Brad thinks Kickstarter is the right place to go for a Brazilian cartoonist who wants to have his work re-published in English, but Dave thinks his co-host is Lost in Translation. Then, the dynamic duo gives some advice to a pro-am cartoonist who just lost their day job and is considering making the move to full-time cartooning. But first, Brad and Dave share some comic convention horror stories.

While you're stuck trying to find the RIGHT way to start your comic, someone else is starting a comic THEIR way. That's because the only RIGHT way to start a comic is the WRONG way. Confused? We'll explain. Also — storytelling without conflict? Kishōtenketsu is a story structure that emphasizes contrast over conflict.

Chuck Dillon joins us this week to talk about his work for Highlights magazine, designing the Costco Monopoly board, and his delightful children's books like The Bravest Booger and the Most Serious Fart.

A listener asks if there are any comics that the comics dads think are essential reading for being a comic creator. They sure do... and it's not what you'd expect!

As Brad Guigar prepares to launch his new Kickstarter at newevilbook.com, he tells co-host Dave Kellett that he's decided to eliminate all international shipping except for Canada! Between VAT taxes, new regulations, tariffs, and other uncertainties, he's decided it's just too risky. But first, a listener wrestles with his new role as a comics publisher. Is he helping out some friends, or is he a greedy capitalist?

Many singers do a key change in the middle of a song to indicate drama. Dave Kellett is so good, he does it right in the middle of a word! Brad and Dave learn far too much about each other while sharing a hotel room at the National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards. Dave and Brad return from Boston brimming with stories from a week of cartooning camaraderie and community.

Cartoonists Jason Chatfield, Sean Wang, and Cassidy Wasserman join Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar on stage for a LIVE recording of ComicLab. They'll talk about what's working — and what's not — in the business of comics.

After discussing the best lettering techniques for shouts and whispers, Brad and Dave talk about plateaus. Is it possible to plateau for too long? Can they actually be beneficial? PLUS... Dave shares his experience after the first week of taking the ComicLab Social Media Challenge. This may be the best time-management tool yet!

Today's show is brought to you by Dreamhost! It's the first step in owning and controlling your own work. Check out the special offers at dreamhost.com/comiclab. Once again, Dave Kellett returns from Comic-Con International with a full report featuring actual numbers from his time spent exhibiting at his booth. He'll share what worked, what didn't, and what he has planned for next year. Next, it's the COMICLAB SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE! After Brad challenges Dave to remove the social-media apps from his phone and charge the phone on the other side of the room at bedtime, the guys decide to make this a group experiment. Do YOU accept the challenge?

This episode is sponsored by Dreamhost — your first step in owning and controlling your own work! Visit them at https://www.dreamhost.com/comiclab . This week, Brad and Dave are joined by Greg and Karen Evans, who are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their syndicated comic strip, Luann. Karen — then, a toddler — was the inspiration for the strip when Greg launched it in 1985. Twenty-seven years later, Karen joined her father to co-write the comic. They'll discuss that journey, their collaborative process, the importance of reader interaction, and more. You can find out more about Luann at https://luannfan.com

Today, YOU are the star of the show. We asked ComicLab listeners to help us celebrate our 400th episode by calling in with favorite memories from our seven years of podcasting. And — WOW! — did you ever deliver! Today's show will put a smile on your face for the rest of the day.

This week's show is brought to you by Dreamhost — your first step in owning and controlling your own work. This week, the fellas wonder what it would be like to win the lottery. Then, Brad shares stories from the American Library Association conference in Philadelphia. Finally, Brad and Dave explain why placing white text on a black background can cause eye fatigue.

Today, a listener asks how he can develop an art style as quickly as possible! Your Humble Hosts have some very bad news for him. Next, a cartoonist asks whether it's a good idea to start a second social-media account to share personal views.

How do you stop polishing and start publishing? Our strategies for overcoming perfectionism! Also — Dave has a little good news about the tariffs on imported books.

Today's show is sponsored by Dreamhost! Are you a shameless self-promoter? Brad thinks a little bit of shame might be a good thing. Also — how do you find good comics?

What do you do when someone you looked up to turns out to be a jerk? Also, over a hundred years of comics history reveal a great deal about the importance of artists understanding business.

While Dave was at Alaska Comics Camp, he had the opportunity to talk with Ryan North Gillian Goerz!

While at Alaska Comic Camp, Dave Kellett had the opportunity to speak with cartoonist Lucy Knisley, a critically acclaimed and award-winning comic creator. She specializes in personal, confessional graphic novels and travelogues.

While Dave Kellett was at Alaska Comics Camp, he had the opportunity to speak with Jarad Greene, a cartoonist who works on staff at The Center for Cartoon Studies. He is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels A-Okay, A for Effort, and Scullion: A Dishwasher’s Guide to Mistaken Identity. He talked with Dave about the joys of learning to use a brush for inking.

Dave Kellet returns from Alaska Comics Camp once more rejuvinated, recharged, and reinvigorated! He shares his joy-filled experiences from a week in Juno, Alaska, with about 60 other cartoonists sharing knowledge, friendship, and happiness. In the second half, a cartoonist shares her feelings of depression after losing a couple of cartooning contests.