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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes444Founded8 years ago
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Artwork for Comic Lab

Latest Episodes

What seems like a simple question about exclamation points opens up a much bigger discussion about the power of comics lettering. Brad and Dave talk about punctuation, word balloons, font choices, and the unique grammar of comics — and why cartoonist... more

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

Should cartoonists hire a social-media manager? Brad and Dave discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing social media and ultimately argue that most creators should handle it themselves. They explain why social media is an extension of a creator's voic... more

YouTube

With both Brad and Dave nominated for awards this year, the guys spiral into a surprisingly deep conversation about awards, marketing, ego, and whether creators should plaster “award nominee” stickers all over their books.

Later, they tackle a liste... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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 744 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 States10 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 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.

Apple Podcasts
#91
United States/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#122
Canada/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#244
United Kingdom/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#190
Italy/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#228
Germany/Arts/Visual Arts
Apple Podcasts
#28
Saudi Arabia/Arts/Visual Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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

Where can I find podcast stats for Comic Lab?

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How many listeners does Comic Lab get?

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How many subscribers and views does Comic Lab have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Comic Lab has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Comic Lab?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Comic Lab:

1. Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast
2. 3 Point Perspective: The Illustration Podcast
3. Making Comics
4. Imaginary Worlds
5. How Did This Get Made?

How many episodes of Comic Lab are there?

Comic Lab launched 8 years ago and published 444 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Comic Lab?

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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