Contest of Challengers

Contest of Challengers 260: Pre Comic Book Day

03 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

A 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

02 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

DC presented retailers with a Rebirth Roadshow and we were there! Here's a recap!

Contest of Challengers 258: Jesus, Andrea!

25 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

We’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 VOYA...

Contest of Challengers 257: BotCon 2016

18 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Dal 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. S...

Contest of Challengers 256: Clampdown

11 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of news coming out of the weekend’s Emerald City Comicon.

Contest of Challengers 255: Have Faith

04 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Faith Erin Hicks will be @ Challengers this Wednesday! We also talk about lots of other stuff. Lots, I say!

Contest of Challengers 254: Rebirth

28 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This 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

21 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick and Dal run down this year’s C2E2 experience. And then Patrick takes you thru 2 successful C2E2 store events. Bonus(?)—the whole episode i...

Contest of Challengers 252: The HARDEST Working People

14 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Our 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

07 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Stop 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

29 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

With no fanfare (aside from this right here) it’s Episode #250!! We talk about retailer reactions to DC’s Rebirth via Facebook, Warner Bros. possi...

Contest of Challengers 249: Shoot a Bullet

22 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

More on DC Rebirth. Eric Stephenson’s ComicsPRO speech. Do lower cover prices help? And more!

Contest of Challengers 248: Using Weasel Words

15 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Let’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 De...

Contest of Challengers 247: The Last Mile

08 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick’s notes for this episode read, “Podcasting, 360°, Classic Comics Journalism, ‘The Last Mile,’ How Amazon Works, The Cost of Doing Bus...

Contest of Challengers 246: The 5 Copy Rule

01 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Oh Indy Comics, why you be frontin? A new layout for Challengers? More?

Contest of Challengers 245: Trans-Media Synergy

26 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

DC Rebirth. What is it? Do we even care? Dal has lots of thoughts.

Contest of Challengers 244: Fit All the Words

18 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

For 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...

Contest of Challengers 243: Look

11 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick 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

04 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Marvel 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

01 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

FULL 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, ...

Contest of Challengers 240: They Can Be Fun

28 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We 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 ...

Contest of Challengers 239: Upgrade

20 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

New computers and operating systems. “Fun” customer interactions. How DCYou and All-New All-Different Marvel are faring across the country. Merry ...

Contest of Challengers 238: Poopie!

14 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This one feels like it’s half movies/half comics.

Contest of Challengers 237: We are Robin War Son of Grayson

07 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Gift-giving graphic novels (hooray for alliteration!!), The Vision, Harley, Robin War, Local Spotlight Saturdays, alphabetized Graphic Novels, new com...

Contest of Challengers 236: Just, Okay

30 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Our final 2015 Local Comic Shop Day podcast. Trust us; we’re just as relieved as you.

Contest of Challengers 235: AKA Alias

23 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Marvel’s latest Netflix show ALIAS is really good!

Contest of Challengers 234: Money, Please

16 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We have a Patreon… just sayin.’ We talk about a bunch of New Comics and Local Comic Shop Day. And other stuff.

Contest of Challengers 233: A War You Were Never Going To Win

02 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Marvel is taking a beating in the comics press. We will not have a Batman/TMNT exclusive cover. No-New, All-Similar Marvel readers. New club member em...

Contest of Challengers 232: Let's Go Comics

26 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is kind of ‘more of the same’ only looking thru a sharper lens. More All-New All-Different Marvel talk. More variant cover talk. And ...

Contest of Challengers 231: Eliza

19 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Eliza Frye joins Patrick to talk about the New York Comiccon, KickStarter fulfillment and to get pelted with Cheerios.

Contest of Challengers 230: Moon Serpents

12 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Doesn’t ANYONE read Dal’s blog?

Contest of Challengers 229: Apolitical (Comics) Blues

05 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Bastions of Positivity, that’s us. Arbiters of Acceptance. Stay off the GD Internet.

Contest of Challengers 228: You're a Liar

28 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Don’t worry, the 20 minute Blindspot discussion takes place AFTER the outro, so you can easily skip it.

Contest of Challengers 227: This is Number One

14 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This was recorded during Riot Fest, but unlike last year you can’t hear any bands, only police sirens. Lots of police sirens. 

Contest of Challengers 226: Heath Corson

06 Sep 2015

Contributed by Lukas

You am HATE this episode with terrible BIZARRO writer Heath Corson. Boo-ray!

Contest of Challengers 225: Star, COMICS, Star

31 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

More 5,000 copy Variant Cover ideas. How is the DCYou line doing? Doctor Strange villains. Local Comic Shop Day! Etc.

Contest of Challengers 224: Controversy of Challengers

24 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

While that title is actually said in this episode, it’s a little misleading to have it represent the entire show—but we did it anyway. Also, more ...

Contest of Challengers 223: Kofi

18 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick talks to WWE Superstar KOFI KINGSTON about being a comics fan on the road… and maybe a little wrestling talk, too. #clapnation 

Contest of Challengers 222: Kiss of Death

10 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone pre-ordered comics? Plus, free BONUS material for everyone!

Contest of Challengers 221: Breaking the Chains

03 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

If we were to start naming every episode after Dokken song titles, how long would it take you to notice?

Contest of Challengers 220: Three For All

27 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It’s like 3 episodes in one this week! The usual Patrick/Dal biz talk, then Kent Challenger takes us thru this week’s books, and finally artist Za...

Contest of Challengers 219: Two Years Later

20 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick solves a puzzle that’s been plaguing him for 2 years. Also, personnel changes at Diamond, 2 other Patrick interviews and more.

Contest of Challengers 218: San Diego Cache-Out

13 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

All the news out of this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con, and what it means to our business… especially our October 2015 business.

Contest of Challengers 217: Just Visiting

06 Jul 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Not only do we go over the Image Expo announcements and talk about all 44 (so far) upcoming Marvel titles, but we start off with a little shop talk…...

Contest of Challengers 216: Last Looks

29 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A few behind-the-scenes changes from both Marvel and DC impact how we’ll do business in the future. And as San Diego draws near, lots of new announc...

Contest of Challengers 215: Drugs, Drugs, Drugs

22 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Dal is away at Bot-Con this week, so filling in for him is a fellow comics retailer from *gasp* a store other than Challengers! Patrick and his guest ...

Contest of Challengers 214: American Dream(ers)

15 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

All-New All-Different Marvel, more Secret Wars, New DC titles/Divergence, We Stand On Guard, Heck, all-ages single issues. Rest in Peace, Dream.

Contest of Challengers 213: Evolution Calling

08 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Secret Wars a-plenty! Literally, like half the episode, and this one is almost 2 hours. Also, DC writers vs Marvel writers, Convergence, pre-Botcon, t...

Contest of Challengers 212: Our Finest Effort

25 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

You know what happened this episode? No one brought us ice cream, that’s what. 

Contest of Challengers 211: Never Enough

11 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A new song from Adam WarRock. Secret Wars #1. The Star Wars. Barry Allen. A quiz. Podcasting is fun and also bitter.

Contest of Challengers 210: Never Enough

04 May 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It’s everybody’s favorite annual episode… the Free Comic Book Day post mortem! And some Batman #40 talk, too.

Contest of Challengers 209: See To, Eat Too

27 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick and Dal were both at C2E2 at the same time! This was their day. And this is long. Sorry?

Contest of Challengers 208: We Know What It Looks Like

20 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not just comics this week as the guys talk about Daredevil on Netflix and both the Force Awakens and Dawn of Justice trailers. But, you know, c...

Contest of Challengers 207: No Wrong Answer

13 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Free comic books, surveys, KickStarters, selling that which is free, Kaijumax, Gene Ha, and more.

Contest of Challengers 206: Associated Browsing

06 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick is a rude jerk. A Turtle “died.” Paste Magazine’s 12 Women that have helped Transform the Comics Industry. Our Graphic Novel racking Sur...

Contest of Challengers 205: Lots of Podcasts Have a North

30 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

A (very long) Publisher’s Weekly Retailer Survey. 10 years of (new) Doctor Who. New customers means a brief new comic imbalance. 

Contest of Challengers 204: Nobody Knows You're a Human

23 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We’re KickStarting our latest t-shirt! Is Marvel cancelling 33 title? Nope. And we do NOT Talk about that Joker Batgirl cover. You’re welcome.

Contest of Challengers 203: Next Topic

16 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a potpourri of comic topics this week and Patrick and Dal run ‘em all down, including the post Convergence DC costume changes, Marvel pulling...

Contest of Challengers 202: Strength to Strength

09 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Spider-Woman #5 is SO GOOD. Wizard Fan Fest? Not so much. And we recap recent events. Plus, robots!

Contest of Challengers 201: Punked

02 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

We survived the Jason Aaron / CM Punk signing! And then what starts as a small rant about how we order Marvel Comics turned into an hour-long rant. 

Contest of Challengers 200: Lady Humans

23 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

I have no idea what to write here as neither Patrick nor Dal are on this episode…

Contest of Challengers 199: Divergent Displacement

16 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Discussion of DC’s Divergence. Speculation of cinematic Spider-Men. Alliteration is fun! Mark Waid’s thoughts on Comic Retail and Dal takes a quiz...

Contest of Challengers 198: Mark as Played

09 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Weekly publisher emails; comics published out of order; sale; pre-Toy Fair; Levar Burton, snow sales; and more.

Contest of Challengers 197: En Français

02 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for the 42nd annual Festival d’Angoulême, and we’re not there! Also, David Tennant, Chris Pratt, and what Image is doing right and ma...

Contest of Challengers 196: Secret Convergence Wars

26 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Are you as tired of these CM Punk questions as we are? Good, because we mainly talk about Marvel’s SECRET WARS and DC’s CONVERGENCE. 

Contest of Challengers 195: Bad Actors

19 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

First we Run the Jewels and then we compare our 2014 Top Comic Sales to Diamond’s list of the same.

Contest of Challengers 194: EXPOsed

12 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is 90% Image Expo news and opinions. And then there’s some Charlie Hebdo thrown in to bring us all down, too.

Contest of Challengers 193: Spin It Up

05 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to a very chilly episode of Contest of Challengers. We’re cold, but we’re chatty.

Contest of Challengers 192: Combiner Wars Voyager Class Podcast

29 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is more of a Christmas episode than last episode’s Christmas episode. We talk gifts, traditions, Holiday sales stats and all about Blac...

Contest of Challengers 191: All-Purpose Sandwich

22 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Merry Christmas from Contest of Challengers. This episode feels more like a cooking show than a comic business podcast.

Contest of Challengers 190: Accidental Intentional Harm

15 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Oh, Internet… you get outraged over so very many things. Show opener courtesy of WGN Radio, Chicago.

Contest of Challengers 189: Constantly Evolving

08 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The bulk of this episode is made up of talk about the Flash and Arrow TV shows and an upcoming signing with Jason Aaron and CM Punk. There’s also ta...

Contest of Challengers 188: In Universe

01 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 Bo...

Contest of Challengers 187: Omniscient Narration

24 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 B...

Contest of Challengers 186: The Pig Game

17 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Strap in—it’s our longest episode yet! Lots and lots of comic talk, and a few new racking ideas, too.

Contest of Challengers 185: System Error

10 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ch...

Contest of Challengers 184: More Than 2 Copies

03 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Topics include: Publishers we will stop carrying in 2015, #FCBDGate (terrible, terrible name), Revival-ween, Scott McCloud’s “The Sculptor” and ...

Contest of Challengers 183: Monstros!

27 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 lon...

Contest of Challengers 182: Other People's Happiness

13 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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. 

Contest of Challengers 181: Have a Cookie

06 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Technology talk! Talking about Square transitions into ComiXology transitions into ComicSuite. And then Club talk. Oh, pull and hold service—somethi...

Contest of Challengers 180: Too Big a Gun

29 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Half-price recent comics, veteran creators abandoning comic conventions, neighbors, and memorable runs on Fantastic Four. That’s what is talked abou...

Contest of Challengers 179: Patreon Games

22 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Contest of Challengers 178: The Slayer Episode

15 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Contest of Challengers 177: Oil Has Its Uses

04 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 remembe...

Contest of Challengers 176: Pre-Op

26 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A dedicated LGBT section; Geek Bar Chicago; Storm #2; Spider-Woman #1; Patrick loves Amy Reeder; more.

Contest of Challengers 175: Slave to the Grind

20 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This episode delves into Challengers slightly new ComiXology procedures, how recent ComicSuite changes have lengthened the time it takes to place our ...

Contest of Challengers 174: In Medias Res

11 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Toys! Events! Comics! And Guardians of the Galaxy. We’re very current.

Contest of Challengers 173: Breaking the Glass Doorway

04 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Contest of Challengers 172: Boots on the Ground

28 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Live from San Diego… Patrick and Ashly Challenger present a day-by-day recap of their adventures at Comic-Con International 2014, recorded every nig...

Contest of Challengers 171: Duplication

21 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 an...

Contest of Challengers 170: You Are Not Those People

23 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Contest of Challengers 169: Wrangling Stingrays

09 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

After a weirdly aquatic start, Patrick and Dal jump right back into the Podcast swing by talking about pre-orders, employee expectations, new windows ...

Contest of Challengers 168: Perceived Quality

12 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about how our title sales rate against the national average, with Batman = 100. We talk about Hellblazer writers, and mention the name “Enni...

Contest of Challengers 167: Done Again, Better

05 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It’s our annual Free Comic Book Day wrap-up episode, and this time it’s not negative! I know! We’re just as surprised as you!

Contest of Challengers 166: Oversight

21 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Whoops. Completely forgot to post this on time. Was too busy working on the June 2014 orders. Always some other Challengers thing gets in the way.

Contest of Challengers 165: Daylight Breaks

14 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

So weird recording this in the light… Amazon buys ComiXology. Iron Fist, Ghost Rider and Shang-Chi. And, Lumberjanes’ Noelle Stevenson.

Contest of Challengers 164: The Bread

07 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Music! We play a lot of it in the store, but do you actually LIKE it? We don’t care.

Contest of Challengers 163: An Embarrassment of Richards

31 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

RICHAAAAARRRRDS!!! Also, we turn 6.

Contest of Challengers 162: Floor Underpants

17 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of those episodes where the episode title is 100% accurate.

Contest of Challengers 161: Everything at Once

10 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In an episode that actually has a bunch of comics-related discussion, there sure is a lot of talk about gluten…