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Contest of Challengers

CHALLENGERS Comics + Conversation

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!
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Top 10 Contest of Challengers Episodes

Best episodes ranked by Goodpods Users most listened

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Resolute Carnage

Contest of Challengers

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06/28/20 • 62 min

Patreon will now start charging tax for rewards. Here’s how we’re trying to minimize it for you. How do you draw a star? Chicago is now in Phase 4, so please, PLEASE wear a face mask. The new DC Comics variant cover program for Batman Three Jokers. ‘I hate doing this but I need my job’ Marvel reduces their Empyre crossovers by 20 titles. We’re pulling all 24 chapters of the ‘X of Swords’ crossover for everyone that already gets X-MEN, unless you tell us NOT to. Next year’s Marvel summer crossover? Thanks, Patrons! Patrick’s ALZ5K in remembrance of his Mom (http://rememberingfrances.com)

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Nothing Feels Normal

Contest of Challengers

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06/22/20 • 67 min

Expanding our hours slightly in July. What is Octopus and how will it help us run our Shopify online store? http://challengers-comics.myshopify.com Our “Keep Reading Comics” Kickstarter is over. Trying to use DC Connect as an ordering catalog. All our DC Direct orders (action figures and statues) have been cancelled. Shipping woes from the new comic book distributors. Image has a new Sales Manager. The forced excitement over Gold Lantern. What % of each New Girl character are you? Free Comic Book Summer? Negan Lives as the Walking Dead returns for 1 more issue. Ordering 3 Jokers.

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They Flee Into The Night

Contest of Challengers

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06/15/20 • 69 min

What? We’re NOT starting with DC Comics this episode? No, we are. More new distribution channels. Fun with (new) windows! Patrick injury update (get used to these). Jeanna Challenger is back at the shop and Kent returns this Thursday! The plan to reorganize our back hallway (next month). Having to rent another storage unit. Remembering Denny O’Neil. September’s new Iron Man comic looks real good!! Batman comic sales since re-opening. Black Lives Matter banner.

Keep Reading Comics T-Shirt Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/challengers/keep-reading-comics-t-shirt-designed-by-gene-ha Patrick’s ALZ5K in remembrance of his Mom (http://rememberingfrances.com)

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Oh, DC Comics…

Contest of Challengers

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06/07/20 • 64 min

What did DC do to us this week? #1 Lowered our discount by 20%. Patrick’s ALZ5K in remembrance of his Mom (http://rememberingfrances.com) The further looting of Blue and the aftermath. Red is open for in-store shopping again! But there are rules. Black Lives Matter. What did DC do to us this week? #2 Left Diamond Comic Distributors What does this mean for our Graphic Novel buying? What does this mean for our Single Issue Comic buying? What does this mean for our Subscribers and Special Orders?

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Helping You Even If It Hurts Us

Contest of Challengers

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06/01/20 • 78 min

**An hour after we recorded this episode, our River North location was looted. So we start there and then go to the beginning of the episode** (It was actually looted 6 different times during the night, but that happened after our post script) How have DC Comics' recent actions impacted us THIS week? Customers ignoring our pandemic procedures. Reopening for in-store shopping (this Wednesday!) T-Shirt Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/challengers/keep-reading-comics-t-shirt-designed-by-gene-ha/ Comics Fists Face Mask: https://challengers.threadless.com/designs/comics-fists-mask Comics are back, so of course speculators are also back. Avengers #33 is SO GOOD! The passing of a subscriber. Patrick injury update and losing his Mom to Alzheimer's (http://rememberingfrances.com). Thank you, Patrons!

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The Plan We Had Was Not a Bad One

Contest of Challengers

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05/25/20 • 64 min

Guess what? Patrick’s leg still hurts. Welcome, all you Kamen Rider message board fans! Preparing to re-open for in-store business, but then, not. How DC Comics keeps making life so much harder for us. DC subscription management issues. Challengers Blue is done. Blue bookshelves for sale!! Making more by selling less? The first New Comic Wednesday in 2 months. IS the market stronger with subscribers, or without? Shopify fun!

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Update of Pain

Contest of Challengers

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05/18/20 • 32 min

Not quite a full episode, but to be honest we've had less coherent ones. More like 30 minutes of Patrick rambling about how much his leg hurts. Some comic things are discussed, but we’ll (hopefully) be back next week with a full rundown of current events, and Dal. Plus, new blinds! Thanks, Drew & Ashleigh!!

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The Double-Release Window

Contest of Challengers

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05/10/20 • 83 min

How filming a dumb IG video put Patrick in the hospital for a few days this week. New comics May 20th for sure! DC wants their books to be released on Tuesdays. Too bad, DC. Which day is the ideal day for new releases? Marvel’s temporary staggered release schedule. Marvel’s new digital first initiative. Sorry, Hawkeye, Ant-Man and Star fans. Patron comments. What DO we think of Chris Jericho? Curse Words has a massive new Kickstarter happening right now!

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Finding Value in Different Things

Contest of Challengers

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05/04/20 • 80 min

Mental health check-in! Do you want us to ask how you’re doing? Shipping delays are now the norm for all businesses. Our Challengers facemasks arrived! And they are... um, masks. When our in-store inventory doesn’t match our Shopify inventory. Local pick-up shifts from Chicago Board Game Café to Challengers Bucktown starting Monday, May 4th. Our self-imposed rules for our IG videos. Thanks, Patrons! Kenny Omega is a pumpkin-headed dip$#!t!

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Foot Fist Frankenstein

Contest of Challengers

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07/01/20 • 81 min

It’s a bonus mid-week episode! Comic creator Tom Kelly joins Patrick to talk about all the things that go into making your own graphic novel! Going to school to study graphic design. Getting a job in graphic design. Going back to school to study comic art. Making comic art! Setting up at conventions. Drawing Hello Kittys. Running a Kickstarter campaign! And so much more! You can check out the Foot Fist Frankenstein Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/footfistfrankenstein/foot-fist-frankenstein-a-monster-martial-arts-revenge-comic FOOT FIST FRANKENSTEIN is a 120-page hardcover graphic novel that blends together Monsters, Comic Books and Martial Arts movies. Foot Fist Frankenstein is an action adventure revenge story, think John Wick meets the Hulk by way of Kung Fu theater. It's the story of a monster, who after finally finding happiness and peace, has it cruelly ripped away and the revenge mission he undertakes as a result.

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  • FAQ

    How many episodes does Contest of Challengers have?

    Contest of Challengers currently has 640 episodes available.

    What topics does Contest of Challengers cover?

    The podcast is about Graphic, Novels, Comic, Entrepreneurship, Comics, Podcasts, Books, Arts and Business.

    What is the most popular episode on Contest of Challengers?

    The episode title 'Resolute Carnage' is the most popular.

    What is the average episode length on Contest of Challengers?

    The average episode length on Contest of Challengers is 69 minutes.

    How often are episodes of Contest of Challengers released?

    Episodes of Contest of Challengers are typically released every 7 days.

    When was the first episode of Contest of Challengers?

    The first episode of Contest of Challengers was released on Jul 31, 2009.

    Show more FAQ

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