Contest of Challengers

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 BIG mistake; and we discuss the artistic styling of David Finch.

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

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 change up our creator signings in 2015. Also, Tooth and Claw #1.

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

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 long segment on #GamerGate and gaming comics, and then highlights of new #1 issues out this week.

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. 

Technology talk! Talking about Square transitions into ComiXology transitions into ComicSuite. And then Club talk. Oh, pull and hold service—something has to give. Also, how in-store signings are like Artist Alley tables, and then we talk a bunch of new comics! Thor, Men of Wrath, Gotham Academy, Batgirl and more!

Half-price recent comics, veteran creators abandoning comic conventions, neighbors, and memorable runs on Fantastic Four. That’s what is talked about this episode. And please welcome our sponsor, TheMacTutor.com!

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 titles, haphazard release schedules, store sponsorship, what’s going on in the current Avengers titles, and Marvel’s AXIS event. 

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 plan to hold Art Shows moving forward, Thor #1 variants and some over-looked titles from last week.

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 remember, but I know there’s more.

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

This episode delves into Challengers slightly new ComiXology procedures, how recent ComicSuite changes have lengthened the time it takes to place our monthly orders, retailer preview books, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and more.

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

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 announcements that came out of San Diego.

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

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 announcements, including Batgirl, Thor, how good Storm #1 is and more.

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 grudges, and a few aesthetic changes to Challengers and Sidekicks.

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

We talk about how our title sales rate against the national average, with Batman = 100. We talk about Hellblazer writers, and mention the name “Ennis” many, many times. We talk next year’s comic book TV shows and we talk about Arrow way more than we should.

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!

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.

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

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

RICHAAAAARRRRDS!!! Also, we turn 6.