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.

Chuck Dillon

• Website
• Buy Chuck’s books and original art
• Bored Panda
• The Bravest Booger
• The Most Serious Fart
• Costco Monopoly

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Chuck Dillon, a talented cartoonist and illustrator, shares his journey from early inspirations to his successful career in children’s book illustration. He discusses the challenges of client feedback, the importance of teaching in his artistic growth, and how boredom can spark creativity. Dillon also reflects on his notable projects, including the Costco Monopoly board and his children’s books, The Bravest Booger and The Most Serious Fart. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes the significance of perspective in art and the joy of collaboration, culminating in a heartfelt acknowledgment of the recognition he has received from his peers.

Cartoonists continue to use newsletters to leverage their audience-building potential, and they struggle with the same question: What should I write in my newsletter? To make this easier, I’ve delineated three basic types of newsletter posts — each with its role in generating new readers for your comic.

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!

Today’s show

• Romance novels
• “Must-Read” Comics List

Summary

Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore the value of romance novels in storytelling, contrasting their narrative preferences. Brad advocates for the insights gained from romance, while Dave expresses a preference for macro stories over micro narratives. Next, a listener asks if there are any comics that the comics dads think are essential reading for being a comic creator.

This conversation delves into the evolution of comic storytelling, exploring influential works and characters that have shaped the medium. The speakers discuss the importance of understanding tropes, the impact of classic comics, and the significance of personal taste in appreciating the art form. They also touch on modern webcomics and the challenges of concluding long-running series, highlighting the diverse narratives and styles that continue to emerge in the comic world.

It’s pretty easy to see the influence of manga on comics being produced today. Scrolling through Webtoons, it’s obvious that an entire generation of young comic creators cut their teeth on comics originally made in Japan. In general, that’s tremendous! The creativity, the kinetic energy, the jaw-dropping art — it’s all worthy of emulation. But when it comes to word balloons, something’s getting lost in the translation.

As he prepares to launch his new Kickstarter at newevilbook.com, Brad Guigar 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?

Today’s show

• Becoming a comics publisher
• Is it important to have an art style?
• Overseas shipping

Summary

In this episode, cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett discuss the intricacies of comic publishing and the importance of ownership in the comic industry. They delve into the ethical considerations of being a publisher, the necessity of clear contracts, and the financial math behind comic sales. The conversation also touches on the significance of developing a personal art style. The comics uncles delve into the intricacies of drawing and artistic styles. To close out the show, the fellas talk about the challenges of international shipping for comic creators. They explore the evolution of personal style in art, the inevitability of developing a unique style, and the complexities of managing multiple styles. The conversation also addresses the current issues surrounding international shipping and tariffs, particularly for creators looking to launch Kickstarter campaigns. The hosts offer valuable insights and guidance for navigating these challenges while upholding artistic integrity and achieving profitability.