Comic Lab Podcast By Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett cover art

Comic Lab

Comic Lab

By: Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett
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The podcast about making comics — and making a living from comics! It's half shop talk, half how-to, and half friendship. WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It's tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro. So pull up your drawing chair, put on some headphones, and join us while you draw! And if you like what you hear, join our community at patreon.com/comiclab (For sponsorship inquiries: comiclabpodcast@gmail.com)© 2018-2026 Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett Art Science Fiction
Episodes
  • I've been framed! (...in a gallery)

    I've been framed! (...in a gallery)
    Apr 2 2026
    In this episode, Brad and Dave tackle a question every cartoonist eventually asks: Where should I invest my time and energy? From gallery shows to professional organizations to keeping up with “the kids,” this conversation is packed with practical, experience-tested advice. But first things first! Here's Brad's 2021 blog post about the science behind why vampires don't cast a reflection in a mirror. Are Art Galleries Worth It? A listener asks whether exhibiting in a gallery helps grow a comics career. Key takeaways: • Gallery exposure rarely converts into comic readers • If it’s not clickable, it’s not effective promotion • Sales are often split (sometimes 50/50), cutting into profits • You can usually sell original art more effectively on your own platform • The biggest benefit? Personal satisfaction and a nice ego boost Should Beginners Join Professional Organizations? Brad and Dave revisit a classic question: Are groups like the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) worth it? • 10–15 years ago: Limited practical value• Today: Much more actionable, community-driven, and educational What You Actually Get • Real-world, practical learning (panels, talks, workshops) • Networking with professionals who actually understand comics • Access to events, meetups, and tabling opportunities • Career insight you won’t get from general audiences Pro tip: For younger creators, discounted memberships make this a much easier entry point. ComicLab at the Reubens Brad and Dave will be presenting at this year’s Reuben Awards Weekend, August 6-8 in Columbus, Ohio. Their session: “Actionable Advice in a Time of Change” • Practical, career-focused insights • Guest cartoonists joining a live panel format • A mix of strategy, storytelling, and real-world experience They’ll also be around all weekend — panels, conversations, and (possibly questionable) lunch recommendations. Get on the mailing list so you don't miss out! Call the ComicLab Talkback Line Got a question or something to share? 📞 609-379-3520 That's... 📞 609-DRY-ELB-0 Leave a message and you might hear it on a future episode! Final Thought Whether it’s galleries, organizations, or audience trends, the theme of this episode is simple: Focus on what actually moves your career forward — and don’t confuse visibility with value. Join our comics community 👉 patreon.com/comiclab 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. 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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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Work-Life Balance

    Work-Life Balance
    Mar 26 2026

    This week on ComicLab, veteran comic artists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett kick things off a discussion about something every cartoonist wrestles with: work-life balance. If you’re juggling a day job, relationships, and your creative ambitions, Brad and Dave break down practical strategies that actually work — including:

    • Why consistency beats intensity
    • How to build a repeatable creative schedule
    • The power of small, daily wins
    • And why your health and relationships are just as critical as your drawing skills

    They also tackle a big-picture career question: What happens when a long-running comic ends? Dave shares his thoughts on winding down Drive, how to retain an audience, and the challenge of transitioning into your next project without losing momentum.

    Plus:

    • Smart ways to monetize short comics
    • Why finished is better than perfect
    • And how thinking long-term can transform your creative output

    Whether you’re just starting your first comic or planning your next big move, this episode is packed with actionable advice — and a few chaotic detours along the way.

    Key takeaway: Three years are going to pass anyway… you might as well have a finished comic at the end of them.

    Today's Show

    • UPDATE: Enshittification of Bluesky begins
    • Work-Life balance
    • UPDATE: NCS Conference and Reuben Awards
    • Monetizing short comics
    • What will Dave do when Drive is over?

    For more information about joining the National Cartoonists Society, go to https://nationalcartoonists.com/how-to-join/
    • Get on the mailing list
    • More information on the 27 Club
    • 80th annual Reuben Awards and NCS Conference — August 6-8, 2026

    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. 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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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • How to Start a Webring

    How to Start a Webring
    Mar 19 2026

    In this episode of ComicLab, Brad and Dave tackle a surprisingly practical question: How do you start a web ring for comics creators? With social media platforms becoming less reliable for discovery, the classic web ring is making a comeback as a way for creators to promote each other directly.

    Along the way, the guys discuss audience targeting, technical setup, and why the success of a web ring depends more on community alignment than on code. Plus: tattoo debates, Tolkien romance arguments, and the eternal challenge of drawing the right amount of detail in your comics.

    Key topics

    • How to start a web ring
    • UPDATE: Dave should read Tolkein as a romance
    • How much detail should we include in our drawings?
    • Amazon plagiarism

    Paid setup

    Matt Sowers, who created the Hot Box web ring software can install and host the software for you. Contact him at hotbox@rcsipublishing.com

    $50 — install on your server

    $100 — hosted setup (includes one year hosting). After that, hosting is $75/year.

    $75/year — ongoing web hosting for your comic

    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. 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.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
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