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: comiclabpodcast@gmail.com)
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We Considered Comics was a comics podcast dedicated to bringing a positive and welcoming attitude to all things related to comic books. From the Big Two and Boom! to the MCU and Image, if it has to do with a comic, we wanted to talk about it!
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Special Guest Co-Host Scott Kurtz — How to make a graphic novel
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Show note: Unfortunately, we had some daunting technical difficulties during this recording session, so we had to switch to Zoom to record half of the show. As Dave Kellett recovers from a successful San Diego Comic-Con, Scott Kurtz steps in to help Brad talk about making a graphic novel. In the second half, the two spill some tea over early webcom…
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How to use a sketchbook
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SHOW NOTE: Brad's microphone had some technical difficulties this week. Please excuse the momentary dip in sound quality. This week, we're talking about the right way to use a sketchbook. Also, is it a good idea to abandon social media completely and replace it with blogging? SUMMARY The hosts discuss the different ways they use sketchbooks and emp…
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How to get better faster and faster better
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Sometimes, it seems as if the more your skills improve, the longer it takes to get something done! Shouldn't it be the other way around?! Also... what's the most polite way to tell a comic-con shopper to just stop reading and BUY the danged comic? ON TODAY'S SHOW How to get better faster and faster better Sites with links to webcomics Stop reading …
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How to get subscribers on Substack
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Dave and Brad share proven strategies for building your audience on Substack. Also: What are the best approaches for dummy lettering — lettering that's supposed to be unreadable? TODAY'S SHOW How to get new sign-ups on Substack UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Dave Kellett's booth (#1228) during Comic-Con International UPDATE: The Nationa…
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When to throw in the towel
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Have you ever wanted to just quit? When all seems lost... when you're all out of hope... when you're about to give up, just remember... it can always get worse. Dave and Brad talk about surviving those dark nights of the soul and finding a little light. ON TODAY'S SHOW When to throw in the towel UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab pin at Comic-Con …
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How to raise your rates on Patreon
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Dave and Brad each realize they must raise their rates on their individual Patreon campaigns. This results in a surprising bout of Impostor Syndrome for Brad that nearly immobilizes him — if not for a meaningful intervention from a trusted friend. SHOW NOTES Raising rates on Patreon UPDATE: Get your exclusive ComicLab enamel pin at Comic-Con Intern…
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Special guest Asia Simone
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Marvel/Scholastic illustrator Asia Simone (Instagram, Twitter)shares her experience of illustrating a "Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" book, navigating the world of YA graphic novel publishing, and... surviving Brad's studio! Next, a listener asks... "Should I jump to Cara?" TODAY'S SHOW Special guest Asia Simone Should I jump to Cara? San Diego Comic-…
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How to build an audience on Substack
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Substack is one of the few social-media newcomers that actually produces visible results. It delivers audience-building, reader retention, advanced messaging, intelligent analytics, savvy promotion, and discovery. Better yet, it has a user interface that's a joy to use. So why are so many cartoonists perplexed by it? Brad and Dave do a deep dive in…
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Are dad jokes ~bad~ jokes?
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A new father asks if his baby will change how he writes. "Hey, Comics Dads, I'm worried," he says. "Hey, Worried, we're Comics Dads," we reply. And then Dave invites Brad to pull his finger. After they discuss the effects of parenthood on creativity, a friendly zinester writes in to take Brad to task over his dismissal of zines as "nutty." ON TODAY…
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It's Friday — am I famous yet?
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After six weeks of working on their comic, a listener asks how soon they can expect to make a living doing this — and gets an earful from Brad and Dave. Plus, Brad and Dave share more of their picks for Reuben Award nominees. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the importance of having realistic expectations and enjoying the creative process whe…
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They can't all be winners
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How much of your work would you consider "top tier?" Fifty percent? Twenty percent? And speaking of the top tier, Brad and Dave share a partial list of people they think should be nominated for a Reuben Award this year. In this episode, Brad and Dave discuss the ratio of their work that they consider to be top-tier. They also talk about the benefit…
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We've all heard successful creators complain that younger hopefuls "just don't want to do the hard work." They disregard the complicated nature of achieving their status and dismiss aspiring novices on the basis of one single factor. Survivorship bias is undoubtedly a result of flawed reasoning. ...But is it bad advice? Brad and Dave discuss surviv…
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Are we 'there' yet?
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How did Brad and Dave know when they'd "made it"? ALSO: Now that you have a website with a blog... what do you write?? Brad shares a heartwarming story about his dad's induction into the Michigan High School Bowling Hall of Fame. They discuss the concept of 'making it' as a cartoonist and the different definitions of success. They also address the …
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How much story is too much story?
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How do you know when you're giving your readers too many details? — or not enough? Where's the sweet spot between action and exposition? We're going deep on storycraft this week! PLUS: Zines, gutters, and distribution! THIS WEEK'S SHOW How much story to write Should you be doing a zine? Gutters Borders Distribution You get great rewards when you jo…
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Social media is dead... now what?
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Having completed their Kickstarters, Dave and Brad review the promotional outreach that delivered the biggest results and make a shocking discovery. Traditionally, social media platforms were the biggest drivers of Kickstarter pledges. But in 2024 they barely made the top ten. That raises an important question: If we can't rely on social media to d…
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Building traffic vs building audience
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Is it possible to build traffic for your comic without building an audience? Also, an anonymous post on Reddit accuses Webtoons of using a predatory contract. ON TODAY'S SHOW Building traffic vs. building an audience UPDATE: SDCC Panels UPDATE: Dave's 500 for 50 Is the Webtoons contract "predatory?" You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab …
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Special guest Dave Blazek
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This week, we're talking to Dave Blazek, creator of "Loose Parts," a single-panel comic syndicated to more than 120 newspapers worldwide. Blazek is a three-time NCS Silver Reuben award winner and a danged delight. We'll discuss how he became an "accidental cartoonist" and his unique approach to writing humor. You get great rewards when you join the…
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Special Guest Jason Chatfield
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New Yorker cartoonist Jason Chatfield joins us to talk about cartooning for the venerable mag, working with a writing partner, doing stand-up at Dangerfield's comedy club, helming the 104-year-old Ginger Meggs syndicated comic, and much, much more! ON TODAY'S SHOW Jason Chatfield on Substack Chatfield on creative collaborations Doing standup at Dan…
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How to maximize creativity
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We all have creative peaks and valleys. How can we maximize the good times and minimize the bad? ON TODAY'S SHOW Can you really maximize creativity? UPDATE: Dave's TikTok prediction may still come true UPDATE: 3-part series on Kickstarter coming to Pro Tips Favorite comics from outside the US You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Communi…
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How important is rebranding after a series of unsuccessful ventures? Also, how does one get their comic translated into another language — and why? ON TODAY'S SHOW Rebranding Translating a comic UPDATE: The importance of monthly Profit/Loss statements UPDATE: Authors Equity Planning for page turns You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Co…
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How to find the perfect pen name
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It's our most useful, actionable, practical show yet! Stufffed with handy tips and constructive advice for cartoonists and comic creators! ON TODAY'S SHOW Pen names UPDATE: Dave's Kickstarter at picklesbook.com UPDATE: Patreon Welcome surveys Honorifics, acronyms, and abbreviations in word balloons. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab …
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Stretching yourself thin
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Dave has some thoughts on AI. And Brad hates to stretch. That's it. That's the show. ON TODAY'S SHOW Artificial Intelligence is going to force us to be more creative How important is it to rest? NOTE: The Kickstarter for Brad's new Evil Inc books ends this week! Time is running out! You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patr…
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Special Guest Scott Kurtz and "Tables Titans Club"
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Scott Kurtz is on the show to talk about the release of his new book, "Table Titans Club." It's available at Target stores nationwide, along with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore! ON TODAY'S SHOW Reimagining the "Table Titans" webcomic as a middle-school graphic novel Working with an editor for the first time Pivoting from self-publ…
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Are you using the wrong tool for the job?
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Kickstarter delivers on Discovery in a big way. So would it be wise to use it to replace our failing social media platforms? ON TODAY'S SHOW Using Kickstarter as social media? UPDATE: NCS Reuben Awards 2024 UPDATE: Dave has "Still Got it!" Posting a parody on Webtoon to gain notoriety NOTE: The Kickstarter campaign for Brad's new Evil Inc book is i…
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Using animation to promote
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TikTok and Instagram reels are moving to the forefront of social media. Is it time to learn video/animation so you can promote your webcomic? ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Using animation to promote UPDATE: Short Story Challenge UPDATE: Eisner deadline UPDATE: AI Art A digital-exclusive eComic You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on …
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