Episode notes
When 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.
Podcast
Comic Lab
Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett · Arts & Books · English
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
More from Comic Lab All episodes →
-
E460 · 8 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
How to Launch a Comics Studio
Should you launch a comic studio — or are you really talking about a comics collective, a shared workspace, or simply collaborating on a project? This week, Brad and Dave unpack what the word “studio” actually means and why adding another layer of branding might make your project harder, rather than easier, to promote. They discuss shared creative spaces, financial partnerships, anthology projects, comics collectives, and why most collaborations work better when everybody knows exactly what they’re signing up for.
-
E459 · 1 Oct 2026 · 1 hr
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?
-
E458 · 24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
How to Build Momentum
How do you build momentum as a cartoonist — and what happens when you lose it? Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett 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.
-
E456 · 10 Sep 2026 · 59 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!
-
E455 · 3 Sep 2026 · 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 Libenson, and Jamar Nicholas — three cartoonists with very different creative paths and a wealth of hard-earned advice to share.
-
E454 · 27 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
How to Succeed at San Diego Comic-Con
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 — and he's going to share his thoughts on how he made that happen.
-
E453 · 20 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 13 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 learning when not to chase the algorithm.
-
E452 · 13 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
The Worst Thing About Webcomics
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!
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
