About this episode
Marvel/Scholastic illustrator Asia Simone ( Instagram , Twitter )shares her experience of illustrating a "Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" book, navigating the world of YA graphic novel publishing, and... surviving Brad's studio! Next, a listener asks... "Should I jump to Cara?" TODAY'S SHOW Special guest Asia Simone Should I jump to Cara? San Diego Comic-Com 2024 Breaking the 4th Wall EDITOR'S NOTE During the show, Brad and Dave insisted that Jim Davis rarely breaks the Fourth Wall in " Garfield ." They were demonstrably wrong . SUMMARY In this conversation, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett, and Asia Simone discuss various topics related to live streaming, collaboration, and Asia's career as an artist. They also touch on Asia's experience working on a Marvel Scholastic book. The conversation is filled with humorous moments and insights into the creative process. Asia Simone discusses her journey into the comic book industry, including how she got scouted for a job at Marvel and Scholastic. She emphasizes the importance of doing the work you want to do and constantly striving for improvement. Asia also talks about the challenges of meeting deadlines and the importance of craftsmanship. She shares her hopes and fears for the future, including the fear of losing momentum and the hope of networking and exploring new opportunities. Asia advises aspiring artists to start small and not put too much pressure on themselves to create big, epic projects. Next, Dave and Brad express their frustration with Instagram and their skepticism about the long-term success of Cara. They also caution against jumping on every new platform. In an update, they emphasize the importance of considering the cost and profitability of exhibiting at Comic-Con. In this part of the conversation, Dave and Brad discuss the potential drop in attendance at San Diego Comic-Con and the impact it may have on their sales. They also address a question from a Patreon backer about breaking the fourth wall in comics. Dave shares his perspective on breaking the fourth wall, mentioning that he is more willing to do it in his comic strip Sheldon compared to his other comic, Drive. Brad talks about his experience with breaking the fourth wall in his previous comic, Greystone Inn , and why he chooses not to do it in his current comics. They discuss the balance and considerations of using meta humor in comics. TAKEAWAYS Ice cream trucks are a rare sight in Los Angeles, leading to envy from Dave towards Brad in Philadelphia. Asia Simone's art style is modern, western, animation-inspired, and often incorporates wacky facial expressions and poses. Asia Simone learned about paneling, bubbling, and story structure while interning with Brad Guigar. When giving a price for artwork, if the client is enthusiastic and quickly accepts, it may be an indication that the price is too low. Asia Simone landed a job with Marvel Scholastic through online postings and was given a test to illustrate a page from a Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur issue. Working on a Marvel Scholastic book required Asia Simone to adhere to a specific style and be on model throughout the project. Do the work you want to do and constantly strive for improvement. Meeting deadlines is important for building relationships in the industry. Start small, and don't put too much pressure on yourself to create big, epic projects. Collaboration and networking are key to success in the industry. Don't settle for 'good enough' - aim for excellence in your work. Stay motivated by constantly exploring new opportunities and projects. Be open to working with others and be willing to learn from them. Don't fear the future of the industry, but instead embrace the challenges and adapt to changes. Maintaining momentum is crucial for continued success. Focus on craftsmanship and delivering high-quality work. Take advantage of social media to promote your work and connect with others in the industry. The success of new social media platforms like Kara is uncertain, and it's important to consider the platform's longevity and reliability before investing time and effort into it. Instagram's performance in terms of promoting Kickstarters and Patreon campaigns has been disappointing for Dave, leading him to delete his posts and consider leaving the platform. Exhibiting at San Diego Comic-Con can be a costly investment, and it's important to have realistic expectations about profitability. It's advisable to start with regional comic conventions before considering exhibiting at larger events like Comic-Con. The absence of a Hollywood presence at Comic-Con in 2020 resulted in a more focused and profitable experience for Dave. It's important to be cautious about the potential degradation of platforms as they grow and attract venture capital. Consider the trade-offs between reliable platforms owned by large companies and newer platforms that may be more community-focused but less stable. Protecting artwork from AI scraping on social media platforms like Kara can be time-consuming and may degrade the quality of the images. The potential drop in attendance at conventions like San Diego Comic-Con can impact sales for independent creators, and it's important to be prepared for the possibility of lower sales. Breaking the fourth wall in comics can be a humorous technique, but it should be used sparingly and in a way that fits the tone and style of the comic. The decision to break the fourth wall depends on the depth and realism of the characters and storylines in the comic. More iconic and simplistic comics may be more suitable for fourth wall breaks. Breaking the fourth wall involves maintaining the suspension of disbelief, not relying on it as a crutch for punchlines, and preserving the integrity of the storytelling. Comic strips, especially those with a joke-a-day format, may be more forgiving of fourth-wall breaks than comics with deeper storylines. ASIA SIMONE Asia Simone can be found on Instagram , Twitter , and her website . 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 .