Special Guests Greg and Karen Evans Celebrate 40 Years of Luann

This episode is sponsored by Dreamhost — your first step in owning and controlling your own work! Visit them at https://www.dreamhost.com/comiclab . This week, Brad and Dave are joined by Greg and Karen Evans, who are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their syndicated comic strip, Luann. Karen — then, a toddler — was the inspiration for the strip when Greg launched it in 1985. Twenty-seven years later, Karen joined her father to co-write the comic. They'll discuss that journey, their collaborative process, the significance of reader interaction, and more.

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Greg and Karen Evans reflect on their 40-year journey with the comic strip Luann. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of the submission process, the evolution of their characters, and the importance of collaboration in their creative process. The conversation also touches on their experiences at Comic-Con, the significance of reader interaction, and the unique challenges of adapting 2D characters into 3D models. Throughout, they emphasize the joy of storytelling and the impact of their work on fans and the cartooning community.

Takeaways

• 40 years of Luann is a tremendous achievement.
• The early submission process was filled with frustration.
• Character development is crucial in storytelling.
• Collaboration has enhanced the creative process.
• Reader interaction has shaped the strip's evolution.
• Comic-Con provides a unique opportunity for connection.
• 3D modeling presents new challenges for cartoonists.
• Aging characters allows for deeper storytelling.
• The importance of humor in everyday life.
• The joy of creating and sharing stories with fans.

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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.