Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the powerful, professional, portable Wacom One!  This week, we wonder whether getting an animated series on a streaming service is the new brass ring for cartoonists. Questions asked and topics covered...Is Netflix the goal?USPS... it's getting worseFacebook and InstagramSchulz Museum is NOV 2022, not this Nov 22ndFinding a romantic parternon-comics stuff that drives your passionFor more information about preparing your comic for an animated pitch, listen to ComicLab #132 Today is a great time to bump up your ComicLab membership to the $10 tier! Patreon backers at that level will get exclusive access to livestream recording sessions — as well as an archive of previous livestreams! 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 editor of Webcomics.com Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. Listen to ComicLab on...Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyPandoraStitcherComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.
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.

Is Netflix the goal?

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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 starting a Patreon too soon and making decisions based solely on trying to gain more backers. They emphasize the need to focus on the love of creating and the joy of storytelling rather than solely focusing on financial success. Overall, they encourage the listener to have patience and enjoy the journey of creating comics. Also, Brad and Dave explore the potential impact of AI on search engine optimization and the web ecosystem. Next, they discuss the importance of giving artists creative freedom when commissioning art.  The conversation touches on the challenges of communication between commissioners and artists, as well as the spectrum of visual thinking. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights, highlighting the need for clear communication and understanding between both parties involved in a commission. ON TODAY'S SHOWIt's Friday; am I famous yet?UPDATE: More Reuben picksUPDATE: Google’s new AI search is gonna kill a lotta websitesCommissioning original artTAKEAWAYSBuilding an audience and achieving financial success in comics takes time, often several years.Having realistic expectations and not solely focusing on financial goals is important.Enjoying the creative process and the love of storytelling is crucial for long-term success.Starting a Patreon too soon can lead to disappointment and creative compromises.Focus on improving your craft and building a small, dedicated audience before seeking financial support.Patience and perseverance are key in the journey of creating comics. When commissioning art, it's important to find a balance between providing enough detail and allowing the artist creative freedom.Clear communication is key in ensuring that both the commissioner and the artist are on the same page.Understanding the artist's style and approach is crucial when commissioning art.The impact of AI on search engine optimization and the web ecosystem is a topic of concern and uncertainty.The spectrum of visual thinking varies among individuals, and it's important to be aware of different perspectives and preferences. 
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.

It's Friday — am I famous yet?

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 on the ethical dilemma of selling redrawn original art and the importance of original art in the collector's market. ON TODAY'S SHOWHow much work is "top tier"?Posting panels vs pagesWho would Brad & Dave pick for the Reuben Award?Redrawing pages to sell as originals?TAKEAWAYSPickleball is a fun and inclusive game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.The ratio of top-tier work to average work varies for each cartoonist, but striving for improvement over time is important.Posting comics panel by panel is beneficial for mobile readers and helps capture new readers.The Reuben Award is a prestigious recognition in the cartooning industry. Nominations are based on the best work of the year.Sarah Anderson, the creator of Sarah's Scribbles, should be a strong contender for the Reuben Award due to her consistent and unique voice in the industry. The hosts discuss their top picks for cartoonists who should be considered for awardsThey mention Dana Simpson, Phoebe and Her Unicorn, Tauhid Bondia with Crabgrass, Asher Perlman, Darren Bell, Jonathan and Elizabeth from War & Peas, and several manga cartoonistsThey also touch on the ethical dilemma of selling redrawn original art and the importance of original art in the collector's marketCHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction and Pickleball 00:06:07 Striving for Improvement in Your Work 00:28:49 Nominations for the Rubin Award 00:32:38 Sarah Anderson: A Strong Contender for the Reuben Award 00:34:25 Top Picks for Cartoonists Who Should Be Considered for Awards 00:49:36 The Ethical Dilemma of Selling Redrawn Original Art    
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.

They can't all be winners

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 determinant of success. They emphasize the importance of hard work, honing skills, and making adjustments based on feedback. They also discuss external factors that can impact a creative career, such as personal circumstances and societal biases. The hosts share their own experiences and offer advice for aspiring creators. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the importance of perseverance and being consistent in order to achieve success in comics. Also, they also address the question of working below one's artistic skill level and offer advice on finding a style that balances speed and quality. The hosts then share their thoughts on the transition from traditional to digital art, including the benefits and drawbacks of each. Finally, they discuss the value of selling original art and the potential challenges of leaving a legacy through physical artwork. ON TODAY'S SHOWSurvival biasWorking below your artistic skill levelLeaving original art in favor of digitalCHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction: Dumpster Pools in Philadelphia 00:05:37 Chapter 1: Understanding Survivorship Bias 00:13:06 Chapter 2: The Importance of Hard Work and Skill Development 00:22:52 Chapter 4: Challenging Survivorship Bias and Acknowledging Others' Struggles 00:26:57 Chapter 5: Advice for Aspiring Creators: Listen, Learn, and Adapt 00:31:03 Perseverance and Consistency 00:34:31 Working Below Your Skill Level 00:46:24 Transition to Digital Art 00:48:08 Selling Original Art 00:56:29 Leaving a Legacy Through Artwork TAKEAWAYSSurvivorship bias exists in the creative community, but it is not the only factor that determines success.Hard work, honing skills, and making adjustments based on feedback are crucial for success.External factors, such as personal circumstances and societal biases, can impact a creative career.It is important to be aware of survivorship bias and not dismiss the challenges faced by others.Listening to advice from experienced creators and being open to course corrections can increase the chances of success. Perseverance and consistency are key to achieving success in comics.Finding a balance between speed and quality is important when working below your artistic skill level.Transitioning from traditional to digital art offers benefits in terms of control and quality.Selling original art can be a way to generate income and share your work with others.Leaving a legacy through physical artwork may not always be practical or desired by loved ones.
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.

Survivorship Bias

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 handle sensitive content on websites and social media platforms. They mention using content warnings, marking sensitive posts, and utilizing tools provided by social media platforms. They also talk about the importance of considering the audience's age range and the different standards and gradations of content in various mediums. In the second part of the conversation, they discuss the use of blogs on websites and how they have evolved over time. They mention the historical use of blogs for SEO purposes and the shift towards social media for quick and easy sharing. They suggest using blogs to share a variety of content, including transcripts of comics, reposts of social media content, and updates on Patreon or other platforms. They emphasize the importance of not overthinking blog content and using the four C's: content, commercial, curation, and kindness. ON TODAY'S SHOW:When did we know we had "made it"?Content warnings and age ratingsWP Shortcodes PluginUPDATE: Alaska Comics CampWhat should I do with my blog?Jack Conte's SXSW speechCHAPTERS 00:00:00 Introduction:  Brad's Heartwarming Story 00:07:29 The Definition of 'Making It' as a Cartoonist 00:11:13 Navigating Age Appropriateness and Content Warnings in Comics 00:44:30 The Evolution of Blogs 00:49:27 Using Blogs to Share Content TAKEAWAYSThe concept of 'making it' as a cartoonist is subjective and can vary from person to person.Financial stability is often key to feeling like you've 'made it' as a cartoonist.There is no universal standard for rating comics in terms of age appropriateness and content warnings.Considerations for rating your comic include societal norms, personal values, and the expectations of different platforms.Content warnings can be placed on the cover of your book, the top of your website, or your social media profile page. Consider using content warnings and marking sensitive social media posts to allow readers to view or avoid certain content.Take advantage of built-in tools on social media platforms to flag sensitive content and provide warnings.Be mindful of your audience's age range and consider the different standards and gradations of content in various mediums.Use blogs on websites to share a variety of content, including comic transcripts, reposts of social media content, and updates on Patreon or other platforms.Don't overthink blog content; use the four Cs: content, commercial, curation, and kindness.
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.

Are we 'there' yet?

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 SHOWHow much story to writeShould you be doing a zine?GuttersBordersDistribution
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.

Is Netflix the goal?

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