Contest of Challengers
687 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 58 ratingsFrom 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!
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Episodes
Ask me about my feminist Avenger
October 31, 2016 05:04 - 1 hour - 39.5 MBOh, Marvel. Oh, oh, Marvel. We have some serious issues to discuss. Cover price. Page count. Unwanted back-up stories. Seriously, 80% of this episode is problems we have with the current Marvel product. #StandWithChelseaCain Curse Words looks great! And other new books for January 2017.
Even more Terry Gant (Part 2)
October 27, 2016 02:49 - 57 minutes - 26.5 MBAs it seems that Patrick and Terry are almost the same person, this half of the interview is more about pro wrestling and heavy metal than it is about comics, but it always comes back around to comics. Just like life! When these two get together over a bottle of Jameson (yes, there was Jameson), you never know what’s going to come out.
On location in Rogers Park with Terry Gant (Part 1)
October 24, 2016 02:24 - 1 hour - 35.8 MBIt’s the first time CoC was recorded in someone else’s comic shop! Terry is the owner of Third Coast Comics in Rogers Park. How did he get into comics? How did he get into retail? All the influences that make him the man and comic book retailer he is today.
Damaged product replacing previously damaged product.
October 17, 2016 02:46 - 59 minutes - 27.3 MBWe’re up for a Time Out Love Chicago Award for best Bucktown shop! Just where is Bucktown, anyway? Do comic books count as “media” for media mail? Hint: They do not. So just how do we mail comics? We hate Marvel Comics’ paper stock for their covers. Lots of damages lately from Diamond Comics, our distributor. Do we stock the freshest comics? Dal really wants biscuits. Or pancakes. He’s not greedy; he’ll take either. Millarworld is Reborn! Haha! That’s a comic pun. Hollywood celebritie...
Losing time isn’t a problem; losing money is
October 10, 2016 03:33 - 1 hour - 33.8 MBAfter weeks apart, Dal returns to Contest of Challengers and it’s like no time has passed at all. New York Comic Con is happening as this episode is recorded, so we talk about new announcements such as Batwoman, Justice League America and Supersons, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, Warren Ellis and a TMNT/WWE crossover. Yes, that’s right. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures dressed as WWE wrestlers. We also talk about… A new Ex Libris Challengers bookplate. Dal got a Vision t-shirt. ...
Jill Thompson on Contest of Challengers
October 03, 2016 05:42 - 1 hour - 38.4 MBIt’s an interview with Jill Thompson! The triple-threat of pop culture; comics, wrestling, and _________? Her brand new graphic novel “Wonder Woman The True Amazon” is out now and she’ll be signing it at Challengers on Saturday, October 15th. We talk about how she got into comics as a fan, her love of wrestling, Peanuts, Archie comics and all about Wonder Woman. Bonus: Brian Azzarello is also in this episode at various points, talking about his new Image comic Moonshine (which he’ll be ...
He’s coming 3,000 miles; you can come 5.
September 25, 2016 22:24 - 1 hour - 31 MBThis is an international episode of CoC as England-based writer Antony Johnston joins Patrick and this week’s special guest co-host, artist Christopher Mitten, to talk all about how they got into comics as fans and how they wound up working together. They’ll both be at Challengers on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Also, music from Antony’s SILENCAEON project.
I assure you, we know what Snapchat is.
September 19, 2016 05:16 - 58 minutes - 26.9 MBDal has an iPhone 7. Batman Day 2016 causes some Snapchat confusion. We, once again, sell posters. This week is an embarrassment of great comic riches. So, so, so many great books came out at once! There is more entertainment diversity in comics now than ever before. Patrick does NOT dislike Declan Shalvey’s art. No matter what Dal tells you. Genre racking in comic book shops.
Is the 2016 Election actually hurting comic sales?
September 12, 2016 01:03 - 1 hour - 33.7 MBThis starts with probably too much talk about a toilet. That leads, naturally of course, into the building of our new Back Issue boxes. This is the last week we’ll bring up our “C” logo t-shirt Kickstarter. Barnes & Noble is having a rough go of book-selling and that leads us to other retailers and their reasons for a perceived economic downturn. Their reasons surprise us. Clowns! DC sales are up. Marvel’s are down. We’re looking forward to: Supergirl: Being Super, Green Valley, Moonsh...
Whose fault is it when a title gets cancelled?
September 05, 2016 00:28 - 2 hours - 55.9 MBThis one goes over the 2-hour mark as Patrick and Dal talk about: Messy store shelves The new Back Issue boxes Chicago’s impending Amazon store Image Comics moving their offices to Portland New title announcements from this weekend’s Diamond Retailer Summit Whose fault is it when a title gets cancelled? The Publisher? The retailers? The consumers? Lots of talk about pre-orders and why it is NOT your responsibility.
Frank Ocean’s impact on the comics industry.
August 29, 2016 02:21 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBIn a ‘rewarding’ episode, we talk about how Five Stars is working out for us as a customer rewards program. Is it needed to stay competitive? On the heels of Wizard World Chicago, we reminisce about our earliest con-going experiences (and John Byrne). Armed robbery (not of Challengers, but next to). Secret product drops and the comics industry. Civil War II is late and longer and going to wrap AFTER the new Marvel Now launches, just like Secret Wars and All-New All-Different Marvel. So w...
Why work for Marvel when you can work for yourself?
August 22, 2016 03:42 - 59 minutes - 27.3 MBLive from Seattle, RJ Casey joins Patrick to talk about self-publishing, small press, and working at Fantagraphics. You may recognize RJ’s name from several Yeti Press events at Challengers, so hear what took him from the Windy City to the City of Destiny. We go back to the beginning of RJ’s comic fandom roots and follow his reading trends away from mainstream comics. Also, Patrick tries unsuccessfully to get RJ to read “The Vision.”
Patrick lost the banana key
August 15, 2016 03:08 - 1 hour - 35.8 MBFridays are down, man, and we don’t know why. Jesse Hedman from Minneapolis stopped by the shop. Marking up open order variant covers. Five Stars loyalty program. The Cap Statue gets dusted in (human) ashes. Black Panther. Deathstroke.
The internal metric below which we are wasting our time
August 08, 2016 02:28 - 1 hour - 42.7 MBEmails! We’re sending lots of emails! Crowd-funding to save stores (not ours). Thank you, Dal’s Mom. No Comic Hub. Flashback to 7 years ago. Tilting at Windmills. Hardcover Watchmen. Lady Killer 2 and Animosity reviews. Hurrah!
This 70 minutes of my life is value-less; I should just watch Batman: The Killing Joke.
August 01, 2016 01:18 - 1 hour - 36 MBThe upcoming week is a big one for us behind the scenes, as we install a brand new point of sale system, ComicHub. Patrick and Dal each got to experience the store as customers do. Have you heard of Boulet? He’s très magnifique. And there is way too much time spent discussing Batman The Killing Joke.
'theres no irony in forgeing ones logo/signatures'
July 24, 2016 21:22 - 1 hour - 36.8 MBWe Want EVERY Award! We Won an International Award but Lost a Local One. An alternative bookstore is NOT a comic shop!! Ebay interactions are ridiculous. Comic-Con International San Diego is happening as we record! Image announces 2 fun-sounding books. And… new action figures are a-coming!
A Founding Avenger Dies this week, Killed by Another Avenger, and We Cannot Bring Ourselves to Care
July 18, 2016 06:40 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBHoly cats are there a ton of new Marvel Comics scheduled for this fall! There are also many more pre-SDCC announcements. So! Many! And we kind of dump all over Civil War II #3.
If Thor can be Mighty AND Unworthy, why Can’t Iron Man be Invincible AND Nefarious?
July 11, 2016 03:57 - 2 hours - 58 MBWhat is Dal’s fascination with Kate McKinnon? It’s a cornucopia of pre-San Diego Comic-Con news this week! The Great Lakes Avengers are back!
Contest of Challengers 267: Spatially Economical
July 04, 2016 00:15 - 1 hour - 31.3 MBMy least favorite part of every episode is writing this description. Also, this episode’s title was supposed to be LAST week’s title, but I forgot and just took the name of the song that was playing at the time I posted it.
Contest of Challengers 266: As Good as it Gets
June 27, 2016 03:28 - 1 hour - 38.9 MBPatrick is joined by a very special guest and they talk about Brexit, Roman Reigns’ suspension, Ikea, a non-Challengers comic shop, the first month of DC Rebirth titles, Civil War II and plenty more.
Contest of Challengers 265: Sliced Fried Gold
June 20, 2016 04:30 - 59 minutes - 27.4 MBIt’s total role-reversal this episode as Patrick chats with David Harper of SKTCHD.com and the Off Panel Podcast.
Contest of Challengers 264: Green Rebirth
June 06, 2016 06:07 - 44 minutes - 20.6 MBLots more Rebirth talk, about this week’s Rebirth titles.
Contest of Challengers 263: Hail Rebirth
May 30, 2016 01:48 - 53 minutes - 24.7 MBThis episode was only 9 minutes… but then Patrick added to it. You’re welcome.
Contest of Challengers 262: Table for One
May 16, 2016 00:50 - 1 hour - 27.6 MBPatrick goes solo this week and is sorry for the terrible audio quality of this episode. Even more sorry for the passing of Darwyn Cooke.
Contest of Challengers 261: Survival of the Free-est
May 09, 2016 06:43 - 1 hour - 27.9 MBWhat a week of events we’ve had! Jill Thompson, Lucy Knisley and Free Comic Book Day are all discussed here. Wheee!
Contest of Challengers 260: Pre Comic Book Day
May 03, 2016 03:48 - 42 minutes - 19.3 MBA bonus episode! This is a rundown of the free comicsChallengers is offering on Free Comic Book Day!
Contest of Challengers 259: Things Lost Its Way
May 02, 2016 03:50 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBDC presented retailers with a Rebirth Roadshow and we were there! Here’s a recap!
Contest of Challengers 258: Jesus, Andrea!
April 25, 2016 02:21 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBWe’ve made an addition to our already awesome Free Comic Book Day line-up, and that addition is the delightful Andrea Bell! The creator of FAIR VOYAGE joins Patrick this week to talk art and comics, to drink beer, and to say “EpiPen” many times. And she doesn’t belch at all. Also, there are many (many) tangents.
Contest of Challengers 257: BotCon 2016
April 18, 2016 03:50 - 1 hour - 40.1 MBDal gives us a pre and post show rundown/recap for BotCon 2016, with a brief interlude from Patrick about picking up the free comic book day comics. So you still get BOTH CoC hosts, just separately.
Contest of Challengers 256: Clampdown
April 11, 2016 03:17 - 1 hour - 36.7 MBLots of news coming out of the weekend’s Emerald City Comicon.
Contest of Challengers 255: Have Faith
April 04, 2016 04:14 - 1 hour - 31.6 MBFaith Erin Hicks will be @ Challengers this Wednesday! We also talk about lots of other stuff. Lots, I say!
Contest of Challengers 254: Rebirth
March 28, 2016 02:42 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBThis episode is pretty much and hour and a half of us discussing DC’s Rebirth creative teams. There are a few short stories, but basically all DC.
Contest of Challengers 253: C2E2_2016
March 21, 2016 03:18 - 51 minutes - 23.7 MBPatrick and Dal run down this year’s C2E2 experience. And then Patrick takes you thru 2 successful C2E2 store events. Bonus(?)—the whole episode is recorded in a car!
Contest of Challengers 252: The HARDEST Working People
March 14, 2016 02:13 - 1 hour - 41.9 MBOur 2016 FCBD plans are discussed! Amy Chu. And I just realized I never finished writing the description. Too late now!
Contest of Challengers 251: Comparative Gold
March 07, 2016 06:36 - 1 hour - 29.3 MBStop stealing from us! Please and thank you. Revolution’s Galaxy Hero Relaunch Party for C2E2. In-Store Convention Kick Off. CBR. ComicsPRO.
Contest of Challengers 250: Finding It’s Level
February 29, 2016 06:42 - 1 hour - 28.4 MBWith no fanfare (aside from this right here) it’s Episode #250!! We talk about retailer reactions to DC’s Rebirth via Facebook, Warner Bros. possible franchise comics and listener Top 10 pulls list choices!
Contest of Challengers 249: Shoot a Bullet
February 22, 2016 04:18 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBMore on DC Rebirth. Eric Stephenson’s ComicsPRO speech. Do lower cover prices help? And more!
Contest of Challengers 248: Using Weasel Words
February 15, 2016 02:06 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBLet’s charge 3x the cover price for all comics! Lucky Penny is awesome! So is Deadpool! The tip of the Toy Fair iceberg! The post office stole my Deadpool art!
Contest of Challengers 247: The Last Mile
February 08, 2016 05:15 - 1 hour - 38 MBPatrick’s notes for this episode read, “Podcasting, 360°, Classic Comics Journalism, ‘The Last Mile,’ How Amazon Works, The Cost of Doing Business.”
Contest of Challengers 246: The 5 Copy Rule
February 01, 2016 02:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBOh Indy Comics, why you be frontin? A new layout for Challengers? More?
Contest of Challengers 245: Trans-Media Synergy
January 26, 2016 00:41 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBDC Rebirth. What is it? Do we even care? Dal has lots of thoughts.
Contest of Challengers 244: Fit All the Words
January 18, 2016 04:36 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBFor not having a plan for this week’s episode, it sure gets away from us and is extra-long. Personal collections are discussed as is Civil War II, a new club sign-up form, and the Power Rangers.
Contest of Challengers 243: Look
January 11, 2016 06:33 - 1 hour - 38.4 MBPatrick has a list of notes this week! Too many to mention here. And, 2015’s best-selling single issues.
Contest of Challengers 242: Units V. Sales
January 04, 2016 06:19 - 1 hour - 33.2 MBMarvel wanted retailers to hold back 7 books this week. 2015’s best-selling graphic novels. That’s the bulk of it, right there.
Contest of Challengers 241: The Force Awakens
January 01, 2016 07:41 - 1 hour - 43.9 MBFULL OF MOVIE SPOILERS! Recorded just after we saw Star Wars The Force Awakens, but held back until more people had the chance to see it. Since then, Dal has seen it 4 times and Patrick, twice. Happy 2016.
Contest of Challengers 240: They Can Be Fun
December 28, 2015 03:44 - 1 hour - 37.8 MBWe open gifts! We talk 2015 sales vs 2014 sales and DC’s upcoming accelerated shipping plan. Also we really like Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat #1. Happy New Year.
Contest of Challengers 239: Upgrade
December 20, 2015 22:42 - 1 hour - 40 MBNew computers and operating systems. “Fun” customer interactions. How DCYou and All-New All-Different Marvel are faring across the country. Merry Christmas.
Contest of Challengers 238: Poopie!
December 14, 2015 04:32 - 1 hour - 36.8 MBThis one feels like it’s half movies/half comics.
Contest of Challengers 237: We are Robin War Son of Grayson
December 07, 2015 04:34 - 1 hour - 34 MBGift-giving graphic novels (hooray for alliteration!!), The Vision, Harley, Robin War, Local Spotlight Saturdays, alphabetized Graphic Novels, new computer, Comixology woes. And more.
Contest of Challengers 236: Just, Okay
November 30, 2015 02:52 - 1 hour - 35.4 MBOur final 2015 Local Comic Shop Day podcast. Trust us; we’re just as relieved as you.