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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

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Artwork for Comic Lab

Latest Episodes

A listener asks whether some words are inherently funnier than others—and it opens the door to a deep dive on word choice, dialogue, and how to make jokes land harder.

Brad and Dave break down why shorter, punchier words tend to win, how sound and r... more

This episode examines a Bluesky thread where cartoonists self-reported their financial realities. While the original question was thoughtful — seeking insight into full-time and part-time comic careers — the resulting discussion revealed a common pro... more

YouTube

Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price.

*Check it out her... more

YouTube

Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — a 21.5" pen display with a gorgeous 2.5K screen and really smooth performance. Bottom line: it feels great to draw on — and it punches way above its price.

• Check it out at... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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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
Sean Wang
Writer and artist of the sci-fi comic Runners
Episode: ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society

Hosts

Brad Guigar
Co-host of Comic Lab; author of The Webcomics Handbook; creator of Evil Inc; editor of webcomics.com.
Dave Kellett
Co-host of Comic Lab; cartoonist of Sheldon and Drive; co-director of Stripped; with extensive experience in self-publishing and film/arts projects.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 741 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 States8 months 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 States10 months 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.

Overall positive sentiment about expertise and chemistry between hosts, with listeners praising actionable insights and humor.
Fans value the practical guidance on monetization, publishing, and audience-building for comics and online ventures.
Loyal listeners appreciate long-running consistency, guest stories, and the hosts' candid discussion of industry challenges.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
I've got an audience... now what do I DO with them??
Q: Dear Brad and Dave, how do you respond to questions about backstory when you want the audience to experience the story on its own terms?
Turn those questions into marketing by hinting that the answers will be revealed later, keep the energy high, and use the questions to keep readers engaged without giving away essential plot points too early.
Making a Splash (Page) in Comics
Q: What are the pros and cons of two-page splash spreads for web vs print?
Splash spreads look impressive in print, but online they can be unwieldy; they should be used sparingly and with a strong entry point and clear web-friendly update structure to maintain reader retention.
How to Start a Webring
Q: So, how do I start a web ring?
The hosts explain that you need a clear focus, a simple code snippet to embed, and a central hub that rotates member ads weekly; they also discuss whether to host the system yourself or have someone like Matt install and host it for a fee, with emphasis on keeping the group cohesive and the rotation fair.
How to Make Friends and Influence People. And Cartoonists.
Q: I've been finding it quite challenging to navigate making comic artist friends and fitting in with large groups of artists. What advice do you have?
Three possibilities explain the situation: you may be trying too hard, you may simply be in the wrong room with the wrong people, or the dynamics are such that the group won't vibe with you. The recommended approach is to slow down, find one or two anchors in the room, be kind and give more than you take, and gradually expand your network while staying true to who you are.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Comic Lab

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

A show by two veteran cartoonists that blends practical business know-how with creative craft, delivering actionable advice on publishing, audience building, merch, and self-publishing. Listeners repeatedly cite camaraderie, long-running experience, and candid discussions about real-world challenges—from distribution to Kickstarter and social media strategies—delivering both humor and takeaways for anyone pursuing a career in comics or related online businesses. A standout aspect is the duo's ability to translate years of industry lessons into transferable tips for creators at various levels, often backed by guest anecdotes and broad industry context. The format balances technical guidance with personal storytelling, making it useful for as... more

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How many listeners does Comic Lab get?

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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. Making Comics
3. 99% Invisible
4. Radiolab
5. Imaginary Worlds

How many episodes of Comic Lab are there?

Comic Lab launched 8 years ago and published 438 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Comic Lab?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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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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