Contest Of Challengers

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

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

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

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

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

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 talk about Red Dwarf, Infinity Inc, and the new Secret Six. And a brand new Christmas song by the Divorce Gun, called “Santa.”

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 Bots, and so very much more.

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.