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
CR-APP-TACULAR
CR-APP-TACULAR •Not Free Shipping!! •The recipient files the claim. •Shopify app update chaos. •We’re not wearing masks anymore (for now). •Donating to Little Libraries. http://littlefreelibrary.org …
“I DON’T READ MY EMAILS!”
“I DON’T READ MY EMAILS!” •Trying to make our store as tech-forward as we can. •Don’t get mad at us for trying to help you. •Negative interactions can ruin your whole week. •Getting handmade thank yo…
“NAH; I DON’T WANT TO”
“NAH; I DON’T WANT TO” •Our FINAL AT&T story (we hope), in 2 parts. •When prices rise with no added value. •Marvel Comics August solicitations. •Black Adam #1 is surprisingly good. •Patrick no longer…
“BIG-HEADED”
“BIG-HEADED” •Chicago Podcast Day is next week! •No more sponsorship. •We’re big-headed now, we guess. •Free Comic Book Day wrap-up (with special guests)! •It’s May, so of course the shop is in the 8…
“AND” CONVERSATION, NOT “OR”
I WILL THROW YOUR COMICS IN THE TRASH
I WILL THROW YOUR COMICS IN THE TRASH •A broken Bat Grappling gun •Thor Love and Thunder Marvel Legends are out now! •Fixed costs (I told you I’d keep it in). •Comics for out-of-touch old men. •Cycl…
WHO ARE THESE BOOKS FOR?
WHO ARE THESE BOOKS FOR? •All Gwenpool, all the time! •Handling collected editions. •Why we collect what we collect. •Why are these comics being made and who are they for? •Why we find it difficult t…
A LOT OF MATERIAL IN THE MARKET
DRAWN FROM COMICS
DRAWN FROM COMICS •Stealth Marvel cancellations. •Thanks, Patrons! •Google sure seems to have their sites set on us! •Minor store changes. •The strange allure of POP Vinyl’s. •Jon Bogdnaove sold som…
FOURTEEN-TO-LIFE
FOURTEEN-TO-LIFE •We tuned 14 on the day this episode was recorded! •A week’s worth of AT&T problems (and no phone). •Follow-up to our FCBD layout. •Sometimes calling someone out on the podcast is a …
FILTER THE SEARCH
FILTER THE SEARCH •Running a modern comic shop without internet. •Receiving product using only your phone. •Zestworld, the new Substack. •Checking In with a Challenger! •We have a sponsor! •Who would…
DO A EXCLUSIVE COVER
DO A EXCLUSIVE COVER •DO A POWERBOMB! That’s one of the things we were hinting at last episode. •We have a Challengers Exclusive cover or 2 on the horizon. •Diving back into Store Events BY THE …
ANYTHING BUT INNOVATIVE
ANYTHING BUT INNOVATIVE •Too much vague talk about thigs we just can’t tell you yet. •Patrick talked to/at 5 wrestlers today, for… reasons… •We’re really excited by one of favorite creator’s new comi…
BUYING A SOLUTION
BUYING A SOLUTION •Rowing Home with Jordan North. Congratulations, Jordan!! •Where we’ve been donating this week (links below). •UPS (too) Early-morning delivery. •Why the crazy (online, not instore)…
THE WORD “NONE”
THE WORD “NONE” •ChallengersComics.com has changed! •Why you should read EIGHT BILLION GENIES, I HATE THIS PLACE and BATMAN (starting at #125). •Our JLA/Avengers plans IF we get any copies. •Paint dr…
F*CK THIS EPISODE
TEACH A MAN TO FISH
•Friday customer interactions. •How’s the Sale going? •INVOICING! And why we hate it. •A Manage Comics feature Dal would literally give a tooth for. •In interesting Sales Tax find. •Advance previews!…
SNOW PROTOCOL
SNOW PROTOCOL •Fun with Facsimile Editions. •Questionable Creators vs the Characters they create. •Snow Protocol!! •Santa Clauses •Creating new items in Shopify vs ComicSuite. •Some minor Manage Comi…
FRUGAL + VICIOUS = FRICIOUS
Contest of Challengers #570 FRUGAL + VICIOUS = FRICIOUS •Compendiums vs Trades, as more publishers are going for the larger collections. •The comic shop mainstay that is MAUS. •A brief interlude abou…
TREADING WATER
TREADING WATER •The story of an Avengers Endgame Iron Man Pop Vinyl online order. •Local Pick-Up is NOT Free Shipping. •The attempted installation of fiberoptic internet. •Shopify is changing how we …