Comic Lab

Kickstarter delivers on Discovery in a big way. So would it be wise to use it to replace our failing social media platforms?

ON TODAY'S SHOW

• Using Kickstarter as social media?
• UPDATE: NCS Reuben Awards 2024
• UPDATE: Dave has "Still Got it!"
• Posting a parody on Webtoon to gain notoriety

NOTE: The Kickstarter campaign for Brad's new Evil Inc book is in full swing!

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.

One of our most often-requested topics is "How do I start a webcomic?" We're going to give you some step-by-step instructions — updated for the new year! Plus... we always stress the importance of doing a good comic. That begs another question: "How do I know if my comic is good?"

ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...

• How to start a webcomic in 2024
• "How do I know if my comic is good?"
• UPDATE: Kindle Direct Publishing

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.

Today's show is sponsored by Wacom! Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett are talkin' comics. The guys talk about how their drawing styles evolved, and then detail what a typical day in their studios looks like. Next, they talk about strategies for deconstructing a comic in order to learn from it. After that, a question-asker asks if there are times the guys wish they could go back in time to fix things in their comics. Finally, it may seem that promoting a short-form, humor-based comic strip is comparatively easy, but how does one promote a continuous-narrative comic?

BUT FIRST — When Dave pitches an idea to Brad, he can immediately tell Brad hates it.

Show Notes

• Constantly improving your drawing style
• Dave and Brad recall why they moved to a Wacom tablet
• What does a typical day at the studio look like?
• How do you deconstruct a comic to learn from it?
• Do you ever wish you could go back in time and fix certain things about your comic?
• What's the best way to promote a continuous, narrative comic like Dave Kellett's Drive?

Great rewards when you support ComicLab

$2 — support the show

$5 — submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast

$10 — record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast

$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcast

Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the editor of Webcomics.com

Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

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.

Today's show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the incredible Wacom One! This week, Dave and Brad talk about the best Content Management System (CMS) for publishing webcomics. Toocheke is brand new, and Brad's a big fan.

Questions asked and topics covered...

• Toocheke is a new CMS Brad endorses for publishing webcomics
• How to deal with an e-mail barnacle
• Doing business under a pen name
• What are the best tools for a beginner?

Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!

You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon

• $2 — Early access to episodes
• $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast
• $10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast
• $50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcast

Brad 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 Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify
• Pandora
• Stitcher

ComicLab 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.

Show note: After we recorded this show, Emerald City Comicon announced they are cancelling the show originally scheduled to run March 12-15, 2020. Scroll down for more information.

Todays show is brought to you by Wacom — makers of the versatile Wacom One! With fears of a coronavirus outbreak in Seattle causing scores of cancellations at this week's Emerald City Comicon, Dave Kellett reaches for his master's thesis on cartooning during WWII to discuss the role of comics in times of crisis.

Questions asked and topics covered...

• What role do cartoonists play in times of crisis?
• Dave Kellett explains his decision to cancel his appearance at ECCC
• "Sunk cost" bias
• How important is a short story, if all you wanna do is write long?

Limited-edition ComicLab enamel pins are now available at newevilbook.com and sheldonstore.com!

You get great rewards when you support ComicLab on Patreon

$2 — Early access to episodes

$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast

$10 — Record an audio question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast

$50 — Sponsor the show! We’ll read a brief promo for your comic/product and read it twice during the show AND you get the exclusive ProTips podcast

Brad 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 Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Spotify

Pandora

Stitcher

ComicLab is hosted on Simplecast, helping podcasters since 2013. with industry-leading publishing, distribution, and sharing tools.

Emerald City Comicon

ECCC has announced it's cancelling their show and rescheduling it for the summer. From their press release:

We're writing today with some updated information on Emerald City Comic Con. After additional internal and external consultation, and based on recommendations from local public health officials, we have made the difficult decision to postpone next week's event. We recognize that this has been a frustrating and difficult time for all of our customers, but we feel that it is necessary to move the event. The situation is moving quickly and we are working with our partners to find solutions to logistical and operational issues that will arise. We are here to help but ask for your patience as we try to take care of all of you. With that in mind, please make sure to cancel hotels, flights and any other arrangements. All amounts paid for exhibit space or media to date for next week's ECCC will be credited and can be used as follows:

• Towards participation in ECCC 2020 this Summer;
• Towards participation in ECCC 2021 (March 4 - 7, 2021)
• Towards participation in any other Reedpop event on or before April 1, 2021, subject t...