How to Build Momentum
from Comic Lab Hosted by Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar
How do you build momentum as a cartoonist — and what happens when you lose it? Brad and Dave examine momentum across every part of a creative career: generating ideas, maintaining a productive workflow, growing an audience, and building a sustainable business. They discuss why progress can feel imperceptibly slow at first, how consistent work eventually begins producing its own energy, and why returning after a break can feel like starting a stalled train. Then, a listener asks how cartoonists should transition between scenes, chapters, and storylines in a collected book. Brad and Dave compare their very different approaches, debate whether a completely blank page is ever justified, and explain how multiple purpose-driven read-throughs can reveal problems with pacing, continuity, page turns, and transitions. Also: Skunk Watch 2026 continues, Dave considers surrendering his backyard, and Professor Dr. Reginald Wigglesby reveals the completely reliable history behind Little Orphan Annie’s pupil-less eyes. ON THIS WEEK’S SHOW... What “momentum” means in a creative career Why momentum takes longer to build than most cartoonists expect Creative momentum and generating new ideas Using an assembly-line workflow to work faster and better Repurposing one comic for websites, social media, books, merchandise, and more Building business momentum through Patreon, Kickstarter, and audience trust Why old business models can survive on momentum—even after they stop making sense Recovering after a creative pause Transitioning between scenes, chapters, and storylines Splash pages, title pages, narration boxes—and the dreaded blank page Conducting separate read-throughs for dialogue, art, pacing, continuity, and page turns Reviewing a book in print, on desktop, and on a small screen Skunk Watch 2026 Prof. Wigglesby, The Histories of Sequential Art: Little Orphan Annie’s eyes You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon $2 — Early access to episodes $5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards. If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now! Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.
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How do you build momentum as a cartoonist — and what happens when you lose it? Cartoonists Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett examine momentum across every part of a creative career: Generating ideas, maintaining a productive workflow, growing an audience, and building a sustainable business. They discuss why progress can feel imperceptibly slow at first, how consistent work eventually begins producing its own energy, and why returning after a break can feel like starting a stalled train.
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