Contest of Challengers
Episodes
Contest of Challengers 160: Good, Fast or Cheap. Pick Two.
03 Mar 2014
Contributed by Lukas
More noise-yums for yer earholes. The return of bike messenger delivery talks, paying for things at many, many cons, and brand new event announcements...
Contest of Challengers 159: What Fanbase?
24 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
23 years as retailers and we still can’t order right. New Warriors, Mighty Avengers and other Marvel talk. ToyFair 2014 and what we’re excited for...
Contest of Challengers 158: Insert Link Here
17 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Oh man… we’re just going to save time and apologize to everyone right now. We have the best of intentions, but some of this may be misconstrued as...
Contest of Challengers 157: Quizzed-Up
03 Feb 2014
Contributed by Lukas
ChallengersComics.com in action! No Challengerlympics. Dropped club members. And QuizUp! All this in CoC episode 157.
Contest of Challengers 156: All-New Contest of Challengers.Now
27 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about All-New Marvel Now titles, Talk Like Paul Stanley Day, Brian Posehn, Marvel Super Hero Mashers toys, and more.
Contest of Challengers 155: Expo Say
13 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
Man, Image sure has a lot of new books coming out. Plus an event 4 years in the making!
Contest of Challengers 154: Climbing the Stairs of Sales
06 Jan 2014
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first episode of 2014, so after some current news, that means a look back at the best-selling graphic novels of 2013.
Contest of Challengers 153: Puppet Nation
31 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A look back to Christmas 2013 and other high points of the year.
Contest of Challengers 152: We Made This
17 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is 90% DC Comics sales numbers over the past 10 years and how the ranking differs for Challengers. There’s more, but it’s really sale...
Contest of Challengers 151: Original Graphic Content
10 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We solve the mystery of what to do for Episode #150, by skipping #150 altogether! No, that’s not true; we have only adjusted to the proper episode n...
Contest of Challengers 149: Six to the Gun
03 Dec 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Willingham, Cameron Stewart and Christopher Mitten were all just here. Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt will be here. But man do we love playing QuizU...
Contest of Challengers 148: Rock City
18 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Lone survivor of a dying planet, Aw Yeah Comics Publisher, Chris “Zod” Smits joins Patrick to discuss Byrne/Claremont X-Men, Chicago KickStarter d...
Contest of Challengers 147: Back In The New York Groove
04 Nov 2013
Contributed by Lukas
No your ears have not deceived you, Virginia; this is in fact a NEW episode of Contest of Challengers, complete with music from Concrete Cross.
Contest of Challengers 146: Clubbing Part 2 Nothin to Lose
16 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Dal and Patrick respond to your concerns about the proposed club changes. And they talk about Villains Month and Marvel’s December solicitations, bu...
Contest of Challengers 145: Clubbing
09 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Theoretical changes are proposed to Your Box at Challengers, our subscription program.
Contest of Challengers 144: One Man Army Chattingers
02 Sep 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It’s another Chattingers episode this week, as Patrick and guests discuss Jack Kirby’s future Captain America, O.M.A.C., the One Man Army Corps.
Contest of Challengers 143: Variants On A Theme
25 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Do you like yelling? In an episode originally titled “Cataclysm” we yell about, well, a few weeks worth of stored up topics. It’s not like thi...
Contest of Challengers 142: Not Good Enough
12 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In order this week… Customer Bags, Ryan North and KickStarter, DC’s Villains Month, and Magic the Gathering. And about 6 audio clip drop-ins. And ...
Contest of Challengers 141: The Boss of the Podcast
05 Aug 2013
Contributed by Lukas
I dunno. Stuff.
Contest of Challengers 140: Anything Nice
22 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded during the 2013 Eisner Awards, Patrick and W. Dal are super-distracted waiting to find out if they won… and the read a LOT of Twitter posts...
Contest of Challengers 139: Quickfire
01 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Here is what is discussed… Changing discounts, Small Press publishers vs. Local Artists, Comics Quickfire, and Paul Pope. Also, someone coughs a lot...
Contest of Challengers 138: Event Horizon
24 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Oh, we have a LOT of events coming up…
Contest of Challengers 137: Science
17 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It took me forever to come up with the title for this episode, and I have no more energy left to give you a description. Sorry.
Contest of Challengers 136: Coterie of Challengers
10 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Dal is on vacation this week, and it takes not one, not two, but THREE, three other Challengers to replace him. It is, as the title suggests, a coteri...
Contest of Challengers 135: Birthright
03 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a box episode this week as we shine a spotlight on CHATTINGERS, our monthly Graphic Novel Book Club. SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT takes the stage and y...
Contest of Challengers 134: Gee, Axe Us
27 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We do not talk about the Eisner Awards this week (yet) but instead this episode is almost divided into 2 equal parts about creators altering character...
Contest of Challengers 133: Almost Being Human Nation
20 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Business as usual. Oh, and the words “mom” “teen” and “backdoor” were in this episode, not necessarily in that order, but were edited out....
Contest of Challengers 132: Suit Yourself
13 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you for the cookies, Lauren (and Ryan)!! This episode comes to you from Ryan Browne’s art studio, surrounded by the sounds of all the God Hate...
Contest of Challengers 131: C2E2/FCBD/13
06 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
More Injustice! Just kidding. It’s our C2E2/Free Comic Book Day wrap-up, with guest stars galore! Lizzy Challenger, Ashly Challenger, Luke Smarto, W...
Contest of Challengers 130: In Just Us
29 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The day INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US came out, Dal, Patrick and Samantha bought it and played it for almost 2 hours. This is that.
Contest of Challengers 129: Non-Stop Comic Party
22 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We spent all week getting ready for C2E2, yet we still have an hour for you. Also this week, a clip from Pat Loika’s LOIKAMANIA #138 featuring Chris...
Contest of Challengers 128: Get On The Wavelength
15 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff Tate, Lucy Knisley, Ryan Brown, Adam Orth and Shane Carruth are all talked about in this episode. Total name-dropping, deluxe.
Contest of Challengers 127: Forgiven and Forgotten… or Forgotten
08 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
I really wanted to call this episode “Cold Redemption” but a far better title is “Dirty Laundry.” This one is real, honest and cathartic.
Contest of Challengers 126: On The Road
01 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
In a car. Eating cake. Not at the same time. Happy 5th Anniversary to us!
Contest of Challengers 125: Lying Fallow
25 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
A long time ago, we used to be friends, and we talk about a lot of things this week, but the emphasis is on BKV, Marcos Martin and Panel Syndicate. ...
Contest of Challengers 124: Always Someone Else's Idea
19 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Here is an in order list of the topics of this episode. Marvel Toys Handful of Heroes, Free Comic Book Day, Lighting Issues in Sidekicks, Lucy Knisley...
Contest of Challengers 123: Don't Be A Hero
11 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode’s alternate titles include, ”Ephemeral Worth” and “Soul Eroding.” By the time we were done recording this, we had no idea what ...
Contest of Challengers 122: House of Hel
25 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We’re more comic heavy this episode, as opposed to retail-themed, but there’s still plenty of digressions and video game talk, too. But if you tak...
Contest of Challengers 121: Shaping Your Narrative
11 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Rejected titles for this episode include “Movement No. 2” and “Some Level of Failure.”
Contest of Challengers 120: Emotional Investment
04 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we start slow but end big, with talk about Panel Babble 2, Sidekicks, how we shop for toys, Transformers (his name was Orion Pax!), Marve...
Contest of Challengers 119: Boots On The Ground
27 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We’d love to tell you what this episode is all about, but that would spoil our new Intro feature (that may never be used again).
Contest of Challengers 118: Sidekickin'
21 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
SIDEKICKS, our all-ages comic room is ready! What does that mean for the Rogues Gallery? You’ll see… or hear… We also talk about Yelp reviews an...
Contest of Challengers 117: Mr. Flibble
14 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Droolotron, Cubby_13, Pacifighter, Cribulon, Diaperious; The ROBIT BABIES! ™ & © 2013 Challengers, Inc.
Contest of Challengers 116: 5 More Years
07 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our 5th calendar year of this Podcast (we started in 2009)! We think this is a good one, with an NYE recap, a New Back Issue system, and th...
Contest of Challengers 115: Calling All Cars
31 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We take care of a little website hackin’ business first, but the majority of this is New Comic related! And most of that is Amazing #700. Spoilers a...
Contest of Challengers 114: Verbatim
24 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Holidays! This episode was recorded at 4am during Christmas Crisis, with a very, very tired Patrick and Dal. A new Graphic Novel initiative is i...
Contest of Challengers 113: Meritocracy
17 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk some Katie Cook, and there’s some griping about event attendance, but pretty much all we really talk about is the Image ‘No More...
Contest of Challengers 112: Death By A Thousand Cuts
10 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Holiday Gift Guide; The Sixth Gun; James VanOsdol; roller coaster ordering and hope for the future.
Contest of Challengers 111: Appreciated Enthusiasm
03 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
You hear his voice every week at the start and end of each Contest of Challengers episode. Now you get to hear James VanOsdol all the way through.
Contest of Challengers 110: Winking Self-Awareness
26 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have any favorite web comics? We mention a few we dig and talk about some new talents (to us). We also discuss JVO’s Q101 book (more on that ...
Contest of Challengers 109: Fact Packed
19 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The Untold History of Marvel Comics is a grand discussion topic for the week, as is the prospect of opening a new store in today’s market. Also, Kyl...
Contest of Challengers 108: High On A New Thing
12 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Patrick is joined by the amazingly talented JENNY FRISION. They talk about Jenny’s beginnings as a comic fan up to her present as a com...
Contest of Challengers 107: Select Cut
05 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Who wants to talk about the Lucasfilm sale when there’s Assassain’s Creed III? Trick question. This episode is all over the map as Patrick, once a...
Contest of Challengers 106: Like Trolls
29 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Fight injustice! Unorthodox economic revenge. Also, Dal is super-sleepy.
Contest of Challengers 105: Centuries of Taming
22 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
No method in our madness, just pride about our manner. This was recorded a week ago and I no longer remember what we talk about! Although I’m pretty...
Contest of Challengers 104: Learning Experience
15 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
There is no nerd rage here as Patrick is joined by the lovely and talented Stella Cheeks! Cartoons, comics and burlesque all come together in one infe...
Contest of Challengers 103: Rocket of Love
08 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
I’m a rocket of love; take me! This episode is all about variant covers. You think we’ve said it all before, but we haven’t. All new information...
Contest of Challengers 102: From All Angles
01 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
He’s been a Challengers supporter since the beginning and he has more than put in his time behind the registers in comics retail; this week Patrick ...
Contest of Challengers 101: The Mac Tutor
24 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is Apple heavy as our guest is Mac specialist and long-time friend, Tony Marengo. Tony, Patrick and Dal used to work together in the 90’...
Contest of Challengers 100.5: Leftovers
18 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
If you can only listen to ONE podcast this week, this is NOT that podcast. So non-integral is this episode, it doesn’t even get its own number. It’...
Contest of Challengers 100: Net Positive
10 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Century Guild’s THOMAS NEGOVAN turns the tables and interviews Dal and Patrick for this, the recorded live in the store 100th episode. Featuring Tom...
Contest of Challengers 99: Like a Father Going Out for Cigarettes in the Middle of the Night
04 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A little bit of everything is on deck this time. Patrick’s episode of “Creative Has Nothing For You”; Ryan Browne talks Blast Furnace all sorts ...
Contest of Challengers 98: Hey, Bella
20 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Oh yes its Ladies Night and the feeling’s right; oh, what a night. That’s right; we spend an awful lot of time discussing a potential Women-Only n...
Contest of Challengers 97: Max Capacity
08 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Dal relives his Wimbledon days as fictitious tennis takes center (clay) court… but only as a lead-in to a much greater Marvel Now discussion. And mo...
Contest of Challengers 96: Wear the Crown
01 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Ten years in the making! One half of Serpent Crown reunites as Patrick talks with long-time comics fan Chris Carlson. In another life (the 90’s) the...
Contest of Challengers 95: Random Donuts from Strangers
23 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s topics include a Writing component for Challengers Assemble!, a few new event announcements, the Mike Norton Surprise Party, and an anno...
Contest of Challengers 94: Stay Classy
17 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A 2-hour San Diego wrap up! What are the stories that impact Challengers the most? Also, cameos by James VanOsdol (thanks to his show on the Steve Dah...
Contest of Challengers 93: Not Losing
06 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This week Patrick and W. Dal talk about successful events, very delinquesnt subscribers, an alteration to Challengers' consignment policy and gallery ...
Contest of Challengers 92: Something to Cry About
28 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In an episode filled with animal crackers, Patrick and Dal talk about Brave, Rebekah Isaacs, KickStarter and more, and there’s even a (pre-recorded)...
Contest of Challengers 91: Self-Preservation
22 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Busy summer! So many books! So many issues of so many books! And... Patton Oswalt! Not, you know, ON the episode, but we talk about him, as he talked ...
Contest of Challengers 90: Marauding We Will Go
13 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We didn’t go to Book Expo America, but that doesn’t stop us from talking about it. Or the new DC #0 issues. Or Patrick’s childhood visit to the ...
Contest of Challengers 89: Belly Up
04 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It starts with a discouraging weekend and ends with a bunch of future excitement. With 1992 Chicago radio in-between. And Will Eisner “Spirit of Com...
Contest of Challengers 88: Fire and Forget
22 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
How best to show off the store in a 5-minute video? Presenting… Challengers To You. And we’re bringing some old product lines back to the shelves.
Contest of Challengers 87: What Do I Get?
10 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of catching up to do, courtesy of Free Comic Book Day, The Avengers, the Robot Print Art Show and more. Guest-starring Colt Cabana, Kevin Nash an...
Contest of Challengers 86: Sum of One
23 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
86! The year Patrick graduated high school! Ha! He's old. And this week it shows, as he takes the reins solo while trying to tackle the question of mo...
Contest of Challengers 85: Officer Down!
17 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for a post-C2E2 rundown here at Challengers Central, and NO convention wrap-up is complete without a thorough discussion of the beanie sha...
Contest of Challengers 84: Radio-Free Challengers
02 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We just can’t get enough of our toys! We talk about lots of stuff this week, but really, all we wanna talk about are our toys. And then we wonder if...
Contest of Challengers 83: Hoax and Mirrors
26 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Interviews w/ Michael Moreci & Steve Seeley and Ryan Browne, conducted during our HOAX HUNTERS/SMOKE AND MIRRORS launch party! But before that Patrick...
Contest of Challengers 82: First Person Shooter
19 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Us? Where have YOU been? I realize the title of this episode may make you think we interview Jim Shooter. We do not. But we DO talk about video games ...
Contest of Challengers 81: Ultimate Drawing Challenge(rs)
20 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This is the hardest Patrick has laughed while editing an episode, but he’s a child. Can you survive the Ultimate Drawing Challenge! And if you skip ...
Contest of Challengers 80: Radically Off Base
13 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Topics include Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley’s recent media comments and, briefly, Before Watchmen.
Contest of Challengers 79: Hand-To-Hand
30 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we discuss our upcoming C2E2 layout. Sure, we discuss upcoming art shows and new show subjects. Absolutely we converse a LOT about hand selling. ...
Contest of Challengers 78: Localized Dialogue
23 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Kyle Baker looks towards the future as Patrick and Dal look to the immediate past. Featuring Weekly Email Newsletters, Sketch Blogs and the Chicago de...
Contest of Challengers 77: Featured Guests
16 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Okay, look, this is not our best episode, but it’s real. We talk about 2nd Printings, Art Baltazar, C2E2 and New Events. I deleted most of the s’m...
Contest of Challengers 76: The Second One First
09 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Featuring more listener questions; the collapse of Tundra; Captain America’s fake brother; and, the detailed answer to one of the most asked questio...
Contest of Challengers 75: The Next
02 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the longest CoC episode, by far! It’s a huge look back to a full year’s worth of comic and graphic novel sales. And gushing over Eliza Frye...
Contest of Challengers 74: Lost Kitty
26 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A 'lost' episode from April 2011, featuring Tom Kelly & John Siuntres. Recorded in a very noisy Challengers while a sick patron was coughing loudly th...
Contest of Challengers 73: Brain Tape
19 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The countdown to Christmas sees the recap of recent events, a questioning of Marvel’s Astonishing line, the desire for custom t-shirts and a brief u...
Contest of Challengers 72: Nerd Year's Eve
11 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
New Year’s Eve party @ Challengers! Hosted by singer Jess Godwin and writer Elliott Serrano. Food, drink, nerd burlesque, a ‘nerder’ mystery, an...
Contest of Challengers 71: Completely Antithetical
06 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Dal has completely redesigned the Challengers website, and he tells you why/how. We also talk recent #1 sales numbers and tell you all about why Patri...
Contest of Challengers 70: Man Hours
27 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It feels like New Year’s already as it’s out with the old and in with the new. 2012 promises several new, ongoing events at Challengers, including...
Contest of Challengers 69: Your Apocalypse
21 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Two distinct hales of one episode, complete with a musical intermission. In half one, Patrick and Dal go over their January orders and lament the shee...
Contest of Challengers 68: Out of the Box
13 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
If money was no object, what would Challengers look like? We also discuss Holiday Sales, a possible New Year’s Eve party, actual sales numbers for A...
Contest of Challengers 67: +1
07 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This episode Patrick and Dal talk about their hiring practices and what they expect from their employees. And who better to help out with this discuss...
Contest of Challengers 66: Human Voices
31 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Lights; music; commerce! The boys talk about WHY they do events and how much thought goes into their execution. That leads into a discussion of Hallow...
Contest of Challengers 65: High-Tech Episode
24 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
128 tracks of recording quality and 127 of them are Dal! We’re back and in a brand new studio! We talk about what we expect from The Rogues Gall...
Contest of Challengers 64: Value-Added Proposition
07 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Say, did you ever wonder if comic retailers overreact to things? And, we love you SO much... we recoded this episode twice!
Contest of Challengers 63: #24HCD
04 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This episode goes from the current 24 Hour Comics Day all the way back to the lost 3rd episode of CoC. With a bonus lost snippet added in.
Conetst of Challengers 62: Antipluralization
18 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What are publishers currently doing right? What should you NOT do when opening a comic shop? And SHOULD Challengers carry more toys?
Contest of Challengers 61: Oz-mosis
14 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
So, how did the first week of New DCU titles sell? And could we have sold more? We also talk some Skottie Young and more. And Big Daddy Cool starts ...