Comic Lab Podcast

Now that comic creators are returning to websites, SEO (search engine optimization) is once again a hot topic. We'll talk about methods to help search engines index comics. Also, if Brad and Dave were to design a four-year degree for cartoonists, what classes would be on the curriculum?

Today's show

• SEO for webcomics
• Should you use alt text on social media posts?
• Susan MacTaggart's personal affirmation
• UPDATE: Comiclab Live stage show at the NCS conference, Aug. 14-16
• UPDATE: Apple loses its 30% cash grab
• UPDATE: Superfan Ray Michels does it again
• What would Dave and Brad's comics BFA degree include?

Summary

In this episode, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the importance of SEO for comic creators, particularly in 2025, highlighting best practices for optimizing webcomics. The episode concludes with practical tips for improving website performance and audience engagement through effective content strategies. In the mid-show updates, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar promote their upcoming ComicLab LIVE stage show at the NCS convention in August, examine the implications of Apple's recent court loss, and thank superfan Ray Michaels for updating Dave Kellett's Wikipedia page.

In the second half, they explore what an ideal art degree for cartoonists might look like, emphasizing the balance between craft and business education. They discuss the ideal curriculum for aspiring comic artists, focusing on creative writing, business skills, art techniques, and the importance of real-world experience. They explore various classes that would benefit students, including humor writing, long-form storytelling, digital tools, and color theory. The discussion emphasizes the need for a well-rounded education that combines artistic skills with practical knowledge to prepare students for a successful career in comics.

Takeaways

• SEO is crucial for comic creators to reach their audience.
• Transcripts can enhance SEO and accessibility for comics.
• Alt text is essential for improving search engine visibility.
• Optimizing image metadata can boost website performance.
• Creating a 'Start Here' page can guide new readers effectively.
• Regularly updating meta descriptions can improve SEO rankings.
• Engaging with your audience through alt text can enhance their experience.
• Content creation should be efficient and serve multiple purposes.
• SEO tactics can often be misleading and should be approached with caution.
• Linking to other webcomics can create a supportive community.
• Quality content is more important than SEO for attracting readers.
• Personal affirmations can provide motivation and encouragement.
• Events like the Reuben weekend are valuable for networking in the comic community.
• Recent legal victories can benefit creators financially on platforms like Patreon.
• Understanding analytics is crucial for independent artists.
• Business courses should be a core part of an art degree for cartoonists.
• Branding and legal knowledge are essential for success in the comic industry.
• Grant writing can be a valuable skill for artists seeking funding.
• A creative writing class specifically for comics is essential.
• Rhetoric and composition should be included in the curriculum.
• Understanding humor is crucial for all writers, not just humorists.
• Long-form storytelling should be taught with a focus on serialization.
• Art classes should cover visual storytelling and mark-making techniques.
• A history of mixed media communication is important for understanding comics.
• Digital tools and their applications should be part of the curriculum.
• Color theory and management are vital for storytelling in comics.
• Internships provide valuable real-world experience for students.
• A well-rounded curriculum should balance art, writing, and business skills.

Brad's Comics BFA

This is Brad Guigar's wishlist for a full 4-year BFA-style degree for comics creators, assuming a 120-credit hour program, broken down into approximately 40 classes (3 credits each). Ive grouped them by category and semester.

YEAR 1 Foundation

Fall Semester

Intro to Visual Storytelling (Art)

Creative Writing for Comics I (Writing)

Foundations of Marketing (Business)

Composition & Rhetoric (Gen Ed)

Digital Tools for Creatives (Art/Tech)

Spring Semester

Drawing for Sequential Art (Art)

Creative Writing for Comics II (Writing)

Entrepreneurship 101 (Business)

Intro to Media Studies (Gen Ed)

Social Media Strategy (Business)

YEAR 2 Skill Building

Fall Semester

Narrative Structure & Pacing (Writing)

Lettering & Typography (Art)

Branding for Creators (Business)

Art History for Comic Artists (Gen Ed/Art History)

Accounting & Taxes for Freelancers (Business)

Spring Semester

Panel Layout & Visual Flow (Art)

Character Development & Dialogue (Writing)

Marketing Campaigns & Analytics (Business)

Legal Issues in Creative Careers (Business)

Psychology of Storytelling (Writing/Gen Ed)

YEAR 3 Integration & Professional Prep

Fall Semester

Writing humor (Writing)

Coloring (Art)

Crowdfunding & Direct Sales (Business)

The Comic Industry: History & Trends (Gen Ed/Art History)

Pitching & Proposal Writing (Business/Writing)

Spring Semester

Advanced Sequential Storytelling (Art)

Long-Form Storytelling & Serialization (Writing)

Client & Commission Work (Business)

Internship or Industry Mentorship (Business)

Elective: Animation, Game Art, or Podcasting

YEAR 4 Capstone & Launch

Fall Semester

Capstone Project Planning (Writing/Art)

Publishing & Distribution Models (Business)

Teaching & Workshops for Creators (Business)

Grant Writing & Residencies (Business/Writing)

Elective: Zines, Erotic Comics, or Experimental Forms

Spring Semester

Capstone Execution & Exhibition (Writing/Art)

Webcomic Design & User Experience (Art/Tech)

Pre-Press (Art/Tech)

Collaborative Studio Project (All)

Exit Interview & Career Planning (Business)

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. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. The first step in owning and controlling your own work is creating a website, and Brad and Dave have relied on Dreamhost for years. Check out Dreamhost.com/comiclab to find out how you can lock in a rate of $2.59/month for three years!

Every beginning cartoonist agonizes over drawing eyes! Why is that — and while we're at it, what's the right way to do it? Next, we'll talk about why we hate anthologies, and answer a listener who suspects his webhost is throttling his traffic.

Today's show

• How to draw eyes
• Susan MacTaggart's personal affirmation
• Dreamhost
• Anthologies
• "Is my host blocking my traffic??"

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the nuances of cartooning, focusing on the art of drawing eyes and the importance of expressiveness in comics. They share personal anecdotes, discuss the evolution of their styles, and provide valuable insights for aspiring cartoonists. The discussion highlights the balance between maintaining a unique style and adapting to the needs of storytelling, emphasizing that style often emerges from solving artistic challenges over time. In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore various aspects of comic art, including the importance of flexibility in artistic style, the significance of character-specific design choices, and the challenges associated with comic anthologies. They emphasize the need for experimentation in developing a unique style and the forgiving nature of comics as a medium. The discussion also touches on personal affirmations, sponsorships, and the humorous dynamics between the hosts. In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett delve into the complexities of anthologies in the comic industry, discussing the dynamics of collaboration, the challenges faced by creators, and the reader's perspective on anthologies. They also touch on the importance of portfolio sites and the misconceptions surrounding web traffic and SEO. The discussion highlights the frustrations and joys of comic creation, emphasizing the need for professionalism and the impact of collaboration on the final product.

Takeaways

• The way eyes are drawn can significantly impact a character's expressiveness.
• Cartoonists often obsess over how to draw eyes more than other features.
• Style in cartooning is often discovered in hindsight, not planned.
• Using simple eye representations can be effective in storytelling.
• Different expressions can be conveyed through variations in eye design.
• It's important to adapt eye styles based on the emotional context of the scene.
• The dot is a versatile starting point for drawing eyes in comics.
• Cartooning styles can evolve significantly over time.  Comics allow for flexibility and experimentation in art.
• Don't lock yourself into a specific style too early.
• Your artistic style will evolve over time.
• Character design should reflect the moment and emotion.
• Comics can be forgiving in terms of artistic rules.
• Anthologies can be challenging due to varying contributor commitment.
• It's important to find what works best for your characters.
• Trust your instincts and do what looks best in the moment. Anthologies often succeed when creators are in a specific career stage.
• The dynamics of collaboration can lead to frustration in anthologies.
• Reader experiences with anthologies can vary widely.
• Portfolio sites serve a different purpose than high-traffic sites.
• SEO may not be the primary issue for low traffic on portfolio sites.
• Social media can drive traffic to portfolio sites effectively.
• The quality of contributions in anthologies can greatly affect the overall product.
• Professionalism and deadlines are crucial in collaborative projects.
• The importance of having a clear theme in anthologies is often overlooked.
• Creatives should focus on their own work rather than anthologies.

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. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost. The first step in owning and controlling your own work is creating a website, and Brad and Dave have relied on Dreamhost for years. Check out Dreamhost.com/comiclab to find out how you can lock in a rate of $2.59/month for three years!

Your social media profile needs to answer three questions clearly: Who are you? What do you do? And why should I care? If you're wasting time being cute, you're missing out of opportunities. Also, the NCS releases the nominees for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year, and a person hired to illustrate a children's book faces a tough question from the writer: How do we sell this thing??

Today's Show

• Branding on your social media profile
• Susan MacTaggart
• Show sponsor: Dreamhost dreamhost.com/comiclab
• UPDATE: NCS Outstanding Cartoonist nominations
• We made the book... now what?"
• Have we ever considered not doing free content?

Summary

In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the importance of branding for cartoonists on social media, emphasizing the need for clear communication in profiles. The conversation wraps up with insights on navigating new platforms like Bluesky and the importance of straightforward messaging in promoting one's work. They discuss the evolving nature of social media presence, and the value of reliable hosting services like DreamHost. They also engage in a light-hearted personal affirmation segment and provide updates from the National Cartoonist Society. The conversation culminates in practical advice for illustrators on how to sell their work, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's role in the creative process. In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the importance of branding in book promotion, the exploration of new intellectual properties (IP) for original graphic novels, and the value of audience engagement and product testing in the creative process. They also touch on the resurgence of physical media in a digital age, emphasizing that quality content will always find an audience.

Takeaways

• Branding is crucial for self-publishing cartoonists.
• Social media profiles should clearly state who you are.
• Consistency is more important than creativity on social media.
• Cartoonists often struggle with self-promotion due to imposter syndrome.
• Blue Sky may not have the same algorithmic restrictions as other platforms.
• Direct communication is key in branding and marketing.
• It's okay to promote your work without feeling like you're bragging. Put some of the creative thought into solving business problems.
• This change is 100% not permanent.
• You can change it tomorrow.
• We're big fans of DreamHost.
• This is the perfect opportunity for you.
• A 97-day money back guarantee.
• You are a limitless well of creativity.
• This is not your job, Jay.
• You should run as far away from him as you can.
• Your job is to use the book to promote Jay. Your job is to use the book to promote your next gig.
• Selling books, marketing books, promoting books, that's not Jay's brand.
• The responsibility of selling this book is not your job.
• This is a time management issue.
• You can use this to get to the next stage in your career.
• We have both done this with IP that the world has never seen.
• You'd better have previews and sample images that look incredible.
• People will absolutely buy that thing because they know it's good.
• People will buy your book. Absolutely.
• You can absolutely make that work.

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. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Cartoonist Scott C joins us to discuss his artistic journey. He discusses his beginnings, including art directing Psychonauts and Brutal Legend for Double Fine Productions, as well as his first webcomic, Double Fine Action Comics. He shares valuable insights on working with watercolors and creating graphic novels for younger readers. His paintings are currently on display at Spoke Art in New York.

Scott C

• Website
• Preorder Scott's new book, Cabin Head and Tree Head!
• Great Showdowns
• Double Fine Action Comics
• Spoke Art
• YouTube
• Twitch
• Instagram

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar interview Scott Campbell, a renowned artist and illustrator, exploring his journey from childhood art aspirations to his significant role in game development. The discussion covers Scott's early influences, his transition into the gaming industry, and the challenges of art direction, particularly in collaborative environments. Scott shares insights on navigating feedback and the creative process, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust in artistic collaborations. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of feedback in creative work, the joy of artistic expression, and the unique challenges of working with watercolor. They explore the importance of maintaining a childlike joy in art, the fluidity and spontaneity of watercolor painting, and the intricacies of editing in this medium. Additionally, they discuss the gallery experience, sharing insights on how to navigate art shows and the excitement of showcasing work internationally. In this engaging conversation, they discuss various aspects of the art world, including the joy of community engagement through art shows, the unique experiences at Comic-Con, and the delightful nature of librarians at ALA. They delve into Scott's artistic style, exploring how it has evolved over the years and the balance between simplicity and capturing likeness in art. The discussion culminates in a reflection on the magic of artistic interpretation and the feelings conveyed through art.

Takeaways

• Scott C's artwork was first discovered by Dave at Neil Patrick Harris's house.
• Scott was encouraged by his creative mother from a young age.
• He aspired to draw comics, particularly X-Men, during his teenage years.
• Neil Adams provided Scott with a pivotal moment of encouragement at a convention.
• Scott transitioned from art directing games to pursuing his own artistic projects.
• He found his first job at Lucas Learning, working on Star Wars games.
• Art directing Psychonauts was a challenging yet rewarding experience for Scott.
• Feedback in creative processes is essential for growth and improvement.
• Scott enjoys the editing process and values constructive criticism.
• Collaboration in art requires clear communication and understanding. Feedback in creative work can be challenging and frustrating.
• Finding joy in the artistic process is essential for fulfillment.
• Watercolor allows for a fluid and spontaneous approach to art.
• Editing in watercolor requires a different mindset than other mediums.
• Art shows provide a unique opportunity to connect with fans and fellow artists.
• Creating art should be a joyful experience, reminiscent of childhood.
• The gallery experience can be both exhausting and rewarding.
• Networking within the art community can lead to exciting opportunities.
• Art can serve as a means of escape and joy for both the creator and the audience.
• A retrospective show can encapsulate years of artistic growth and exploration. Art shows foster community engagement and joy.
• Comic-Con is a cherished experience for artists.
• Librarians at ALA are incredibly supportive and enthusiastic.
• Artistic style evolves with age and experience.
• Simplicity in art can enhance the viewer's connection.
• Confidence in one's artistic abilities grows over time.
• The process of creating art often involves trial and error.
• Artistic interpretation can capture feelings beyond physical likeness.
• The balance of detail and simplicity is crucial in art.
• Art is a game of capturing essence rather than perfection.

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. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.

Is it OK to change your comic after you've already sent it to your audience? The guys also tackle tariffs, ISBNs, bar codes, and offering comics to charity organizations.

Today's show

• Making a change to a comic after it's "out there"
• Susan MacTaggart's personal affirmation
• UPDATE: Tariffs on books??
• ISBNs and bar codes for self-published books
• Comics for Charity

Summary

In this conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the nuances of humor writing, the importance of building an audience on new platforms, and the challenges of editing long-form comics. They discuss the creative process, social-media presence's significance, and tariffs' implications on publishing. The dialogue emphasizes the need for flexibility in creative work and the importance of adapting to changes in the industry. In the mid-show update, they discuss the complexities of navigating tariffs and customs in the publishing industry, particularly for self-publishers. They emphasize the importance of planning for potential costs, such as tariffs, when launching Kickstarter campaigns. The conversation then shifts to the necessity of ISBNs and barcodes for self-published works, highlighting their role in making books trackable and sellable. Finally, they explore how cartoonists can contribute to charitable causes through their work, encouraging creators to produce comics that align with their values and to share them independently without burdening charities.

Takeaways

• You never know if your humor resonates until years later.
• Building an audience on new platforms is crucial.
• Reflecting on past work can reveal unexpected humor.
• Editing is a natural part of the creative process.
• Mistakes can be corrected easily before print.
• Social media can serve as a distributed editing tool.
• It's important to be happy with your work in the long run.
• Tariffs can impact the publishing industry significantly.
• Trust in the system can be a challenge for creators.
• Engaging with attentive fans can create strong connections.
• Assume the worst when planning for tariffs in publishing.
• Include potential tariffs in your Kickstarter budget.
• ISBNs and barcodes are essential for self-published books.
• ISBNs help track books in the international registry.
• Barcodes are necessary for selling through retailers.
• Charities may not need unsolicited comics due to their workload.
• Creators can impact causes without direct charity involvement.
• Comics can be a powerful tool for social change.
• Plan independently to avoid complications with charities.
• Charities are skilled at asking for the resources they need.

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. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive.