Comic Lab

Is the comic strip dead?

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The newspaper comic strip didn't go extinct — it evolved. But if your work doesn't keep up, your career may be fossilized! From Reddit-ready square comics to vertical-scroll storytelling, they explore how creators are adapting to phones, social media, and changing reading habits while keeping the heart of the comic strip alive.

Topics covered
  • The evolution of newspaper comic strips
  • Why horizontal strips existed in the first place
  • How phones changed comics formatting
  • Square-format comics on Reddit and social media
  • Vertical-scroll storytelling
  • Why readers won’t rotate their phones
  • Charles Schulz and the flexible-format origins of Peanuts
  • Newspaper syndication vs. modern web distribution
  • YA graphic novels as the next evolution for newspaper strips
  • Lincoln Peirce and the success of Big Nate books
  • Why comic strips are still thriving online
  • Modular comic formatting for webcomics
  • The launch of The Comic Scout 
  • Dave Kellett's Hugo Award nomination anticipation
  • Tips for maintaining visual consistency in comics
  • Workflow advice for newer cartoonists

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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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    Comic LabBy Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett
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