Month: December 2024

Now through Monday! Give scifi-loving pals the joy of DRIVE — and save that sweet, sweet moolah when you do!

Oh! There’s also a $50-off sale on all my SHELDON original art! Just navigate to your favorite comic in the archives, scroll directly below it, and click “BUY TODAY’S ORIGINAL ART”!

When you buy Acts 1 & 2 hardcovers, we throw in Act 3, FREE! Here’s the link! https://sheldonstore.com/collections/sale/products/buy-drive-act-1-2-get-act-3-hardcovers (NOTE: This 3-pack will ship via Priority Mail, to arrive at US destinations for Christmas.)

Also! Are you missing a DRIVE book? Did your pet chew one to high heaven? BOY HOWDY ARE YOU IN LUCK! It’s a sale on unwrapped and/or super-lightly-dinged DRIVE books. They’re 50%-off! Here’s the direct link for all that: https://sheldonstore.com/collections/sale (NOTE: These dinged books will ship via Media Mail, and will not arrive at US destinations for Christmas.)

Pals! Every week my cartooning pal Brad Guigar and I fire up the mics to talk about comics. It’s half shop talk, half how-to, and half friendship. That’s right: WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It’s tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro!

And here’s a summary of this week’s show, which just went live! 

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LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/in-over-my-head-116117374

TITLE: In over my head

What happens when your story gets too big for you to handle? Are you the right person for the job? (And if not you, then who??)

On Today’s Show:

• In over your head
• UPDATE: It was FCS all along
•  Crossbar-I technicality
• Advice to your older self

Summary

In this episode, the hosts discuss the challenges creators face, particularly when tackling complex themes such as systemic injustice in long-term comic projects. The hosts emphasize the importance of pushing through creative doubts and the value of learning from mistakes in the writing process. In this conversation, they explore the complexities of creativity, mainly focusing on the challenges creators face after a hiatus. They discuss the importance of embracing imperfection, the role of confidence in storytelling, and the value of completing projects. The dialogue emphasizes that it’s normal to feel doubt and that taking breaks can be beneficial. Ultimately, they encourage creators to follow their instincts and permit themselves to explore new directions in their work.

In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett revisit a previous discussion about the frequency of comic updates, introducing the concept of FCS (Frequent, Consistent, Significant) as a guiding principle for creators. They delve into the nuances of typography in comics, particularly the use of the crossbar I, and emphasize the importance of clarity in communication. The conversation takes a philosophical turn as they explore what advice they would give to their future selves, reflecting on the nature of change and the importance of embracing it as artists. In this episode, the hosts explore the themes of establishment in the cartooning world, the importance of embracing change, and the value of taking risks. They reflect on the advice they would give to their younger selves, emphasizing the need to cultivate joy and not let life’s challenges steal it away. The conversation also touches on the cyclical nature of life experiences and the lessons learned from past regrets.

Pals! Every week my cartooning pal Brad Guigar and I fire up the mics to talk about comics. It’s half shop talk, half how-to, and half friendship. That’s right: WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It’s tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro!

And here’s a summary of this week’s show, which just went live! 

———

LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/minor-problem-117033293

TITLE: A minor problem with a comic major

Does an aspiring comics artist/writer need a college degree? And, if so, which degree is best? Next, a listener asks why Brad publishes his weekly comics page in half-page increments.

• What schools do we recommend?
• Why does Brad publish twice a week?
• Substack and Bluesky

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the importance of higher education for aspiring cartoonists, debating the merits of specialized degrees versus a broader liberal arts education. They emphasize the significance of writing in comics, the value of community colleges, and the necessity for aspiring artists to actively create comics during their education. The episode concludes with a discussion on the optimal update frequency for comic creators, highlighting the balance between reader engagement and creative output. In this conversation, Brad Guigar and his co-host discuss the nuances of storytelling in comics, emphasizing the importance of finding a ‘sweet spot’ in panel structure and update frequency. They explore the challenges of conveying narratives in short formats, particularly in the context of webcomics, and the need to adapt to new platforms and formats for compelling storytelling. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of comic publishing, including the potential of platforms like Substack and Bluesky.