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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: co... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes453Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Comic Lab

Latest Episodes

Cartoonist Fran Sundblad, creator of Tiff & Eve, joins Brad for a wide-ranging conversation about creating character-driven comics, finding an audience on Reddit, and learning when not to chase the algorithm.

Fran traces Tiff & Eve from its beginnin... more

Although we typically focus on the bright side of being independent cartoonists, a listener asks us to address the downside of webcomics. We'll talk about time management, burnout, financial insecurity, and reader interactions. Then we realize that a... more

YouTube

Patreon backers have access to an exclusive ComicLab Churn Rate spreadsheet — it does the math for you!

Is your Patreon actually growing—or are new members disguising a retention problem? Brad walks Dave through the process of calculating churn rate... more

YouTube

What belongs at the beginning of your book? Brad and Dave discuss whether an anti-AI statement offers creators any meaningful protection, break down the information that belongs on a copyright page, and explore the many ways cartoonists can approach ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Reginald Wigglesby
Comics historian, mock interview guest
Wigglesby Archives (fictional in bit)
Episode: Reclaiming Our Power
Dylan Meconis
Renowned cartoonist and author of Queen of the Sea
Episode: Special Guest Dylan Meconis — How to Color Comics with Physical Media
Cathy Guisewite
Famous cartoonist and creator of the comic 'Cathy'
Episode: Special Guest Cathy Guisewite
Chuck Dillon
Philadelphia-born cartoonist and illustrator best known for his work with Highlights for Children and children's book illustrations.
Episode: Special Guest Chuck Dillon
Barbara Brandon Croft
First black female syndicated cartoonist known for 'Where I'm Coming From.'
Episode: Dave and Brad review the NCS Conference and Reuben Awards in Boston
Rick Kirkman
Creator of 'Baby Blues.'
Episode: Dave and Brad review the NCS Conference and Reuben Awards in Boston
Reza Faresmand
Creator of the webcomic 'Poorly Drawn Lines.'
Episode: Dave and Brad review the NCS Conference and Reuben Awards in Boston
Cassidy Wasserman
Comic artist and creator of the graphic novel On Guard
Random House
Episode: ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society
Jason Chatfield
Freelance cartoonist and creator of works published in The New Yorker
Episode: ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society

Hosts

Brad Guigar
Host of the show; co-creator of Evil Inc; author of The Webcomics Handbook; editor at Webcomics.com.
Dave Kellett
Co-host; cartoonist known for Drive and Sheldon; co-director of Stripped.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 749 ratings
  • So Joy-Filled

    I’ve been listening to the guys for several years, now, and they are a continuing delight. I am an Indie science fiction novelist with a background in art and teaching, so I have played in their ocean, but not in their comics cove. All the same, I’m pleasantly surprised by how many nuggets of professional advice I’ve gained (among the laughter). I’m also now a dedicated follower of “Drive,” Sheldon,” and “Evil, Inc.” Fun stuff! Thanks guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skiffymom
    United Statesa year ago
  • Inclusive Comics Uncles

    While Dad and Brave might be middle aged, they deliver their helpful comics industry experience in an inclusive manner. I’ve been binging old episodes for the last month as a comfort show. The two hosts’ camaraderie is engaging and delightful and my art has improved from their advice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    birdbohannon
    United Statesa year ago
  • Long time fan

    I love Brad and Dave, I’ve been listening to them ever since the days of Webcomics Weekly, so they’ve been a pillar of podcast excellence for many, many years. I always learn something from each episode…about art, writing, business, life, family…

    All that being said, I have to be honest…the ongoing Susan MacTaggart bit is getting a little long in the tooth. It was better when it spontaneous or when it just happened organically once in a while.

    No matter what, I’ll be a listener until you guys ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Dan_G
    United Statesa year ago
  • Always a delight

    Always a delight, always informative, always keeps the creativity flowing. Thanks gentlemen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mr Will Henry
    United Statesa year ago
  • Entertaining and informative!

    Brad and Dave know what they’re talking about and are great at presenting all sorts of comic-related advice. They’re a fun listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JustJoeKingJr
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- Fans appreciate in-depth discussions on monetization, publishing, and audience engagement.
- Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry, humor, and practical tips for comics growth.
- Many mention the show as a long-running, essential resource for cartoonists and creators.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

First Pages First
Q: Should you put an AI-use statement on the copyright page, or is it redundant?
They suggest it may be largely performative and redundant, since the main copyright notice already restricts copying, and the legal landscape around AI is unsettled and not conclusively resolved yet.
Special Guest Dylan Meconis
Q: What is Dylan's take on fan translations?
Fan translations are usually an act of love, and with careful controls (hosting on your own site, using beta readers) they can widen reach while preserving quality and rights.
Is the comic strip dead?
Q: What tips do you have for keeping panels and page styles uniform across a long-running project?
Brad and Dave offer a four-part approach: pencil and ink cohesively in one go, write down and track materials used, create a practical template for tools and guidelines, and build a story Bible to maintain character and world consistency, while recognizing that templates and bibles evolve and may be abandoned later but the practice helps early on.
Writing Funny Words Funnily
Q: What is your process for writing funny dialogue and ensuring it lands?
Brad and I walk through a multi-pass method: outline exposition, read aloud to catch natural speech, trim fluff by about 30%, replace long words with shorter, punchier ones, and tailor word balloons for flow and punchline emphasis, then let it sit overnight and revisit during layout.
Reclaiming Our Power
Q: Assuming time and other projects were not a concern, what novels would you like to adapt into comics?
Brad and Dave discuss adapting The Lord of the Rings in a semi-comedic graphic novel form and acknowledge the challenge of adapting others' work, preferring to create original stories inspired by core elements of popular myths, while emphasizing personal creative control and avoiding IP legal entanglements.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Comic Lab

What is Comic Lab about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends practical, business-minded guidance for comic creators with candid, long-form conversations about craft, distribution, and audience engagement. Topics span monetization strategies (Patreon, crowdfunding, and product diversification), publishing realities (syndication, web-first approaches, and book marketing), and process tips (layout, color, lettering, and pacing) delivered with humor and camaraderie. Guests and recurring bits—often educators or industry veterans—add historical context and paid-admission expertise to the dialogue, making it valuable for both emerging and established creators who want actionable advice and a sense of community.

A standout trait is the strong emphasis on creator independence and direct read... more

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How many subscribers and views does Comic Lab have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Comic Lab?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Comic Lab:

1. 3 Point Perspective: The Illustration Podcast
2. Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast
3. Making Comics
4. No Such Thing As A Fish
5. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law

How many episodes of Comic Lab are there?

Comic Lab launched 9 years ago and published 453 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Comic Lab from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Comic Lab. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Comic Lab?

Recent guests on Comic Lab include:

1. Dr. Reginald Wigglesby
2. Dylan Meconis
3. Cathy Guisewite
4. Chuck Dillon
5. Barbara Brandon Croft
6. Rick Kirkman
7. Reza Faresmand
8. Cassidy Wasserman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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