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

• Dave Kellett has been nominated for a Hugo Award
• How much to share with an eager audience
• ComicLab Confab (609) DRY-ELB-0
• Update: USPS fuel surcharge will *not* affect Media Mail prices
• New tariff worries
• NCS conference and Reuben Awards Aug. 6-8, Columbus, Ohio
• Different ways to present a scene

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.