Contest Of Challengers

This week, the microphone faces Dal so Patrick is a mere echo! We had to wait a full day to post this, our 5th CoC in as many weeks, because we went over our monthly-allotted storage space w/ Libsyn, but it’s not our fault; comics never stand still, baby! Also, “insert show content here.” Ha! That was a joke! We actually talk about not having to like comics, but WANTING to, the Creators Front for Diversity in Comics, and why we don't stock variant covers anymore. 

Hey kids, remember a thing called the Comics Code Authority? Well, it's dead and we can't seem to care. This week we talk about rating systems for comics, Once A Week (a new internet resource of creator-owned comic information), isocahedral comics, and so very much more. Also, Lady Gaga and Savage Dragon! Um, not "Lady Gaga AND Savage Dragon." Lady Gaga and also Savage Dragon.

Cullen Bunn. Brian Hurtt. The Sixth Gun. A thourough and comprehensive discussion on art and art galleries.

We're back in less than a week--someone call Guinness!  The world of comic book publishing never slows down, and neither does the news that comes out of it.  This episode Patrick and W. Dal talk about the editorial hierarchy at Marvel; all of the worthy candidates for 2 ComicsPRO industry awards; the return of letter columns, and more.  There is also a tribute to Y&T bassist Phil Kennemore, dueling Michael Caine impressions and Verizon iPhone talk in a record 20 minutes of after-podcast talk.  Oh, you’ll know when you’ve listened too long.

New Season! New Format!  It's 2.0, baby, and in this pilot episode, Patrick and W. Dal talk about getting a breather on Wednesday mornings, the viability of all-ages material in the direct market, the Architects, red rage and so much more.  Welcome back to the podcast you only thought you missed.  We're here to prove otherwise!

This episode, the recording, editing and posting, was the most time-consuming experience I have had yet with Contest of Challengers.  So much so that this is a completely different version that the one I just spent an extra hour re-editing.  As a result, I have nothing else to say here.

Triple trouble on this episode of Challengers, as Dal talks with comics couple Stien and Christian all about their history, their comics... and the horror of Rashida Jones' comic book.

Onrie Kompan joins Patrick this episode to tell all about the unbeatable warrior, Yi Soon Shin, to talk about digital devices, the Amazing Spider-Man and how an electronic community will never replace a physical, brick and mortar one.  At least we HOPE so... Also, as an added bonus, there's background noise (at the beginning)!  Yes!  The sounds of a busy comic store on a Wednesday.  You're welcome!

Dal talks to Jon M. about Doctor Who, The Return of Bruce Wayne, Wonder Woman #600 and other things all obtained legally.

Patrick is joined by Challenger-in-training KENT FREMON. Kent loves Grant Morrison's Batman and he's not afraid to tell you about it.  And Seaguy. And even some non-Morrison works, like Tales Designed to Thrizzle are discussed!   And cartoons.  Kent is also forced at virtual gunpoint to recommend something for you all to read.  And he does.  Good show, Kent!

This time out, Dal talks with RYAN VOSS about Amazing Spider-Man, John Constantine: Hellblazer, Amazing Spider-Man, Scalped, and Amazing Spider-Man again.  BONUS: Amazing Spider-Man discussion.

Everything old is new again this week as we welcome Jimmy PS Hayes to not only Contest of Challengers, but to Challengers in general!  Jimmy joins Patrick to discuss the figure-four leg-lock, paying people back, Robert Kirkman, the difference between the comics you read as a kid and the comics you want to own now, and Tom DeFalco.  They also do a quick C2E2 wrap-up and Patrick does a horrible impression of a former comic publisher.  Featuring W. Dal Bush and James Galinski.  

Grant Craig joins Patrick for Episode 23: "Black Metal Comics" in which the subject of 'black metal comics' never comes up.  Comics, sure, and a whole lot of music talk (some of it related to black metal but most geographically located in the Raleigh/Chapel Hill areas).  And while this is certainly a long one, Grant has a great ability to take Patrick's music segues and bring them back around to comics while keep the intened point.  Way to go, Grant!  I also feel the need to point out that my spellcheck is disabled and I feel completely lost without it.  So any spelling mistakes right here are the result of faulty technology and a grown man's terrible inability to spell.  Guest starring W. Dal Bush and Mike Lee!

Lord Farcus? Well, our guest this week is MARCUS FOSTER, but we never call him Lord Farcus.  I almost called this episode "Bananas Foster" but I don't call him that, either.  Anyway, join us as Patrick mumbles more than ever while he completely ruins the surprises of "Blackest Night" in a conversation where all the really good bits were cut out because we both name too many names. Yes, you get the second-rate version of the Marcus Foster interview right here!  Also, there are sound effects! Be worried.

Miss us?  Contest of Challengers is back, and this time we're talking with our own Christina Challenger about what she's reading and what she's looking forward to reading.  Also, the somewhat-declining physique of David Boreanez.  You totally missed us!

It's Christmas Eve Eve and we're in the middle of our 30-hours straight Christmas Crisis event.  Poor Donald Cardenas just wanted to pick up his weekly comics and suddenly he's talking to BOTH Patrick & Dal about older brothers who read comics, the Wolverine and plenty more!  And in an effort to get this out quick, NO EDITING!

Listener mail!  Sort of!  This episode, Dal responds to questions submitted through the Challengers website.  Well, "responds".  It's more like "digresses endlessly and misses the point", but, you know...

It's a disturbingly egocentric episode this time, as Patrick interviews… Patrick…?  Surprisingly, he has a lot to tell himself as he came prepared with a list of questions and did not try to answer them ahead of time.  And dig this… NO rambling! And for the first time, thanks to our pal Bob Burns of “The Divorce Gun,” we have a theme!

We keep it in the family this week as Patrick talks to the man who got him interested in comic books in the first place, his brother George Brower! Yes, the former Rumble Brotheres reunite before your very ears!  Find out what made George start reading comics, which comics and why in this trip down memory lane. George recounts what it was like to be the older brother while corrupting the mind of an innocent.  Ahhh, good times.

Got too many comics?  Patrick talks to Steve Davich about selling your comics on eBay!  Is it fun?  Is it worth it?  Will you make money?  Steve tells all!  They also talk about what got them reading in the first place and both men ramble and digress as much as you'd expect, even without the addition of alcohol.  Yes, really.