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)
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Is there a LIMIT to comics success?
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
Oct 1 59 min
How to Build Momentum
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, m
Sep 24 1 h 02 min
How to Make a Style Guide for Your Comic
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 ab
Sep 17 1 h 15 min
80th Annual NCS Conference and Reuben Awards Review
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 t
Sep 10 59 min
ComicLab LIVE! at the 80th annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards
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
Sep 3 59 min
How to Succeed at San Diego Comic-Con
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 d
Aug 27 1 h 02 min
Special Guest Fran Sundblad, creator of "Tiff & Eve"
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 lea
Aug 20 1 h 13 min
The Worst Thing About Webcomics
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
Aug 13 1 h 07 min
How to Calculate Churn — and Why
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 r
Aug 6 1 h 17 min
First Pages First
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
Jul 30 1 h 08 min
Special Guest Dylan Meconis
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 ri
Jul 23 1 h 26 min
What's the Best Business Model for Comics?
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 sust
Jul 16 1 h 02 min
Why Some Punchlines Don’t Land
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 washin
Jul 9 1 h 08 min
Never Outsource Your Vision
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. Aud
Jul 2 1 h 04 min
Surviving Your Own Success
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-managem
Jun 25 1 h 02 min
Exclamation points!!!
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, wo
Jun 18 1 h 01 min
Alaska Comics Camp 2026
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
Jun 11 1 h 17 min
Hiring a Social Media Manager
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
Jun 4 1 h 12 min
Quiet on the set!
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 pl
May 28 1 h 00 min
Is the comic strip dead?
The newspaper comic strip didn't go extinct — it evolved. But if your work doesn't keep up, your career may be fossilized! From Reddit-ready square comics to vertical-scr
May 21 1 h 05 min
Chart trend
Position in the Visual Arts chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#94#186JulAugSepOct
#29
all-time peak
49
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Comic Lab ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 7, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
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!
Skiffymom · Aug 2025
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.
birdbohannon · Jul 2025
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 shut off the lights, but I just felt compelled to offer my unsolicited opinion.
Dan_G · May 2025
Comic Lab is by far the best podcast about cartooning and the business of cartooning. Brad and Dave discuss topics like optimizing your Patreon page, branding, overcoming writer's block, managing social media, self-publishing, and more. Their advice and insights are transferable to many creative endeavors, so even if you're not a cartoonist, you'll find plenty to take away from the show. But what truly sets Comic Lab apart is Brad and Dave's chemistry and humor—they’re often laugh-out-loud funny.
Even though I've been cartooning for nearly 30 years, I often come away from Comic Lab episodes having learned something new - or looking at a topic in a new way. I also get a lot of laughs and inspiration. Last year I became a Patreon supporter, and the Pro Tips episodes are just as helpful and hilarious as the regular show. Well worth the investment. So listen to Comic Lab and enjoy. If you love the show, join their Patreon for more great content.
Veteran Cartoonist · Dec 2024
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Comic Lab, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
