Contest of Challengers
From Challengers Comics + Conversation in Chicago, this is Contest of Challengers, a podcast about the business of running a comics shop. From publishers to distributors to the sales floor itself, each episode deals with the issues of the week and how they affect the way Challengers conducts business, and that includes the actual comic book issues themselves. Hosted by Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush. Thanks for listening. Keep Reading Comics!
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 68 minutes
- Episodes
- 750
- Years Active
- 2009 - 2025
Broken Links in the Supply Chain
"Broken Links in the Supply Chain" The regular occurrence of graphic novels damaged in shipping. Patrick has been doing this for 31 years. Huge week for DC! So many stores did not get their new comic…
Pin-Tastic
More Questions answered about Manage Comics. Store improvements this week: door leak guards, 2 new door thresholds, new carpet runners and 17 new window banners! Also new – Challengers Birthday card,…
Carpet Diem
Carpet Diem Patrick is SO high strung right now. He can feel the cable starting to fray… Free Comic Book Day is NOW! Although it’ll be over by the time you hear this. Our last 7 days, in order. SO mu…
The Value Aspect
"The Value Aspect" Introducing ‘new’ publisher MarvelPRH! A good idea from Diamond! Further adventures with Pullbox. What our subscription service is supposed to be vs what it’s turned into. “Curbsid…
Changing the Calculus
"Changing the Calculus" Masks are once again required in-store. Will these rising Covid numbers change Free Comic Book Day (Aug 14)? DC = Doesn’t Care Constantly having to apologize to subscribers fo…
Minimizing Chances of Failure
Minimizing Chances of Failure Wearing a coat in July. Seven Sagas vol 1’s. Patrick is working on the last Marvel Comics order from Diamond. Our (probable) switchover to Manage Comics looms ever close…
Spatial Considerations
Spatial Considerations So many plans for updating the look of Challengers, but no time to implement them. Challengers needs a deep cleaning! As we get closer to the potential switch-over to Manage Co…
Parse That Data
Parse That Data Comics as commodities. Manage Comics 2.0 is looking good for us. The last word on Challengers Blue. Finally… new carpet! And we can use your help moving all the shelves. Say 10 things…
So Many Shipments
Eternal racking questions. How many covers is too many (hint: more than 2). So many shipments from so many distributors. June sales totals (an overview). Water damage. Primordial #1 (by the Gideon Fa…
Is It Good or is it Spawn?
Yotsuba&! is returning! Calling back after we call you. The weirdness of no masks. Is it good or is it Spawn? Patrick really digs Vinyl from Image. Addressing the Warren Ellis in the room. Hoarding t…
This is a Dull Podcast
This is a Dull Podcast Upcoming DC books—more hits than not! Prose writers writing comics. Updating our Gift Cards on the website(s). Marvel Legends prices are rising and may rise more. Have you hear…
Space Ghettos
Space Ghettos Supergirl Woman of Tomorrow. How’d our Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton signing go? Hint: Awesome. Our new in-store mask policy. Asking for a Spider-Man collection is really asking for _…
So. Many. Damages.
Green Lantern after Geoff Johns volume 4. So many damages from our distribution partners. Problems with single issue comic backorders. EVERYTHING is in short supply right now (not just comics) and it…
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter What’s in Patrick’s pocket? Delaying the Batman/Fortinite reprints is annoying. New DC solicits (Batman the World). Signings are back at Challengers! Kyle Starks & Chris Schweizer,…
It’s a Linear Path
It’s a Linear Path Friday afternoon dranks. Bad artists can really make you stop reading a book. Losing John Paul Leon and David Anthony Kraft. We have current comic bags available again! Working wit…
A Frictionless Process
A Frictionless Process Tech support working on ComicSuite all day Friday. Upcoming potential ComicSuite patch to make importing ALL publishers easier. Hachette’s (one of our new regular distributors)…
Okay to Work With, But Mouthy
Okay to Work With, But Mouthy It’s a pseudo anniversary episode: 1 year since Patrick’s TMNT injury and 2 weeks since Patrick and Dal received their 2nd vaccinations. How Bad Idea’s Whalesville butto…
Saying “No”
What’s the worst weather for the shop to be open during? Free Comic Book Day is not this Saturday. The pandemic is still a thing… especially if you’re trying to order Comic Supplies or Manga. Why are…
Cry Wolf
Contest of Challengers #530 Cry Wolf Putting the Biz in Ness. Man-Bat’s Nite Fort .0 The Beta Ray Bill #1 International Sales Battle is mired in controversy. Future ordering. New DC and Marvel series…
Infrastructural
Of course “infrastructural” is a word. And we ARE relating to the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, such as Challengers …