Contest Of Challengers

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 Comics” nominations. And then, Belly. And Miss Ion’s Mall Business.

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.

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 and Sammy Hagar. 

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 morality in today's comic market.

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 shark throwing game known as OFFICER DOWN!

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 this actually adds value to your lives? Also, toys. And Colt Cabana drops by.

Interviews w/ Michael Moreci & Steve Seeley and Ryan Browne, conducted during our HOAX HUNTERS/SMOKE AND MIRRORS launch party! But before that Patrick and Dal talk about what they can't, or SHOULDN'T, talk about, and stories of pranking other stores.

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 more than we should. And about Mark Waid. And once again, Dal does not support Patrick’s (self) righteous indignation on ANY topic.

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 Comic Book Men, try The Variants instead.

Topics include Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley’s recent media comments and, briefly, Before Watchmen.  

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. But most importantly, we talk about, and eat, s’mores. 

Kyle Baker looks towards the future as Patrick and Dal look to the immediate past. Featuring Weekly Email Newsletters, Sketch Blogs and the Chicago departure of Tony Akins.

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’mores argument and our Happy Endings analysis, but I know I missed editing out an inappropriate joke in there.

Featuring more listener questions; the collapse of Tundra; Captain America’s fake brother; and, the detailed answer to one of the most asked questions in the store… why do we dress like we do at Challengers?

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, Sarah Becan and Jess Godwin. Happy New Year!

A 'lost' episode from April 2011, featuring Tom Kelly & John Siuntres. Recorded in a very noisy Challengers while a sick patron was coughing loudly throughout the night. The coughing was all edited out but the remains are a bit choppy. It’s a good talk, but you have to work for it this week.

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 update on Achewood. Also, Stan Lee!

New Year’s Eve party @ Challengers! Hosted by singer Jess Godwin and writer Elliott Serrano. Food, drink, nerd burlesque, a ‘nerder’ mystery, and more. Details within. Also, 12 Rules for the Comics Industry (not ours) and we love Defenders #1.

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 Patrick is annoyed with the local news media, as it relates to last week’s Lance Briggs event. Jerks.

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 Challengers Assemble/d, Comic Klatch, and the new Visual Field! And never be afraid of change or of revamping your website when it’s purpose changes. This week’s music by Joe Jackson and E’Nuff Z’Nuff.