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!
Knights of the Dinner Table, in-store video filming, our Christmas website, a new store mascot (kind of), toy shopping at K-Mart, Incredible Change Bots, and so very much more.
We’ve moved the register; Patrick saw Dee Snider, Mick Foley, Colt Cabana, and Marty DeRosa and was on the radio; the artist of Rat Queens makes a BIG mistake; and we discuss the artistic styling of …
Strap in—it’s our longest episode yet! Lots and lots of comic talk, and a few new racking ideas, too.
We end this episode with almost 25 minutes of Doctor Who talk, but before that is discussion of new ways to rack graphic novels, and how we plan to change up our creator signings in 2015. Also, Tooth…
Topics include: Publishers we will stop carrying in 2015, #FCBDGate (terrible, terrible name), Revival-ween, Scott McCloud’s “The Sculptor” and a quick interview with writer Dave Scheidt.
Two weeks in the making. First, our immediate impressions of the Gustavo Duarte Art Show, recorded in the car immediately after the event, next, a long segment on #GamerGate and gaming comics, and th…
Small changes to Sidekicks and one GIANT addition. New York Comic Con news. Birthright #1 is pretty great. Batman #35 is NOT what you think.
Technology talk! Talking about Square transitions into ComiXology transitions into ComicSuite. And then Club talk. Oh, pull and hold service—something has to give. Also, how in-store signings are lik…
Half-price recent comics, veteran creators abandoning comic conventions, neighbors, and memorable runs on Fantastic Four. That’s what is talked about this episode. And please welcome our sponsor, The…
Who would have thought we could tie Scottish Independence into the comics industry? Well, we do. We also talk how easy it is to fall behind on current titles, haphazard release schedules, store spons…
Maybe Silent Scream is a better episode name, keeping the Slayer theme. We talk Star Wars, our recent GHA and Speculative Relationships events, how we plan to hold Art Shows moving forward, Thor #1 v…
Southern Bastards #4; Death of Wolverine #2; Patrick goes under 8 knives; Big Hero Six; Greg Rucka’s “Bravo”; that’s kind of all I can remember, but I know there’s more.
A dedicated LGBT section; Geek Bar Chicago; Storm #2; Spider-Woman #1; Patrick loves Amy Reeder; more.
This episode delves into Challengers slightly new ComiXology procedures, how recent ComicSuite changes have lengthened the time it takes to place our monthly orders, retailer preview books, the ALS I…
This episode, Patrick, Dal and Puppycat catch us all up on recent happenings @ Challengers, during business hours AND after, and then go over the big announcements that came out of San Diego.
Live from San Diego… Patrick and Ashly Challenger present a day-by-day recap of their adventures at Comic-Con International 2014, recorded every night on the scene.
It’s a pre-San Diego episode! We talk about what to expect at Comic-Con this year and the exclusives we want. We also talk about the recent comic announcements, including Batgirl, Thor, how good Stor…
It’s not just us; Mark Waid has delinquent club members, too! We also talk about how frustrating it is ordering Marvel Comics every month, ordering grudges, and a few aesthetic changes to Challengers…
After a weirdly aquatic start, Patrick and Dal jump right back into the Podcast swing by talking about pre-orders, employee expectations, new windows and slow computers.