personal, confessional graphic novels and travelogues.

LUCY'S BOOKS

Lucy has published more than a dozen books, with several fantastic publishers. These have included: Simon & Schuster, First Second Books, Fantagraphics, Chronicle, Random House Graphics, Knopf and Rocky Pond. She has also contributed to many collections and anthologies at various publishers and made work for many periodicals and publications. Here are a few...

• Ride Beside Me
• Woa: A Housecat's Story of Despair
• French Milk
• Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
• Stepping Stones
• Apple Crush
• Sugar Shack, the third in the Peapod Farm series, comes out August 2025!

You can reach out to Lucy via her Patreon page

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.

If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.