It’s part of the comics lexicon familiar to manga and manhwa readers: an inverted word-balloon tail indicating that the speaker is off-panel. Should you use it in your comics?
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Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — go to https://comiclabshop.com and use the code COMICLAB5 to unlock an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid 4/6/2026 – 6/14/2026) The Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) is a really solid 21.5″ pen display with a crisp 2.5K screen and a smooth 90Hz refresh. It’s responsive, accurate, and just feels good to draw on — pro-level performance without the sticker shock.
On Today’s Show: Your comic is gaining traction — but now readers want answers faster than you can tell the story. Brad and Dave explain why that’s actually a great sign — and how to turn audience curiosity into a powerful engine that keeps readers hooked instead of overwhelming your narrative. PLUS — CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVE KELLETT FOR HIS HUGO AWARD NOMINATION!
TOPICS
A listener question leads into the episode’s central topic: what to do when a new project suddenly starts attracting attention and readers begin asking lore questions faster than the story can answer them. Brad and Dave frame this as the best possible problem for a storyteller to have — not a crisis, but proof that the story is working. Their advice is to resist the urge to dump exposition too early, and instead use reader curiosity as fuel to keep them engaged and coming back for more.
Another listener question asks how to make necessary exposition more entertaining in a history comic, and the hosts widen that into a general storytelling discussion. They explore how to handle “problem panels” — moments where important information must be conveyed, but the raw facts feel static or dull. Their answer is that exposition does not need to be delivered plainly: creators can change the point of view, alter the tone, insert found documents, frame facts through action, or even break into totally different storytelling modes if it makes the comic more engaging.
The episode also includes a couple of business updates for cartoonists. Brad shares good news about USPS fuel surcharges not applying to Media Mail, which matters for creators shipping books, while Dave warns that new tariffs may affect imported book shipments and advises cartoonists to build more buffer into Kickstarter budgets for 2026. It’s a practical reminder that making comics also means staying alert to the changing realities of fulfillment and production costs.
Last year, on ComicLab, Dave Kellett shared the real numbers from the Kickstarter campaign for his latest book, “Anatomy of Dinosaurs.” Some of those analytics reinforce long-held truths — for example, Kickstarter continues to dominate in using internal mechanisms to maximize backers through its platform. However, there was one big surprise: Bluesky outperformed Twitter, Instagram and Facebook in delivering pledges — by a jaw-dropping margin.
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Plotting and pacing are crucial elements in creating a compelling comic. Plotting is simply deciding which story points are essential to include in your narrative — and which ones can be omitted. Pacing is about determining the rate at which those plot points are delivered. If you go too slow, you’ll bore your readers to tears. If you go too fast, you’ll confuse them.
Here are some things to keep in mind that will help you master these aspects:
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Since the very beginning, the newspaper comic strip followed a simple, practical rule: three to four panels arranged in a horizontal row. That format wasn’t an artistic preference so much as a logistical necessity. Newspapers were designed in columns, and comics had to fit neatly into that grid. A long, horizontal strip made perfect sense when your canvas was a broadsheet page spread across a kitchen table.
But that world is gone.
Today, your reader isn’t holding newsprint. They’re holding a phone.
And that changes everything.
The content you are trying to access is only available to members.Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — go to https://bit.ly/41pXyI7 or https://comiclabshop.com and use the code COMICLAB5 to unlock an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid 4/6/2026 – 6/14/2026)
The Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) is the New 22″ Benchmark. A powerful yet accessible 21.5” pen display featuring a 2.5K QHD 90Hz screen, PenTech 4.0, and Canvas Glass 2.0. Designed for smooth, precise, and true-to-life creation, it redefines what an entry-level display can deliver — professional performance without the premium price.
The platforms we trusted to grow our audience have pulled the rug out from under us, and it’s time to take that control back. Brad and Dave explore how creators are reclaiming their power by ditching platform dependence, rebuilding direct connections through newsletters, webrings, and other community tools.
TODAY’S SHOW
If you’re like many of us, you’ve abandoned advertising long ago. But that space that used to be devoted to earning revenue hasn’t lost its value. It’s as important as ever!
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Today is the federal income tax deadline in the United States. But … what if you owe money and can’t pay? Don’t make a bad situation worse. This could end very badly if you mishandle it.
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Creators are drowning in platforms—Substack, Patreon, Webtoon, Tapas, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Threads, YouTube Shorts, Tumblr (yes, it’s back again), their own sites, AND mirrored archives.
Do you actually need to post your comic everywhere? Or is that a recipe for burnout and diluted results?
Let’s discuss how to choose the right platforms instead of all platforms.
The content you are trying to access is only available to members.Today’s show is sponsored by Huion, makers of the Huion Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) — go to https://bit.ly/41pXyI7 or https://comiclabshop.com and use the code COMICLAB5 to unlock an exclusive 5% discount! (Valid 4/6/2026 – 6/14/2026)
The Kamvas 22 (Gen 3) is the New 22″ Benchmark. A powerful yet accessible 21.5” pen display featuring a 2.5K QHD 90Hz screen, PenTech 4.0, and Canvas Glass 2.0. Designed for smooth, precise, and true-to-life creation, it redefines what an entry-level display can deliver — professional performance without the premium price.
TODAY’S SHOW
Splash Pages
Brad and Dave take a deep dive into splash pages — what they are, how they’ve traditionally been used, and how they function differently in print versus webcomics. They discuss classic first-page splash images as attention-grabbing devices, as well as the practical reality that they can help creators hit deadlines. Dave shares how he uses splash pages sparingly in Drive to give big moments room to breathe, while Brad explains how he uses them consistently at the start of chapters in Evil Inc, both as storytelling tools and promotional assets. The conversation also explores why two-page splash spreads can struggle online — especially on mobile — and reinforces a key principle: a graphic novel page is not the same as a webcomic update, and each must be designed with its medium in mind.
ComicLab Confab (Listener Calls)
The guys remind listeners about the ComicLab Confab — their voicemail line where creators can call in with questions, comments, or hot takes. It’s an easy, low-pressure way for the community to participate in the show and potentially have their thoughts featured on-air. If you’ve got something to say about comics, business, or creative life, you can dial (609) 379-3520 — that’s (609) DRY-ELB-0.
National Cartoonists Society — Columbus, Ohio
Brad and Dave highlight the upcoming National Cartoonists Society event in Columbus, Ohio (Aug. 6–8), encouraging cartoonists to attend. They emphasize the value of in-person networking, camaraderie, and professional development that comes from gathering with other working cartoonists — something that can be hard to replicate online. https://nationalcartoonists.com/registration-now-open-80th-reuben-awards-ncs-conference/
USPS Fuel Surcharge Update
A practical business note: the USPS fuel surcharge goes into effect April 26 and is expected to run (possibly) through January 17, 2027. This will impact many shipping rates for creators who sell physical goods, though Media Mail remains unaffected. For cartoonists running Kickstarters, online stores, or Patreon rewards, this is a reminder to factor rising shipping costs into pricing and planning. https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0325-usps-announces-transportation-related-time-limited-price-change.htm
Editorial Cartoonists on Social Media
The conversation touches on how editorial cartoonists are navigating social media — including the challenges of visibility, audience building, and platform changes. Brad and Dave reflect on how shifting algorithms and audience behavior can affect political and commentary-based comics, and what that means for creators trying to get their work seen.
What’s the Deal with Susan MacTaggart?
In a classic ComicLab aside, Brad and Dave riff on the mysterious (and confusing) name “Susan MacTaggart,” using it as an example of how something presented without context can create intrigue — or just bewilderment. It ties back humorously to their broader discussions about clarity, audience expectations, and grabbing attention.
Introducing Dr. Reginald Wigglesby
The episode also features the introduction of Dr. Reginald Wigglesby — a comedic bit that adds to the show’s ongoing tradition of playful world-building and running gags. It’s a reminder that even in a craft-focused podcast, humor and character bits are part of what makes ComicLab feel like hanging out with friends.
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