Gang, there are now FOUR episodes of our new drawing-&-friendship show, *THE WRONG WAY*! Check out the new ep where we try to draw SHREK…the wrong way!

On Bluesky: @wrongwayshow.com, @bradguigar.com, @kevinmcshane.org. and me @davekellett

All Episodes: wrongwayshow.com

I just put this original art up on ebay starting at just one penny! For a fish by any other name would smell just as…sweet?

Go take a look: https://www.ebay.com/itm/297333591097

I just put up this piece of original art on ebay starting at just one penny! Everybody loves Nosh and Nosh loves everybody (except Tesskans maybe…).

Go check it out: https://www.ebay.com/itm/297333573655

I just put up this piece of original art on ebay starting at just one penny! Everybody loves Nosh and Nosh loves everybody (except Tesskans maybe…).

Go check it out: https://www.ebay.com/itm/297333573655

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2021! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

Friends! I’ve just put up this original art on ebay – using a pretty cool stippling pen. Don’t miss out on this one, cuz there will never be another – that thing takes FOREVER. But it turned out cool! This is an homage to the very first New Yorker magazine cover!

Go snag it! https://www.ebay.com/itm/297282999425

Drive Pals! The next episode of THE WRONG WAY is up! And this time, we tackle my pal Jim Davis’ orange furball…GARFIELD! I love how my (incorrect) version came out — I hope you’ll check it out. These shows are so fun to make. And so far….no lawsuit from Jim! So it’s a win-win episode! 🙂

And if you missed them, here’s the first two episodes:

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzfGkZEDtPA
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74IPbDRRrkA

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/f-me-that-worked-120751701

TITLE: “F*** me! That actually worked!”

This week’s episode is sponsored by Hogan’s Alley magazine! We’ll discuss those moments in our careers when we said, “F*** me! That actually worked!” Also, a listener writes in to say that they want to take our advice and make the jump to Bluesky, but it causes too much anxiety.

Sponsor

Hogan’s Alley magazine sponsors this week’s episode!  In the next issue, they’ll cover the Tijuana Bibles and much more! Get your copy now!

Today’s Show

• Hogan’s Alley magazine
• “F*** me! That actually worked!”
• UPDATE: Diamond Comics Distributors
• UPDATE: The Wrong Way
• “Bluesky stresses me out!”

Summary

In this episode, Dave and Brad are pleased to welcome the sponsorship of Hogan’s Alley Magazine! The conversation starts with a discussion about unexpected successes in the comics industry, sharing personal anecdotes and insights on what works in webcomics and the importance of niche topics. In this conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad discuss their evolving experiences with monetization in the comic industry, reflecting on their initial skepticism towards various platforms like T-shirts, advertising, and crowdfunding. They share personal anecdotes about their misjudgments regarding new technologies and trends, emphasizing the importance of humility and adaptability in their careers. Two mid-show updates touch on the recent bankruptcy of Diamond Comics Distributors and their new show, The Wrong Way. In this conversation, Brad and Dave discuss the challenges and anxieties surrounding social media for artists, particularly in building an online presence while focusing on their craft. They explore the importance of self-promotion, the consequences of delaying engagement with social media, and the potential of new platforms like Blue Sky. The discussion emphasizes the need for artists to balance their creative work with the realities of marketing and audience building while addressing the mental health aspects of sharing their work online.

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/business-advice-120267872

TITLE: Business Advice: Embrace Discomfort

We’re heading into a year promising significant upheaval in business, social media, publishing, and more. But after twenty-five years of self-publishing, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar have learned an important lesson: Discomfort is crucial to growing as an artist and as a businessperson.

Today’s show

• Embrace discomfort
• Listifications on Bluesky —  https://bsky.app/profile/listifications.app

Summary

In this conversation, cartoonists Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the importance of discomfort in personal and artistic growth, emphasizing that taking risks is essential for creativity. The duo reflects on their experiences in the comic industry, discussing the challenges of adapting to change and the innovator’s dilemma faced by established artists. They conclude with insights on the necessity of continuous learning and adaptation in a rapidly evolving landscape. In this conversation, Dave and Brad discuss the challenges and opportunities of innovation in creative careers, emphasizing the importance of embracing discomfort and taking risks. They explore various strategies for creative growth, including collaboration and mentorship, and share insights on navigating social media dynamics, particularly with new platforms like Blue Sky. The discussion highlights the significance of being proactive in one’s career and the emotional complexities of online interactions.

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/how-to-start-in-119777237

TITLE: How to start a webcomic in 2025

Start your webcomic using the latest platforms, monetization methods, and social media strategies. If you’re launching a new comic in 2025, this episode has all the information you’ll need to get it off the ground! 

How to start a webcomic in 2025

• Don’t try to “game” your readership. Write about what YOU like
• Building readership takes time and consistency. Creating for love is essential in the early years. 
• Focus on writing as the core of comic creation. Focus on creating comics for the love of the craft. The first comics may only be seen by you; embrace the process.
• Mistakes in the early stages are recoverable.
• Copyright
• Own and control your work
• You do NOT need to be on Webtoon/Tapas
• Social media presence is important for comic creators. Today, that’s Bluesky and Substack. ComicLab has Collections that provide strategies for each platform. They’re free to members and available at a one-time fee for others.
• Be active on social media to build your audience. Four Cs
• How many updates FCS
• Persistence is key; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If you need a schedule to post regularly, set a schedule and stick to it. 
• Don’t rush into monetization; it takes time to build a following. Starting on Patreon or Kickstarter too soon is a common problem that derails a lot of creators.
• Develop your aesthetic by studying good comics.
• You don’t need a website immediately, but you’ll need one eventually. Start planning now.
• Seek honest feedback to improve your work.
• Reach out to other comics creators who are doing stuff that’s similar to yours and build networks.
• Do it for love

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the importance of passion in creating comics, the challenges of building a readership, and the necessity of starting your comic journey despite fears and anxieties. The conversation emphasizes the value of maintaining independence as creators and finding an audience that resonates with your unique themes rather than chasing trends. They address the challenges and strategies for comic artists navigating social media. They emphasize the importance of choosing the right platforms, such as Bluesky and Substack, over TikTok for comic promotion. The hosts introduce the ‘Four C’s’ of social media—Content, Curation, Commercial, and Kindness—as essential for building an audience. They also share acronyms like SWIG and FCS to guide effective promotion and posting frequency. The conversation concludes with a reminder that building a successful comic takes time and persistence, likening it to a marathon rather than a sprint. They emphasize the importance of focusing on the craft before monetization, developing a unique aesthetic, and the necessity of having a personal website. The hosts also highlight the value of networking, seeking feedback from peers in the comic community, and navigating the evolving landscape of social media and comic publishing.