Podcasts about cartoonists

Is there a limit to how many cartoonists can build successful careers—or is the real limiting factor the cartoonists themselves?Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett examine the surprisingly vast comics ecosystem, where thousands of creators can cultivate separate audiences without ever appearing on one another's radar. The market may have room for far more working cartoonists than we realize — but success requires more than artistic ability. Creators must also be willing to learn business, communicate consistently with their audiences, and improve when something doesn't work.Also: Brad discovers that his brilliant new idea had already been implemented… by Brad.ON TODAY'S SHOWIs there a ceiling on the number of successful comics careers?Why artistic talent alone isn't enoughThe danger of waiting for Marvel, syndication, or a publisher to “make” your careerAudience-building isn't “shilling”—it's part of the jobCould 10,000 different Brad Guigars all make a living?How niche comics find their “true fans”Three essentials for a sustainable comics careerWhy repeated promotional messaging mattersThe Council of BradsDo Kickstarter creators owe sales tax?Kickstarter Pledge Manager vs. BackerKitDr. Wigglesby: Which comic was the first successful daily newspaper strip? You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Nationally syndicated political cartoonist & author, A.F. Branco joins the show to discuss how he wound up in his career and  whether it's difficult to be conservative in Washington State.And of course he will be answered all your questions as well!Find A.F.:Facebook: BrancoToonsInsta: AFBrancoRumble: A.F. Branco CartoonsX: afbranc

How do you build momentum as a cartoonist — and what happens when you lose it?Brad and Dave examine momentum across every part of a creative career: generating ideas, maintaining a productive workflow, growing an audience, and building a sustainable business. They discuss why progress can feel imperceptibly slow at first, how consistent work eventually begins producing its own energy, and why returning after a break can feel like starting a stalled train.Then, a listener asks how cartoonists should transition between scenes, chapters, and storylines in a collected book. Brad and Dave compare their very different approaches, debate whether a completely blank page is ever justified, and explain how multiple purpose-driven read-throughs can reveal problems with pacing, continuity, page turns, and transitions.Also: Skunk Watch 2026 continues, Dave considers surrendering his backyard, and Professor Dr. Reginald Wigglesby reveals the completely reliable history behind Little Orphan Annie's pupil-less eyes.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...What “momentum” means in a creative careerWhy momentum takes longer to build than most cartoonists expectCreative momentum and generating new ideasUsing an assembly-line workflow to work faster and betterRepurposing one comic for websites, social media, books, merchandise, and moreBuilding business momentum through Patreon, Kickstarter, and audience trustWhy old business models can survive on momentum—even after they stop making senseRecovering after a creative pauseTransitioning between scenes, chapters, and storylinesSplash pages, title pages, narration boxes—and the dreaded blank pageConducting separate read-throughs for dialogue, art, pacing, continuity, and page turnsReviewing a book in print, on desktop, and on a small screenSkunk Watch 2026Prof. Wigglesby, The Histories of Sequential Art: Little Orphan Annie's eyes You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Robert Saucedo is a film programmer who works out of Houston, Texas. When the COVID pandemic hit, he found himself with a lot of free time because, well, people weren’t necessarily going to the movies. That’s when Robert decided he would occupy himself by writing a werewolf novel that he would initially only share with […]

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight joined Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft to discuss the 2026 AFL premiership posters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight joined Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft to discuss the 2026 AFL premiership posters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much of a successful comics career depends on being temporarily delusional? Brad and Dave suspect it may be more than anyone wants to admit.Then, a listener asks about creating a style guide for a comic. Brad and Dave discuss the small decisions that help lettering remain clear, consistent, and easy to read — from spelling out numerals and avoiding hyphenated line breaks to shaping word balloons, using all-caps lettering, and deciding whether “livestream” is one word or two.Finally, they look back at the pivotal “sliding doors” moments that could have sent their careers in entirely different directions. Dave talks about leaving Mattel, choosing webcomics over syndication, and the friendships that helped him become a better cartoonist. Brad remembers the collapsed newspaper job offer that sent him back to comics, the syndicate pitch that deserved to fail, and the leap that finally made cartooning his full-time career.ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW...Why every creative career requires a little temporary delusionWhat belongs in a comic-specific style guideWhy Brad spells out numbers in Evil IncPunctuation, abbreviations, and the Oxford commaWhy hyphenating words inside balloons hurts readabilityHow line breaks affect the shape and flow of a word balloonAll caps versus sentence-case letteringUsing colloquial spellings without making dialogue difficult to readThe pivotal decisions that changed Brad and Dave's careersLeaving a secure job to become a full-time cartoonistChoosing webcomics over newspaper syndicationHow a community of fellow cartoonists can accelerate your growthComicLab is made possible through the support of our Patreon members. Join us at Patreon.com/ComicLab for more than 200 hours of bonus episodes, including our exclusive Pro Tips podcast, and access to the ComicLab Discord community.Share your thoughts on the ComicLab Confab Line: 1-609-379-3520. We may play your message on a future episode! You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

On today's show, Bay Area cartoonist and author Stephan Pastis, along with illustrator Will Henry talk about their new “He-Man” novel for kids. We revisit an interview with Stephan about his long-running “Pearls Before Swine” comic strip. Then, we stay on beat with the KALW Music team. They let us in on cool events they have coming up that you will want to attend.

New York Times bestselling author Stephan Pastis has joined forces with illustrator and award-winning cartoonist Will Henry, on the middle-grade book “Skeletor Ate My Homework (The Adventures of He-Man and Porter #1).” The spoke about creating stories for the Mattel character on "The Sights + Sounds Show with Jeneé Darden."

Shane Portman is an Emmy nominated writer who has had a distinguished career working in the animation industry. Recently, Shane turned his talents toward making comic books. When he decided to create a sequential art series he knew he wanted it to reach a bit deeper than your average funny book tale. Shane reached inside […]

Jason Neulander is a performer, writer, producer, and director. His latest project is a graphic novel update of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson book Treasure Island called Treasure Island Reimagined: Jane Hawkins and the Pirate’s Gold. The original novel is a book that is that is very near to his heart as he used to […]

Lectrr is al vijftien jaar de huiscartoonist van De Standaard. Op zijn elfde publiceerde hij al cartoons in verschillende West-Vlaamse kranten. Hij wordt nationaal en internationaal bekroond , maar betaalt er ook zelf een prijs voor. Al drie keer werd hij met de dood bedreigd en de VS en China mag hij niet meer in. Welkom in de wondere wereld van cartoonist Steven Degryse oftewel Lectrr.Gebruik de code FRIETCAST en je krijgt op je eerste drie bestellingen een korting van 20 euro. Meer info vind je  hier https://bit.ly/4aDBe0F Niets zo belangrijk als het vinden, terugvinden (belonen en bekronen) van een goede frituur. VOLG Frietcast op andere kanalen: Luister via: https://linktr.ee/frietcast (Apple podcast, Spotify, Google, YOUTUBE...) Instagram: www.instagram.com/frietcastHet kunnen niet alle dagen frieten zijn en daarom werkt Frietcast samen met FOODBAG. En dat is leuk voor jou! Contact: voor samenwerkingen of boekingen: info@frietcast.be

Dave and Brad return from the 80th Annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards with stories to tell! They look back on ComicLab LIVE and a private tour of the newly redesigned Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum! Then it's on to the Reuben Awards, where Mark Tatulli finally won the Reuben Award after years of nominations. But some of the best moments happened between the scheduled events. Brad gets the chance to sit down with 95-year-old cartooning legend Mort Gerberg and hear stories about the golden age of magazine cartooning — including an incredible story about a newly arrived Sergio Aragonés taking Manhattan by storm. Jim Davis shares the story behind Garfield's famous suction-cup dolls, along with his surprisingly strict 25-word rule for writing the strip. And the farewell brunch turns into an exchange of sketches, original art, and some wonderful reminders of why cartoonists come back to this event year after year. Finally, an old collection of America's “best college cartoonists” offers an unexpected lesson about making a career in comics: You don't have to start out at the front of the pack. You just have to keep going. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... • ComicLab LIVE at the NCS Conference • The newly redesigned Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum • Which original would you save from a museum fire? • The Reuben Awards • Katie Cook and Mark Tatulli take home awards • Lunch with Dave and Eileen Blazek • Brad's conversation with Mort Gerberg • Mort's stories about Sergio Aragonés • Jim Davis on writing Garfield • The accidental origin of the Garfield suction-cup doll • Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott • Original art at the farewell brunch • ComicLab listeners at the NCS • The NCS Cartoonist Showcase • Why persistence matters more than being the best You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Fred Schwartz is a writer who’s had a bit of a difficult past. Schwartz is an alcoholic and at one point in his life his addiction became so consuming that he ended up in a coma with severe kidney damage. Luckily, he was able to recover as his body miraculously healed from the harm that […]

The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, Bone and the Changing Face of Comics (2009) The Film Buff Review

The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, Bone and the Changing Face of Comics (2009) The Film Buff Review

Once again, Dave and Brad brought their podcast to the stage at the annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards. They were joined by Dee Fish, Terri Libenson, and Jamar Nicholas — three cartoonists with very different creative paths and a wealth of hard-earned advice to share. Dee Fish Dee Fish is a cartoonist, illustrator, and writer best known for Finding Dee, her semi-autobiographical webcomic about navigating life after coming out as a transgender woman. Dee was nominated for a Reuben Award in the Best Online Shortform category. Terri Libenson Terri Libenson is the cartoonist and author behind the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends graphic-novel series. Before moving into graphic novels, she created the syndicated comic strip The Pajama Diaries and worked as a writer and illustrator for greeting cards. Her tenth Emmie & Friends book, Seriously, Celia?, arrives in September 2026. Jamar Nicholas Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning cartoonist, graphic novelist, and educator whose work includes the Leon series from Scholastic Graphix, beginning with Leon the Extraordinary. He also adapted Geoffrey Canada's memoir Fist Stick Knife Gun into a graphic novel and has spent much of his career teaching and encouraging young people to tell stories through comics. The third Leon graphic novel, Leon and the Big, Big Problem, is scheduled for January 2027. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

On September 8th, Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, Kristian decided to gather some of the biggest Trek nerds he knew to talk about the Star Trek films featuring the original cast of actors. This week, PTF welcomes Trekker and Kristian’s brother-in-law, Dan Twohig, to the bridge of the Starship Part-Time […]

Our resident "retired" sports cartoonist Mike Ricigliano returns to Koco's Pub on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour for a Baltimore sports and artist take on state of Ravens and Orioles. And what the hell has happened to his Buffalo Bills this offseason? The post Cartoonist Mike Ricigliano returns to Koco's Pub for Baltimore sports and artist take on state of Ravens and Orioles first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

A slice of kiwi history has been dug out of the Footrot Flats archive ready for a new home. 50 years after Murray Ball created the iconic cartoon, an original artwork he did for Water Safety NZ in the 80s is being sold to raise funds for the organisation. Murray Ball's son, Mason Ball spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

We did not trick these titans into coming on! They volunteered for another round in the um luke warm seat. Ladies and Gents, theys and thems, we welcome back to the show the sharp as a tack editorial cartoonist, Kevin Kallaugher, of The Economist, and recently ousted from The Baltimore Sun and attorney, Barry Lynn, formerly Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and author of Piety & Politics: The Right-Wing Assault on Religious Freedom and (titled by me) Paid to Piss People Off: Peace, Porn, and Prayer.And, boy, do we get into it: Kal's 50th anniversary at The Economist, scandals, discovering Barry has a book of Kal's, how to engage with the checked out, mid-terms, the military, Sigh...The Democrats, Freedom of Expression Under Siege, fighting government overreach, the lame stream media, organizing on substack, Jerry Fucking Falwell, satire, humor, cartoonists and comedians and their similarities, Lewis Black, money, defining charisma, USA Bicentennial, BIG RIP to "Flimsy Lindsay" Graham, Mamdani, a box of flaming excrement, and, actually, maybe a few more boxes of burning shit.

Today's show is brought to you by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com and use the discount code COMICLAB10 for 10% off. Dave Kellett is back from San Diego Comic-Con 2026, and he brought receipts! After 27 years of exhibiting at the show, Dave just had his best Comic-Con ever — including an absolutely bonkers $6,000 Sunday. But a big gross number doesn't necessarily mean a big payday. Brad and Dave dig into the actual economics of exhibiting at one of the world's biggest conventions: booth fees, sales tax, travel, merchandise, lost studio time, and the advantages Dave has because he lives within driving distance of San Diego. After roughly $19,600 in gross sales, Dave estimates his actual profit at about $11,000. Then, they get into the stuff you can actually use at your next convention: Track your sales throughout the day When sales slow down, get active Use drawing as theater Pay attention to your product mix Think about revenue per square inch Let the market prune your merchandise Your merchandise should say something about the buyer — not about you SPONSORED BY HOGAN'S ALLEY This week's episode is sponsored by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com and use the discount code COMICLAB10 for 10% off. MORE COMIC-CON ADVICE ON PRO TIPS Dave had another 15–20 Comic-Con topics he wanted to cover, so we're continuing the conversation on ComicLab Pro Tips with a deeper dive into conventions, exhibiting, merchandising, and Dave's approach to making a convention financially worthwhile. To hear those episodes, join us at Patreon.com/ComicLab. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Matt McGrath is a writer who never really loved horror as a genre. He was always more into sci-fi, fantasy, or superheroes. That changed, however, once he started writing comic books. For one reason or another, most of the projects and anthologies he got involved in were in the horror milieu and eventually he found […]

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 beginnings in her sketchbook to a comic that regularly reaches thousands of readers. She explains how Tiff and Eve represent two very different impulses — Tiff as the superego and Eve as the id — and shares a terrific character-development exercise: Lock your character in a room and ask what they do next. If you don't know the answer, you probably don't know the character well enough yet. Fran and Brad also talk about finding humor in the characters themselves rather than building every strip around a traditional punchline. That approach has helped Tiff & Eve explore Fran's experiences as a trans woman while remaining first and foremost a funny comic about two friends. In this episode: How Tiff & Eve grew out of Fran's sketchbook Writing two characters as opposing parts of your own personality Fran's “locked room” test for determining whether a character is fully developed Character-driven humor vs. setup/punchline comedy Using comedy to make personal experiences relatable What happens when readers interpret your comics differently than you intended Why Fran refuses to explain a joke Surviving hostile comments, Reddit Cares abuse, and the stranger side of online audiences Why cartoonists should post comics to their Reddit profile, not only to individual subreddits Learning the culture of each subreddit instead of treating Reddit as one giant audience Formatting comics differently for different communities — including designing images so Reddit's mobile crop doesn't hide important information Why fewer clicks usually means more readers The danger of chasing trends, politics, and viral Reddit “meta” events simply for upvotes Why a huge viral hit may produce surprisingly few new followers or Patreon supporters Why effort and artistic complexity don't necessarily translate into social-media success The value of clarity, brevity, and consistency on Reddit Knowing when a topical comic is nevertheless necessary because it's true to the characters Sunday Comix, a webcomic collective and email newsletter designed to help cartoonists reach readers without depending entirely on social-media algorithms Fran's experience offers an especially useful reminder for cartoonists trying to build an audience online: don't confuse attention with audience growth. A trendy comic might earn tens of thousands of upvotes, but the work that builds a lasting readership is the work that gives people a reason to come back for your characters. Find Fran Sundblad and Tiff & Eve: Website: FranSundblad.com Bluesky / Instagram: @TiffAndEveComics Reddit: u/CrazyGnomenclature Sunday Comix: https://sundaycomix.com/ You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Cartoonist and musician Nick Thorburn (Islands, The Unicorns) joins Dave to talk about his new book Pear Shape from Fantagraphics, and Taste of Cherry, the debut album from his band The Creem. Thorburn talks about his creative approach to writing both comics and songs, the lifelong pull toward gallows humor and tenderness, and the freedom of letting stories reveal themselves as he works. The two discuss the early influence of Fantagraphics, the power of light-and-dark contradictions in art, Canada, and why comics remain a limitless medium for creators.https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/nick-thorburn?srsltid=AfmBOormMRB3XNjyWlPg_44AF2xYoGQEakXLr68FTaqcHA0FfeV235BsJoin My patreon! https://www.patreon.com/DavengersDirectEditiondirecteditionpodcast.com

Hitler wanted him arrested. Mussolini banned him. And in a little Hampstead studio, David Low took on the dictators armed with nothing more than a pencil.

And now a reposting of this rambling and too brief biography of Rube Goldberg, the dean of cartoonists.

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 all those drawbacks have one very important thing in common — and it's not what you'd expect! TODAY'S SHOW ComicLab gets someone engaged! The worst parts of being a webcartoonist. Creativity isn't always consistent. Success doesn't eliminate insecurity. The business work never disappears. Webcomics demand interaction. The drawbacks are the flip side of the benefits! Is the direct market disappearing? Grieve the comic-shop dream—and move forward. Getting outside your comfort zone. Comedy can strengthen dramatic storytelling. Beware the shiny object. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

About two weeks ago the first Spider-Man film in almost five years was released and it smashed box office records! Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the fourth Tom Holland starring Spidey film and it picked up where No Way Home left off, with Peter Parker living in a world where no one remembers him but […]

Cartoonist, illustrator, and festival artist Jay Howell joins host Hollie Nicole at Inkcarceration for a funny, fascinating conversation connecting animation, skate culture, tattoos, and the world of rock and metal festivals.Jay shares how drawing for Vans, Antihero, Creature, and Burton Snowboards helped shape his career before Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard discovered his artwork at a San Francisco show. He also reveals the hilariously dark original concept for Bob's Burgers and how his loose drawing style evolved when the series entered television development.The story then takes a rock-and-roll turn as Jay explains how tattooing a creative director led to an unexpected offer to join the Danny Wimmer Presents festival circuit. That opportunity became one of his favorite jobs, allowing him to create festival artwork and draw musicians including Slash, Kerry King, Green Day, Insane Clown Posse, and Pierce the Veil.Jay also discusses drawing dozens of fans each day, why attendees are just as important as the bands, and the artist still sitting at the top of his wish list. Plus, he teases upcoming Guns N' Roses artwork, posters, merchandise, art shows, ShipRocked, and appearances at Louder Than Life, Bourbon & Beyond, Aftershock, and future DWP festivals.Press play for animation history, rock festival art, unforgettable celebrity encounters, Inkcarceration chaos, and Hollie Nicole receiving her own Jay Howell character!

Just five short months after Charles Schulz's passing, the top cartoonists in the field dedicated a day of their own strips to remembering Sparky. The gang looks at Peanuts tribute strips by Jim Davis (Garfield) Aaron McGruder (Boondocks) Cathy Guisewite (Cathy) and more. See the Go Comics article: https://www.gocomics.com/profile/OfficialGoComics/collections/44986 Transcript available at UnpackingPeanuts.com Jimmy's, Michael's, and Harold's books are available at UnpackingPeanuts.com/store. Unpacking Peanuts is copyright Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen, Harold Buchholz, and Liz Sumner. Produced and edited by Liz Sumner. Music by Michael Cohen. Additional voiceover by Aziza Shukralla Clark.  For more from the show follow @unpackpeanuts on Instagram and Threads, and @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook, Blue Sky, and YouTube. For more about Jimmy, Michael, and Harold, visit unpackingpeanuts.com.   Thanks for listening.

Get up to speed on a fascinating legal challenge to Big Tech by an independent web cartoonist. Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) break it down on today's DMZ America Podcast. Who will win—cartoonists and creators, or Big Tech? Filipino cartoonist Elmer Saflor, who goes by pen name Superelmer, has filed a complaint against Memes App, LLC, the operator of Memes.ai and Memes AI Studio, for copyright infringement when they began selling a commercial template subscription plan that includes his viral cartoon “Running Away Balloon.”The complaint asks the court to stop the defendants use of his comic and compel discovery to see how many ads used his work. If instances are found, Memes App could face statutory damages upwards of $150,000 per “willful infringement.”By taking on the meme generator, Saflor may hit a wall if the court finds that his arguments apply to any meme generator and a finding in his favor could risk undercutting the entire meme ecosystem, Goldman said.

Get up to speed on a fascinating legal challenge to Big Tech by an independent web cartoonist. Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) break it down on today's DMZ America Podcast. Who will win—cartoonists and creators, or Big Tech? Filipino cartoonist Elmer Saflor, who goes by pen name Superelmer, has filed a complaint against Memes App, LLC, the operator of Memes.ai and Memes AI Studio, for copyright infringement when they began selling a commercial template subscription plan that includes his viral cartoon “Running Away Balloon.”The complaint asks the court to stop the defendants use of his comic and compel discovery to see how many ads used his work. If instances are found, Memes App could face statutory damages upwards of $150,000 per “willful infringement.”By taking on the meme generator, Saflor may hit a wall if the court finds that his arguments apply to any meme generator and a finding in his favor could risk undercutting the entire meme ecosystem, Goldman said.

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 and shows how one number can unlock a much clearer understanding of a membership business. They discuss subscriber retention, lifetime value, onboarding, well-timed interventions, and how to determine whether advertising or convention appearances are truly worth the investment. Then, Dave asks whether publishing a children's book page by page on his existing webcomic could finally help him finish it. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 What churn rate means for a Patreon creator Why total membership and revenue can give you an incomplete picture Finding the necessary numbers in Patreon Insights Two methods for calculating churn rate What constitutes a healthy churn rate Why one month of data isn't enough Calculating your average churn rate over time Calculating your retention rate Estimating average subscriber lifetime Calculating average monthly revenue per member Determining the lifetime value of a Patreon backer Why retaining a current member is cheaper than acquiring a new one Using Patreon Autopilot to reduce cancellations Evaluating the quality and value of your Patreon rewards Improving the onboarding experience for new members Welcome messages, digital gifts, and personalized Bonjoro videos Brad's one-week Patreon check-in Helping new backers navigate a complicated archive Using average subscriber lifetime to schedule a retention intervention Brad's 18-month check-in and longtime-backer gift Repackaging older work into valuable digital rewards Rewarding and recognizing your longest-serving supporters Exclusive livestreams, previews, and “inner circle” benefits Calculating an acceptable customer-acquisition cost Evaluating paid advertising with lifetime-value data Tracking whether a comic convention was financially worthwhile Why free webcomics may still be the best customer-acquisition strategy Dave's productivity tip: drawing to Brazilian Carnival music Using a webcomic schedule to force yourself to complete a children's book Why serialized children's-book pages may not satisfy online readers Publishing complete thematic sections instead of individual pages Building a new project into an established comic's schedule The difficulty of building an audience for an independent children's book When a traditional children's-book publisher may be helpful Creative control, editorial notes, and refusing unwanted revisions Breaking publishing rules and trusting your own experience Releasing a finished independent book before seeking wider distribution Why experienced cartoonists may resist redrawing or revising completed work ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards   You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

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 the first page of a story or chapter. The best opening isn't determined by a universal rule—it should establish the right expectations, reflect the story you're telling, and give readers a reason to keep going. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 Do anti-AI statements offer creators legal protection? Why a standard copyright notice may already cover AI training The difference between creating, declaring, and registering a copyright What information belongs on a copyright page Copyright and trademark ownership When to use ™ and when to use ® Print location, printing numbers, and edition information ISBNs and Library of Congress numbers Combining copyright, title, credit, and dedication pages Should a comic begin with a splash page? Does the main character need to appear on page one? Using the opening page to establish tone and make a promise to the reader Why different stories require different kinds of openings Brad's two-page system for beginning a new Evil Inc chapter Creating separate covers for SFW and NSFW editions Using chapter openers as archive markers, promotional art, and production buffers Dave's approach to prologues, chapter openings, and world-building vignettes The difference between the first page and the first chapter ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

When Sarah Leavitt's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she began documenting everything she could through drawings and writing. Those records became Tangles, her acclaimed 2010 graphic memoir, which was the first graphic narrative to be named a finalist for the Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction. Now, more than 15 years later, Tangles has been adapted into a film starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Abbi Jacobson (Broad City) and Wanda Sykes (The New Adventures of Old Christine). Sarah co-wrote the screenplay, and the film premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where it received a lengthy standing ovation. Q guest host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe caught up with Sarah to talk about it.

For more than three decades, Bruce Sconzo has chronicled the world with a cartoonist's eye, blending wit, sharp observation, and an unmistakable drawing style to capture everything from everyday life to politics and popular culture. His new collection, 'Bruce: Three Decades of Cartooning.'

Cartoonist and animator Ben Wickey spent more than a decade toiling away on More Weight. The original graphic novel is an astonishing achievement, recounting the Salem witch trials through extensive research and dusting off History's cobwebs. Wickey re-contextualizes the events and the people, establishing how the horror stretches across time, touching upon literary giants like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as well as himself and every one of his readers. We're publishing this podcast on the eve of the Eisner Awards, held at San Diego Comic-Con International. More Weight finds itself nominated for Best Graphic Novel Album - New. Wickey stands amongst some stiff competition, but as you heard in our Stampies: Best Comics of 2025 episode, we think it's not only worthy of that nomination, but we believe it to be one of the best comics of the twenty-first century. More Weight is not a textbook. It's a riveting, horrorifying, and beautifully human drama. It's staggering to witness the thought and concern Wickey put into these characters, and his artistic depiction is simply breathtaking. Today's podcast is one we've wanted to have for months. It's a thorough conversation, exploring with Wickey why the Salem witch trials are more significant today, and it will probably remain so for as long as those living dare to dismiss it as Halloween decoration. More Weight is available from Top Shelf Productions wherever rad comic books are sold. Follow Ben Wickey on Instagram. Follow the Rest of our San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Coverage Christopher Cantwell on Star Trek David Steinberger and Chip Mosher on Neon Ichiban 2.5 Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Christian Ward on The Forever Home Comic Book Club: Spider-Man: Brand New Day at Meanwhile...Coffee in Herndon, Virginia, on 8/2 at 3:30 PM Comic Book Film Club: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 8/9 at 5:00 PM Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors The Future is Calling! 2000 AD is the Galaxy's Greatest Comic, with new issues published every single week! Every 32-page issue of 2000 AD brings you the best in sci-fi and horror, featuring characters like Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, and more. Get a print subscription to 2000 AD and it'll arrive to your mailbox every week - and your first issue is free! Or subscribe digitally, and you can download DRM-free copies of each issue for only $9 a month. That's 128 pages of incredible comics every month for less than $10! Head to 2000AD.com and click on ‘subscribe' now – or download the 2000 AD app and start reading today! What happens when the love of your life is buried on the other side of the country, and you're a ghost who can't leave your grave? That's the beautifully haunting setup of Till Death, a new romantic horror-comedy from Michael Schwartz, Rachael Schaefer, and artist Gaia Cardinali now on Kickstarter from Clover Press! Vivian has waited decades for her husband to join her in the afterlife. But when she discovers he's been buried across the country, she makes a deal with Mack, a man whose near-death experience allows him to see ghosts. We've read Till Death, and we absolutely loved it. It's a bold, original four-color romance, fitting snugly inside comics' most unsung genre. Till Death is on Kickstarter now. Visit the campaign and make your pledge today! Third Eye Comics is opening its biggest store ever: Third Eye 97, a 10,000-square-foot comic, game, and collectibles mega-store inside a former Walmart in Glen Burnie, Maryland, with the doors opening July 25th. Grand opening month goes huge with a Rob Liefeld signing at the new flagship on July 31st, the legend behind Youngblood, Deadpool, and Cable, live and in person. Can't make it to Maryland? The entire Third Eye world ships to your door at thirdeyecomics.com: new releases, back issues, games, and exclusives, sent anywhere with Third Eye Ships. See Third Eye's massive inventory while watching THE STACKS and then order those same books your favorite creators talk about online! Use codeword: STACKSORDIE for 15% off your order! The Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Va is not only unlike any theater in America; it's unlike any Alamo Drafthouse. It's a franchise. In fact, it's the first Alamo Drafthouse location outside of Texas. On July 5th, their Film Club is celebrating America's 250th with the 85th Anniversary of the Greatest Movie Ever Made, Citizen Kane! They'll have an encore screening of Kane on Wednesday, July 8th, too. Film Club is great, but so is their Psycho Cinema series hosted by Faye. On July 14th, they're screening truly one of the best bad movies of all time, Samurai Cop. Golly, have you even lived until you've seen Samurai Cop on the big screen? I think not. Get your tickets today!

Cartoonist and author Dylan Meconis joins Dave Kellett to discuss marketing middle-grade webcomics, working with fans who offer to translate your work, and finding the right balance between control and accessibility. They also share practical advice for cartoonists creating an autobiographical avatar — including how simplification, posture, clothing, line quality, and tone can make a character feel unmistakably like you. Topics include: Marketing and monetizing middle-grade webcomics Reaching young readers through parents, newsletters, libraries, and local events Using print editions, zines, and snail-mail clubs to complement online comics Deciding whether to permit fan translations Maintaining quality control with beta readers and creator-hosted translations Balancing copyright concerns with the desire to reach new audiences Designing a cartoon version of yourself for memoir and autobiographical comics You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Asher Perlman, Comedian, Writer, and Cartoonist, joins John Williams to talk about his career being a writer for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, what it was like working at the show after they knew it was going to be going off the air, how he creates his cartoons, how the comedy landscape has been changing, […]

Asher Perlman, Comedian, Writer, and Cartoonist, joins John Williams to talk about his career being a writer for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, what it was like working at the show after they knew it was going to be going off the air, how he creates his cartoons, how the comedy landscape has been changing, […]

Asher Perlman, Comedian, Writer, and Cartoonist, joins John Williams to talk about his career being a writer for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, what it was like working at the show after they knew it was going to be going off the air, how he creates his cartoons, how the comedy landscape has been changing, […]

[REBROADCAST FROM April 30, 2025]  When cartoonist Harry Bliss lost his dog of 17 years, Penny, he realized in his grief that he wanted to take stock of his life. The result is a graphic memoir, You Can Never Die, featuring his many illustrations of Penny, journal entries, reflections on his often dysfunctional family and his career. Cover art courtesy of the publisher Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, Brad and Dave talk about the best business model for longform webcomics — and why putting your comic online for free is still the strongest way to build a sustainable career. Also: Kickstarter's late-pledge and pledge-manager tools, the difference between market research and mirror research, and how to keep going when your first posts get nothing but crickets. ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW... Dave's backyard skunk problem may or may not require Super Soakers What's the best business model for longform webcomics? Why fear of theft can stop creators from building an audience Why free-to-read comics remain the best foundation for a comics business “First comes the crowd, then comes the funding” Why readers who enjoy your work online are often first in line to buy the book How delayed access and early-access posts fit into a Patreon strategy Why exclusive side stories can work better than paywalling your main archive Avoiding physical rewards on Patreon and Substack Dave will be at San Diego Comic-Con booth 1228 with free ComicLab pins (use the super-easy mnemonic: 1BAT)  Kickstarter late pledges and Pledge Manager are bringing in real money Why charging shipping closer to fulfillment can be safer Market research vs. mirror research How to estimate Kickstarter shipping more accurately What to do when you start posting online and get “crickets” Why seven posts is not enough time to expect traction Reframing early work as building an archive for future fans Social-media advice for giving readers a reason to engage Why success in comics is a marathon, not a sprint You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Dave Kellett returns from his first-ever college reunion with a full heart — and a renewed appreciation for old friends, running jokes, and the occasional listener washing dishes through the cold open. From there, Brad and Dave dig into one of the trickiest parts of writing comics: how much work should the reader have to do to “get” the punchline? Using Brad's motorcycle-jump-over-a-ravine metaphor, they discuss why wider joke “canyons” can create bigger laughs, why shorter jumps can feel merely “technically funny,” and why the best cartoonists learn how to build strong launching ramps while understanding that every reader brings a different landing ramp. Also in this episode: How to show music in a silent medium, why semi-realistic comics should still embrace comics iconography, a quick San Diego Comic-Con update, Bluesky's expanded image carousel, and why obsessing over analytics can become a form of creative procrastination. Topics covered in this episode include: Writing punchlines that require inference from the reader Brad's “motorcycle jumping a ravine” metaphor for humor Why wider joke gaps can produce bigger laughs The difference between “funny” and “technically funny” Why some jokes land for one reader and miss for another How audience literacy, life experience, and context affect comedy Why “it took me a second” can be a feature, not a bug The danger of making every joke too obvious Why memorable comics often take bigger comedic swings Why being someone's “top three cartoonist” matters more than broad mild approval The difference between newspaper-era comics and webcomics-era audience building Dave's San Diego Comic-Con booth update The free ComicLab pin for listeners at Booth 1228 Bluesky expanding post image limits from 4 images to 10 How the new Bluesky carousel can help sequential artists How to communicate piano music in comics Why floating music notes are not “too cartoony” for semi-realistic comics Using established comics iconography instead of reinventing the wheel Why comics can suggest music but rarely reproduce the experience of music How manga and anime use visual language more freely Using musical notation as a visual “spice,” not the whole dish Why analytics can become creative avoidance Whether it matters how quickly a comic reaches its maximum views Why “magic number” thinking can distract from improving the next comic Why creators should spend less time dusting bookcases and more time making better comics What's better? A simple gag or one that requires the audience to think? UPDATE: Comic-Con International booth 1228 Update: Bluesky update... 10 images per post! Indicating music in a realistic comic How long does it take to achieve maximum views? You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 27! Our guest this episode is Miles Toriko Burks. He's a California-based cartoonist, writer, and illustrator whose work focuses on heartfelt stories about identity, friendship, queer joy, and emotional vulnerability. His debut print graphic novel Encore! was released June 2, 2026 through HarperAlley. It's the print adaptation of his very popular Webtoon series of the same name.  Encore! is a queer YA rom-com about two former best friends reconnecting during a shared high school theater class, and after they're partnered up, they need to confront the unresolved feelings and emotional distance between them. The story has already drawn comparisons to works like Heartstopper for its warmth, sincerity, and focus on emotional connection. A lifelong artist, Burks first gained a loyal viewership online through fan comics and digital illustration before transitioning into original storytelling on Webtoon. This is where his story Encore! developed a devoted following. His work blends expressive artwork with deeply relatable coming-of-age themes, often centering characters from underrepresented backgrounds and exploring how relationships evolve over time. We love how Miles is focused on creating stories featuring characters who reflect identities and experiences that he rarely saw growing up. He creates diverse stories without focusing on all the representation he includes.  In our conversation we talk about the inspiration for Encore!, how he developed his artistic style, the conversations he hopes he inspires with his work, the impact of social media and Webtoon on feedback, the importance of queer joy, and so much more. To learn more about Miles Toriko Burks, you can visit his website at milestburks.com, follow him on instagram @milestburks, purchase your own copy of Encore!, or see his work on Webtoon. We'll link to these in our show notes.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

This week, Brad and Dave discuss one of the easiest traps for independent creators to fall into: Outsourcing important business or creative decisions to reader polls. Audience feedback can be useful, but when creators ask readers to steer decisions about Patreon tiers, Kickstarter rewards, publishing strategy, or creative direction, they often get noisy, contradictory advice that can lead them away from their own best judgment. Topics covered in this episode include: Why readers are experts in consumption, not creation The danger of asking your audience to make business decisions for you Brad's cautionary tale from his early days as a newspaper designer Why negative comments carry more psychological weight than positive ones The difference between listening to readers and asking readers to decide Why feedback should be treated as a compass, not a steering wheel How polling readers can create factions and resentment among backers Why creators should rely first on their own instincts, goals, and judgment The value of seeking advice from trusted peers and experienced professionals Why no single expert — including ComicLab — should be treated as the only authority Dave's hierarchy of advice: Heart and mind first, peers and pros second, passive reader feedback third Erika Moen's thoughtful counterpoint about social-media assistants How a social-media assistant can protect creators from harassment, criticism, and burnout The difference between a social-media assistant as a partner versus a replacement Plans and possibilities for future live ComicLab events Dave's San Diego Comic-Con appearance at Booth 1228, including free ComicLab pins for listeners A listener question about “boomer humor” and whether it should be taken as an insult The difference between old-fashioned joke structure and out-of-touch subject matter Why traditional setup-and-punchline comedy still works How Reddit comments often reflect meme culture more than thoughtful criticism When repeated criticism might be worth filtering for a useful grain of truth Why creators should protect their confidence while staying open to thoughtful feedback You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

This week, Brad and Dave discuss what happens after a cartoonist achieves the dream: making a living from comics. They explain why success can create its own time-management problems, how to protect the thing that's already working, and why adding books, Kickstarter campaigns, merch, newsletters, or conventions should happen gradually. They also talk about practical systems for numbering webcomic pages, naming files, and keeping longform comics organized over time. Main topics covered Weird convention-reader encounters, including disputed signatures and free-sketch requests What to do when your comic and Patreon are working, but there's no time for anything else Protecting the “engine” of your business before adding new projects Avoiding concentration risk when most income comes from one platform Adding new business layers slowly instead of trying to do everything at once Using small projects, like enamel pins, as manageable learning experiences Why side projects can derail your main comic if you're not careful Finding extra time without wrecking your life or mental health Dave's San Diego Comic-Con booth and the free ComicLab enamel pin How to number pages for longform webcomics The difference between website numbering and book-page numbering Using SEO-friendly titles, focus keyphrases, transcripts, and alt text File-naming conventions for comics, including dates, chapters, pages, and vertical-scroll segments Planning ahead for long-running comics so your numbering system doesn't break later You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

British-born, LA-based author and illustrator Gemma Correll had a couple of reasons to choose  the motif of an amusement park for her new anxiety book, Anxietyland. One, she loves amusement parks and wanted to be able to write off a Disneyland trip as a research expedition. And also, there are so many great metaphors to be found there like emotional rollercoasters and a worry-go-round. With hilarious candor, Gemma shares her own story about fearing coyotes would eat her pets (there are no coyotes in England), taking endless flights of stairs to avoid elevators, and dealing with alcohol, who becomes a friend but not, ultimately, a good one. Secretary of Health & Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is, to put it mildly, a skeptic of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication, a form of meds that millions of Americans use regularly with tremendous benefit. He was once on SSRIs, went off them, then became addicted to heroin, and he believes these events are linked. He also believes they cause school shootings and cause harm to developing fetuses. There is no evidence to support this. Andrea Salinas, a Democrat who represents the 6th district in Oregon in the House of Representatives, joins us to unpack Kennedy's latest efforts to curtail SSRI use and availability and what her minority party is doing to answer the threat. Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun. Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com! Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org. Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join our Preshies Facebook group.  Help is available right away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joindepresh

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 cartoonists have tools that prose writers can only dream of. They also share thoughts on staying creative during major disruptions, from studio moves to home renovations. On today's show... Exclamation points in comics: how many is too many? Whether to use one, two, or three exclamation points Why comics grammar differs from prose grammar Using lettering, font size, bolding, and balloon shape instead of extra punctuation When punctuation becomes unnecessary in comics lettering Nate Piekos's The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering Question marks, exclamation points, and the interrobang How punctuation order can affect emotional meaning Writing dialogue for comics: numerals, abbreviations, and natural speech Jim Davis, Garfield, and simplifying comics language Meeting readers where they are through visual storytelling NCS Reuben Awards weekend in Columbus, Ohio Brad and Dave's panel: “Actionable Advice in a Time of Change” Remodeling, moving studios, and creative disruption Setting up a dedicated creative space during chaos Managing the cognitive load of unfinished studio/home projects Why working ahead matters before a move or remodel The danger of putting fun distractions in your studio The temptation of arcade cabinets, pool tables, and other creativity killers You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.