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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes463Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for Comic Lab

Latest Episodes

Two weeks ago, Dave felt he was doing the best work of his career. Now, he dislikes every idea and dreads sitting down to write. What changed — and how does he get moving again?

Brad and Dave have an honest conversation about creative slumps, confid... more

YouTube

What happens to your audience when the platform hosting your comic disappears? Brad and Dave discuss the news of Tapas shutting down and why owning your website, building a mailing list, and connecting readers through RSS remain essential tools for a... more

YouTube

A Hugo Award nomination brought cartoonist Dave Kellett new readers, book sales, and Patreon supporters. Five days behind a WorldCon booth brought something else entirely: A serious crisis of confidence.

This week, Dave shares his WorldCon experienc... more

YouTube

Should you launch a comic studio — or are you really talking about a comics collective, a shared workspace, or simply collaborating on a project? This week, Brad and Dave unpack what the word “studio” actually means and why adding another layer of br... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
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
Guest professor introducing historical/academic context
Oxford University
Episode: How to Launch a Comics Studio
Jamar Nicholas
Cartoonist, guest on ComicLab LIVE
Philly chapter affiliate
Episode: 80th Annual NCS Conference and Reuben Awards Review
Mort Gerberg
Legendary cartoonist discussed by Brad Guigar
Veteran cartoonist, mentored others
Episode: 80th Annual NCS Conference and Reuben Awards Review
Jim Davis
Creator of Garfield, featured speaker
Garfield creator
Episode: 80th Annual NCS Conference and Reuben Awards Review
Katie Cook
Cartoonist at table during awards
Professional cartoonist
Episode: 80th Annual NCS Conference and Reuben Awards Review
Terri Libenson
Cartoonist of The Pajama Diaries; author of graphic novels
Self-employed/Independent publishing
Episode: ComicLab LIVE! at the 80th annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards
Dee Fish
Self-published cartoonist; inker/guest artist on Dick Tracy and Jumble; Finding Dee creator
Self-publishing/Independent
Episode: ComicLab LIVE! at the 80th annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards
Fran Sundblad
Creator of Tiff & Eve Comics
Tiff & Eve Comics
Episode: Special Guest Fran Sundblad, creator of "Tiff & Eve"
Dylan Meconis
Author of Queen of the Sea and Prince of the City
Self-published/Traditional publishing in comics
Episode: Special Guest Dylan Meconis

Hosts

Brad Guigar
Host of the show; creator of Evil Inc; editor of webcomics.com; long-time comic creator.
Dave Kellett
Co-host of the show; cartoonist and filmmaker; hosts discussions on making comics and running a creator-owned business.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 757 ratings
  • Usually a good show and the episode with Dylan Meconis was great! Hopefully she'll be back!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    raf82
    3 months ago
  • 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the hosts' chemistry and humor, calling it entertaining and informative.
Fans highlight a supportive, mentorship-like vibe and steady production quality.
Many appreciate practical, transferable business tips for comics and online ventures.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to Beat Writer's Block
Q: When should readers jump in and defend a creator, and when should they stay out of it?
Dave prefers to speak for himself and says silence can keep an argument from escalating. Brad welcomes readers helping with minor nitpicks or keeping a community civil, but prefers that they disengage when criticism becomes heated.
How to Beat Writer's Block
Q: If you or a group of you are looking to self-publish comics, when and why should you become a small press?
Dave and Brad say small press has no legal definition today and is mainly a marketing label. Publishers can choose how they describe themselves based on how they want to present their work.
Tapas Is Shutting Down — Now What?
Q: Do you think it would be unwise for me to revise my work and then submit the later versions, when the earlier versions are already out there for the public to see?
Dave says paid submissions generally carry an expectation of new work and first-publication rights, so creators should avoid selling work already posted publicly. Both hosts recommend holding work back to let time assist editing, using lessons from older cartoons in new work, and not repeatedly revising the archives.
Tapas Is Shutting Down — Now What?
Q: If you have a digital product that was once a regular seller, but it has now stalled out, what do you do with it?
Brad suggests experimenting with repackaging, adding material or commentary, changing the format, bundling it, discounting it, using it as a membership gift, or trying another retail platform. Dave adds that limited-time sales can help test whether a lower price revives demand.
The Worst Thing About Webcomics
Q: How should someone approach stepping outside their comfort zone creatively?
They should start by willingness to try, accept they may not be immediately good, and then bring lessons back to their core work to grow as a creator.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Comic Lab

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

A long-running show about making comics and turning that craft into a sustainable business. Across episodes, the hosts share practical guidance on audience-building, crowdfunding (Patreon, Kickstarter), publishing options, and monetization, while weaving in storytelling, humor, and behind-the-scenes studio perspectives. Listeners get candid discussions about income stability, creative independence, and community engagement, with frequent guest experts and fellow creators offering actionable tips for artists at all levels. Its mix of craft, business strategy, and camaraderie makes it particularly helpful for indie cartoonists, webcomic creators, and anyone seeking practical advice on turning passion into a livelihood, without losing creative... more

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How many listeners does Comic Lab get?

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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. Radiolab
5. Freakonomics Radio

How many episodes of Comic Lab are there?

Comic Lab launched 9 years ago and published 463 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?

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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. Jamar Nicholas
3. Mort Gerberg
4. Jim Davis
5. Katie Cook
6. Terri Libenson
7. Dee Fish
8. Fran Sundblad

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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