Comic Lab

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.

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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.

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.

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 [email protected]

$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.

Making friends in the comics community can be... complicated. After all, we're kind of an introverted bunch. When it comes to social interaction, Brad and Dave have made all the mistakes, so you don't have to! They'll talk about trying too hard, encountering hostility, and trying to fit into a community that's just not right for you. Speaking of realizing a community isn't a good fit, Dave just found out he was kicked off Amazon. And that's perfectly OK with him.

Today's Show

UPDATE: Dave has been kicked off Amazon!

UPDATE: Our listeners recommend eBay for international shipping

Making friends with other cartoonists

What can a full-time self-published comic artist expect to earn?

Summary

In this engaging episode, cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the complexities of social interactions within the creative community, the challenges of online publishing, and the evolving role of AI in content moderation. They share personal stories, practical advice, and insights on navigating friendships, social media, and the digital landscape as artists and creators. They share personal stories, industry insights, and humorous banter that will inspire and inform creators at all levels.

Key Topics

Social interactions among artists and creators

Challenges of online publishing and content moderation

Strategies for building and maintaining friendships in creative communities The financial realities of full-time cartooning

The importance of evolving creatively and professionally

Understanding the influence of zeitgeist on comic success

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.

What’s the difference between a concept and a conceit — and why does confusing the two quietly sabotage so many comics?

In this episode, Brad and Dave break down one of the most important (and misunderstood) distinctions in storytelling. A concept is the engine that drives your story forward. A conceit is a clever wrapper that might look great… but doesn’t go anywhere.

If you’ve ever launched a comic that felt strong at first but ran out of momentum, this conversation will hit home.

We talk about:

Why constraints actually fuel creativity

How to test whether your idea has real staying power

The danger of building a comic around a gimmick

And how to strengthen your story before you spend months drawing it

Today's show:

A comic without recurring characters

UPDATE: ComicLab accent challenge

UPDATE: Amazon Advantage

UPDATE: DoubleDogBook.com

How to do a sarcastic word balloon

Takeaways

Character design plays a crucial role in storytelling.

Comics can thrive without a central protagonist.

Idea-driven comics have historical precedence.

Naming a comic can be a challenging but essential task.

Feedback is vital in the creative process.

Constraints can enhance creativity and focus.

Monosyllabic titles are often more memorable.

A good title can significantly impact a comic's success.

The creative journey involves trial and error. Sharing ideas at smaller levels can reveal what resonates.

Avoiding sunk cost fallacy is crucial in decision-making.

Amazon Advantage can lead to unexpected losses.

Understanding the costs of shipping is essential for profitability.

Sarcasm in comics requires careful visual and textual cues.

Bold lettering can enhance the impact of sarcasm.

Walt Kelly's techniques in lettering were innovative but sometimes excessive.

Comic creators should consider the visual presentation of dialogue.

A well-crafted word balloon can convey emotion effectively.

The legacy of past cartoonists informs current practices.

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.