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Comic Lab · Thursday · 1 hr 7 min

Tapas Is Shutting Down — Now What?

What happens to your audience when the platform hosting your comic disappears? Brad and Dave discuss the news of Tapas shutting down and why owning your website, building a mailing list, and connecting readers through RSS remain essential tools for an independent comics career. Then, Brad shares ways to breathe new life into a digital product whose sales have stalled. Finally, a listener asks about revising previously posted cartoons before submitting them to publications — sparking a discussion about first-publication rights, letting time be your editor, and applying yesterday’s lessons to tomorrow’s comics. On this week’s show: Pen names, professional identities, and some spectacularly silly alternatives. The risks of building your audience entirely on someone else’s platform. Mobile-friendly websites, newsletters, and RSS. Reviving digital products through bundles, bonus content, new formats, sales, and membership gifts. Revising published cartoons versus creating new work. Building a buffer so you can edit with fresh eyes. Being kinder to the younger cartoonist who helped you get here. Publication update: Tapas has confirmed its service will end March 31, 2027. Tapas 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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show notes

What happens to your audience when the platform hosting your comic disappears? Brad and Dave discuss the news of Tapas shutting down and why owning your website, building a mailing list, and connecting readers through RSS remain essential tools for an independent comics career.

Then, Brad shares ways to breathe new life into a digital product whose sales have stalled. Finally, a listener asks about revising previously posted cartoons before submitting them to publications — sparking a discussion about first-publication rights, letting time be your editor, and applying yesterday’s lessons to tomorrow’s comics.

On this week’s show:

  • Pen names, professional identities, and some spectacularly silly alternatives.
  • The risks of building your audience entirely on someone else’s platform.
  • Mobile-friendly websites, newsletters, and RSS.
  • Reviving digital products through bundles, bonus content, new formats, sales, and membership gifts.
  • Revising published cartoons versus creating new work.
  • Building a buffer so you can edit with fresh eyes.
  • Being kinder to the younger cartoonist who helped you get here.

Publication update: Tapas has confirmed its service will end March 31, 2027. Tapas

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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