Bonjoro, narrative clarity and the quest for an original idea

Resolutions for 2018: Welcome to ComicLab: The podcast about making comics, and making a living from comics! If you loved Webcomics Weekly, you're gonna love this show: It's half shop-talk, half how-to, and half friendship. WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. To start the year off right, episode one focuses on Cartooning Resolutions for 2018! by Comic Lab

58 min listen

Cartooning advice for beginners, DRM-free PDF strategy, and storyline-driven comic strips: Great news! We have a DISCOUNT CODE for Bonjoro — exclusively for our $5+ Patreon backers! NEXT: Dave and Brad drill deep on the ubiquitous DRM-free PDF. We discuss what it is, why we use it, and how to best implement it. THEN: We grapple with one of the great mysteries of life — If we could time-travel back to talk to ourselves in our 20s, what advice would we give? FINALLY: If you're doing a comic strip that incorporates a storyline, you should be doing a longform comic instead. by Comic Lab

66 min listen

Best Cartooning Advice Ever: Dave makes a rather emotional decision — to pulp most of the unsold copies of one of his titles. Then, they each share the best cartooning advice they ever got. Interestingly enough, Brad's came from syndicated political cartoonist Bill Day and Dave received his from syndicated cartoonist Wiley Miller. And finally, a question from the Discord server — how do you share your comics on social media AND offer exclusive comics on Patreon at the same time? by Comic Lab

57 min listen

Why Comics?: Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talk about what brought them to cartooning — and more importantly, why have they stuck with it for 20 years. It's a deceptively important question to ask yourself as a creator. And Dave and Brad dig deep into the reasons they do comics as opposed to another creative pursuit. by Comic Lab

56 min listen

Listener Questions — I can't finish a comic once it's started!: Brad and Dave tackle listener questions! First, a high-school art teacher asks why they can't seem to finish a project once it's started. And then, the guys list some Dos and Don'ts for people who are planning to launch their first Patreon campaign. BUT FIRST... When Brad makes a post on Facebook, and the responses drive him up the wall, Dave realizes that he's dealing with a split personality. by Comic Lab

55 min listen

Ryan North talks about writing, ideas, creativity, and zinc by Comic Lab

51 min listen

How to Handle Patreon-Exclusive Content: Today on ComicLab, we're taking questions from our Patreon backers: What do you do when you're more invested than your collaborator? When starting a new comic online, is it even worth it to start a website anymore — or should everything just be posted to Patreon? Can you Kickstart a book containing content that was originally Patreon-exclusive? BUT FIRST... Dave grapples with his impending old-man-hood when a barber offers to shave his earlobe hair. by Comic Lab

59 min listen

Darkest Career Fears (feat. Jake parker): ComicLab co-hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar welcome special guest Jake Parker — creator of Inktober and stand-out cartoonist/children's book illustrator — to talk shop. They discuss their deepest, darkest fears for their careers. And then they tackle how to recover from the completion of a monumental project. by Comic Lab

69 min listen

Hashing out hashtags, online gag comics and update schedules: Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar answer a wide variety of questions submitted by Patreon backers, such as: Are gag comics sustainable on the Web? We'll ask Dave, who has been doing a gag comic for 20 years. Also... How can I use hashtags more effectively? How many updates do I need to build a readership? How can I keep up my energy at conventions? by Comic Lab

59 min listen

Kickstarter advice that really worked! Plus Backerkit, social media repetitiveness and more: One of our backers sent in a question about longform comics and the continuous scroll presentation on the Web. Is it better than conventional previous-next navigation-button presentation? And that touches off a whirlwind of topics, including Dave's Kickstarter tips — which work REALLY WELL! Brad tries to get Dave to try Backerkit, but he's not having it Followers have to hear a call to action an average of seven times before they act, therefore... social-media repetitiveness isn't as bad as you think it i by Comic Lab

58 min listen

Patreon rewards that work, writer's block and comics awards: Brad Guigar went to Patreon On Tour / NYC conference, and he brought back tons of useful advice from the crowdfunding giant. Learn how to get more backers and make more money. Then, he and co-host Dave Kellett move on to tackle writer's block! What can you do to kickstart creativity? They share some useable strategies that apply to several situations. Finally — which awards are most valuable for the average webcartoonist? Is it the Eisners? The Harveys? The NCS Division Awards? The Ignatz? by Comic Lab

59 min listen

Better Writing Through Editing, and Collaborator Contracts: Today on ComicLab, we're going deep on one of the most important (and least-talked-about) aspects of cartooning — Editing! We also take our first patron-submitted question, and it's all about contracts between collaborators. BUT FIRST... When Dave eats McDonald's and subsequently questions his life choices, it's Brad to the rescue with the healing humor of some carefully-executed impressions. by Comic Lab

64 min listen

Rethinking longform comics: This week, as Dave Kellett preps for this weekend's Emerald City Comic Con, he asks co-host Brad Guigar if this should be the last time he exhibits at the show. Then, Dave and Brad discuss some new approaches to webcomic site design — particularly in regards to longform comics. BUT FIRST... What is "Drunk ComicLab" and how can you make it happen? If we get 100 ratings on iTunes, Dave and I will be cracking open bottles of Pino Noir and Laphroiag (respectively) and recording a special bonus show. by Comic Lab

64 min listen

Why Transparency Matters (feat. Lucy Bellwood): This week, Brad and Dave welcome professional adventure cartoonist Lucy Bellwood. Lucy delivered a jaw-droppingly honest look at the life of a professional freelancer at the XOXO Festival last year, and it seemed only natural to discuss the importance of transparency in a professional so driven by social media. But first, Brad asks if they've ever performed a snow-day ritual. Lucy's official site is https://lucybellwood.com/ by Comic Lab

64 min listen

How to get more Patreon pledges: Webcomic veterans Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar tackle another collection of questions about the care and feeding of cartoonists. FIRST, Danielle Corsetto's GWS collection leads to a discussion of hardcover books. NEXT, Creation vs Learning — which is more important? THEN, it's the perennial question – How do I get more Patreon backers? FOURTH, should experienced creators be more open to offering critiques when asked? And FINALLY, Dave challenges Brad to write a 10-year plan! by Comic Lab

61 min listen

NSFW comics... any regrets?: When a listener asks how to recover after a failed con, Brad launches into a discussion of the gambler’s mentality of comic conventions. THEN, if a key to success is making good comics, what should you be focused on learning and doing to make that happen? NEXT, looking back over his decision to launch a NSFW comic series, is there anything that Brad would have done differently? FINALLY, what size should your original art be — and why? by Comic Lab

69 min listen

Starting comics later in life: Webcomic veterans Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar tackle another bushel of questions from creative professionals! FIRST, they share advice for people who are starting their first steps into cartooning later in life. NEXT, what’s the best way to support a comics creator? THEN, How can you hope to build community these days? PLUS, the prevailing advice is to find your niche and stay there. So… should you? FINALLY, Are you undervaluing your Patreon pledge tiers? And, if so, what should you do? by Comic Lab

66 min listen

Growing your Readership (feat. Dylan Meconis): The wonderful Dylan Meconis joins Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett to take a question from a Patreon backer who wants advice on growing their readership. Another backer asks about finding balance between comics and "real life." by Comic Lab

73 min listen

Comic Con Strategy: Commissions, Merchandise, and Publishing: Dave returns from Emerald City Comicon with stories from the show. Was the show a success? What did he learn from tabling with Jake Parker? What did Jake learn from him? Will Dave go next year? And how does Jake keep his hair so lustrous and full of body? Then, it's on to questions from our Patreon backers: BUT FIRST — What is "noodlin'" and why is Brad thinking about doing it in Alabama?! by Comic Lab

69 min listen

Handling negative comments and clingy fans: Dave and Brad field some tough questions about the best ways to handle negative comments and clingy fans. They also discuss using Instagram stories for comics promotion and strategies for writing longform comics by Comic Lab

80 min listen

Comics lettering — The invisible art: Webcomic veterans Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar talk about the contentious controversies caused in creating comics! For example, a discussion about using an exclamation point in a sound effect leads to a deep dive into the psychology of lettering! THEN, Brad thinks we need to encourage more collaboration. And FINALLY, Dave asks how to overcome a writing challenge — when you know the overall story, but you just can't write the next step! by Comic Lab

67 min listen

Motivation, underperforming Patreon tiers, and trying something new: We recorded Drunk ComicLab Saturday, and boy are our livers tired. Brad and Dave talk about the fun they had recording this upcoming Patreon-exclusive show. Then a listener asks: "How to you stay motivated to comics year after year?" The guys go on to discuss the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, handling an underperforming Patreon tier, working on a new comic at the same time you're working on an existing one, and the mixed blessing that a cartoonist's flexible schedule can sometimes be. by Comic Lab

66 min listen

Danielle Corsetto talks about Patreon, quitting Facebook, and ending a comic: We're joined by webcomics OG Danielle Corsetto. She shares her unique perspective on Patreon, and she has some advice for last week's question about choosing the best comic convention — TCAF! Her strategy to implement Kickstarter in the process is one you'll want to hear. Plus, Dave Kellett asks if he should delete his Facebook account. And, finally both Danielle and Brad Guigar discuss ending a long-running webcomic. by Comic Lab

64 min listen

Unfulfilled goals (feat. Scott Kurtz): Dave and Brad are thrilled to welcome our longtime friend and Webcomics Weekly co-host Scott Kurtz to the show. Ten years after collaborating on the How To Make Webcomics book (along with Kris Straub), we sit down and open up about the greatest goals we've yet to accomplish. BUT FIRST... in true Webcomics Weekly fashion, we spend the first part of the show catching up for lost time. by Comic Lab

53 min listen

Should you reboot?: Webcomics wannabes Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar are talking shop! The guys discuss the monthly Patreon dip — what it means and why you shouldn't freak out. THEN Dave talks about why he lays out his longform sci-fi comic the way he does. NEXT, Brad argues that reboots are good — and sometimes necessary, and he and Dave examine the best ways to go about it. FINALLY, Dave shares some helpful guidance for anyone who wants to branch into enamel pins. by Comic Lab

71 min listen

Bonjoro, narrative clarity and the quest for an original idea: Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar take a full one-eighty on Bonjoro. After trashing it last episode, they're ready to sing its praises as a game-changer in crowdfunding and web publishing. Find out what caused this massive reconsideration. THEN the guys take an audio question from a Patreon backer who wants to know how to address concerns from readers who find a story hard to follow. And FINALLY, another backer asks how much effort should be put into making sure your idea hasn't been done before. by Comic Lab

78 min listen

Special guest Zach Weinersmith: Webcomic veterans Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar welcome webcomics star Zach Weinersmith of SMBC, cerator of BAHfest, and author of several books including Soonish. BUT FIRST: Dave puzzles over the inherent bizarreness of the Smurfs. by Comic Lab

69 min listen

Comics awards, pen names and warm-up sketches: The Eisner Award nominations were announced, and there's a lot to talk about! Then it's on to questions from out Patreon backers. In a social-media landscape that favors branding the creators themselves over their creations, it it OK to have a pen name? And what's the best approach to warm-up sketches? by Comic Lab

55 min listen

Special guest Erika Moen talks about photo reference, character design, diversity and inclusion: Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar welcome Erika Moen, creator of OhJoySexToy. They talk about her currently running Kickstarter to launch a collection of sex-education cartoons. Then, the gang tackles some great topics like the uncomfortable relationship we artists have with photo reference. Next: Erika's participation in Helioscope studios. Finally, they grapple with the complexities of character design, and discuss the importance of diversity and inclusiveness. BUT FIRST... Is Bonjoro worth $25 a month? by Comic Lab

76 min listen

Drilling deep on Patreon — and more: Still reeling from an action-packed weekend at PatreCon, the guys are talking Patreon! For example — should you hide your Patreon numbers or display proudly how much you're earning? And what do you do when a backer expects more than you're offering? And how soon is too soon to launch your Patreon? Also — can a story-driven comic strip like "Bloom County" survive on the Web today? And the guys discuss which of their many projects have brought them the most joy. by Comic Lab

66 min listen

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Bonjoro, narrative clarity and the quest for an original idea

Bonjoro, narrative clarity and the quest for an original idea

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