Contest Of Challengers

SUCH A WARNING SIGN•A Challengers love letter to Silver Sprocket. •This week Challengers turns 18! Yikes. This shop is now nothing but attitude and angst. •Still having an impact. •One-star Yelp reviews. •R.I.P. Sam Kieth •Thanks, Patrons! ---------- Contest of Challengers #773 This episode is dedicated to Sam Kieth. Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Danhausen and Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol (with Danhausen) "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

PART OF THE JOB•Dal's C2E2 expectations. •The war in Iran's impact on Fantagraphics. •Delayed Lunar shipping again this week. •Latest hire Kate learns how to check-in new books. •Where Were You When? •Talking about DEAD TEENAGERS #1. ---------- Contest of Challengers #772 This episode is dedicated to Kat Abughazaleh. Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Danhausen and Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol (with Danhausen) "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

TRASH CULTURE•Patrick will never get the hang of the Manage Comics Reporting functions. •Dal's statues. •Ordering from 100% Soft. •The experience of using Content360 for social posts. •Lunar box depth: The pros and cons. •Storing next week's comics. •Spine creases on comics is TOTALLY NORMAL. ---------- Contest of Challengers #771 This episode is dedicated to Davey Bang and Auggie Matthews. Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Danhausen and Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol (with Danhausen) "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N We

IS THE LINE GOING UP OR DOWN?•When your job interrupts your job. •Our furnace. •Replica editions. •The return of Diamond? •Getting NARCO #1 into readers hands. •Ryan North is taking over writing duties on THE FLASH later this month, and it's GOOD! ---------- Contest of Challengers #770 This episode is dedicated to Team Guido! Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

MR. COMICS MANAGERWe tried to film this one, and as a result it chopped off a tiny bit at the start. There are some other… unexpected… elements to this episode, but it was meant to be a deep dive into our use of Manage Comics and what we hope to get from it. The episode starts and ends, as they usually do, with Patrick and Dal, but in the middle… well, you'll just have to listen for yourself…   ---------- Contest of Challengers #769 This episode is dedicated to Rob Grant. Smoke us a kipper, we'll be back for breakfast. Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ Th

OUR HERO LIVES FOREVER•R.I.P. Miguel. •Shopify 11.0 launched this week. •ChallengersComics.com overhaul! •Being a part of subscribers' lives. •Upcoming changes to our subscription delinquency policy. •Feb 25 New Releases = 186 different single issue covers. •PRH Split Notices. •Pokemon pre-allocation. •DC Announcements: DC Silver Age Covers & Stories Artists Edition; Barbara Gorgon Breakout; The Deadman; Teen Titans.   ---------- Contest of Challengers #768 This episode is dedicated to the "The Angel" Miguel Fajardo. Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/

AN ABSOLUTE CLUSTER•This year's Sale is already a success(ish). •The rising prices of tote bags. •Action figure shipping costs! •UPS will hopefully stop f-ing up our weeks! •Like! Subscribe! Patreon…? •35 DC Absolute reprints to be released on the SAME DAY! •The Superman/Spider-Man vs Spider-Man/Superman Final Order nonsense. •You should subscribe to NARCO #1! •Shout out to BOOM! Studios' Bryce Carlson!   ---------- Contest of Challengers #767 This episode is dedicated to the Baddest Man in AEW, Brody King. Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode w

WORTH INVESTIGATING•DSTLRY is taking a publishing break. •Displaying vinyl records like displaying back issues.  •ONI Press is changing distributors! •Another disappointing round of Magic the Gathering allocations. •Our beloved Stocky app is being sunset by Shopify.   This episode is dedicated to Jason Ladanye's boot zipper. ---------- Contest of Challengers #766 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersCom

7-ELEVEN (TO-7-FROM-11)•Ordering higher on new books than 2025. •IRON MAN #1 is a good comic! •7-11!  •Consignment issues. •Collecting comic art we're on. •Thanks, Patrons! •Standardized comic data. •Hirayasumi is a delightful manga!   This episode is dedicated to Our Pal Sal, Sal Buscema. Thank you, Sal. Tell John we miss him. ---------- Contest of Challengers #765 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • Challengers

ALEX ROSS-ING•Challengers 2026 Field Trip #2 to the Dunn Museum in Libertyville to see the Alex Ross Heroes & Villains exhibit! •We also stopped at Comic Buying Center and, well, bought comics! •UPS screws up our Thursday and Friday AGAIN. •We're selling C2E2 tickets this year (for the first time since 2022). •Patrick caught up on 17 issues of Moon Knight last Sunday! They were so fun! •We've got a bunch of fun events planned thru May! •Abandoned Sale t-shirts.   This episode is dedicated to Renée Good.---------- Contest of Challengers #764 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnu

DEEP INTO IT•2 more DC Next Level titles announced. •How many Marvel and DC titles from July 2021 are still being published today? •Avengers #800's middle pages. •MSN's "15 Best Comic Shops…" •PLEASE read your emails. We said please. •USPS and UPS accountability changes (actually, I think we only talk about UPS; I think we never got to USPS) •MSI's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing exhibit.   This episode is dedicated to the Museum of Science + Industry.---------- Contest of Challengers #763 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by

THE PERFECT STORE•New Comic release day and time. •The return of Christmas Crisis in 2026…? •The Chicago Bag Tax increases again this year. •MS Office changes; higher price! Less features! It's the way of the world today! •Shelving GN's. •Oh, to have a bigger store… •Fill-in creators vs skip months. •Single issues + collections vs original graphic novels. •If every distributor had every publisher, who would we buy from?   This episode is dedicated to Hiroshi Tanahashi. Thank you, Ace.---------- Contest of Challengers #762 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro: James VanOsdol (with Chris Jericho) Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue Marasciulo (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/

99.6% ACCURATE•Dal immediately wants to talk about AEW's World's End pay-per-view, but Patrick gets him back on-track after 2 minutes… •The words are just garbage. •How Dal is collating our end-of-2025 best-sellers data. •The Shopify Apps we add-on to our service. •Thanks, Patrons! •Patrick attempts to close the chapter on our secret window art artist, but Dal throws him a curveball.   This episode is dedicated to watching football with Ryan & Carrie Browne?---------- Contest of Challengers #761 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Bella Spagnuolo https://bellaspagnuoloart.myportfolio.com/ This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + C

PREMIUM READING EXPERIENCE•ARUNE SINGH returns to CoC almost exactly 5 years after his last appearance! •Action figures? Wrestling? COMICS? Yup, we talk about ALL OF THEM! •Chasing the Shiny Penny! •Strap in, this one is hefty! •Bonus holiday song "Unwrapped You" by The Divorce Gun!   This episode is dedicated to Rob Reiner and all the joy he brought to our lives.---------- Contest of Challengers #760 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ---------- Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

HILARIOUSLY MISGUIDED•Chicago's weather is not helping our Holiday sales… •The rise and rise of Absolute Batman. •Shopify sales channel issues. •Thanks, Patrons! •BS email marketing (with examples!!). •AI 'upgrades' to Shopify. •Our utility bills are skyrocketing. •Superman/Spider-Man, March 25, 2026!   This episode is dedicated to working together.---------- Contest of Challengers #759 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

IT'S ON THE BAG•It's a Thanksgiving miracle! •Minor distribution issues, per usual. •Our Corpse Tour re-cap. •The 2026 Angoulême International Comics Festival is on hold! •Would you want a video component to this podcast? •Daily (Wednesday) average transaction total. •Spending money on branded bags, boxes, and tape. •We'll miss you, Linda Pine. •Holiday gift suggestions!   This episode is dedicated to Linda Pine.---------- Contest of Challengers #758 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

We're taking a break from the podcast after this episode. We will be back later in 2025, but we're not sure when, or how often. Thanks for your patience and for sticking with us! WHAT'S THE SCAM?•We do a lot of movie promotion for just about everybody that asks. •New Ennis/Epting graphic novel, PARTISAN! •We still don't really back Kickstarter projects. •Special orders from long ago that will never fill. •Shipping issues abound in the real world. •Why Priority Mail shipping is hardly worth it. •An increase in fraudulent web orders! •Comic news featuring Scarlet Witch and the Amazing Spider-Man.   This episode is dedicated to the badlands.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #757 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Tr

AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT•Halloween is just an excuse to talk about the Monster Cereal Mascots! •Corpse Tour guy deserves more than YOU! •Thanks, Patrons! •Funding offers. •The cost of store exclusive covers. •A new printing of an old Patrick comic book project. •When we used to exhaust ourselves hosting events.   This episode is dedicated to giving everyone the same experience.---------- This episode was not digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #756 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

DAY 6,417It's Exhausting to Exist in That Space (alternate episode title) •Going to cons as kids vs going now. •The 6,417th day of Challengers and what that means for Patrick! •The earlier days of Challengers. •The end of Diamond Previews. •We are locked out of our Diamond account (for all that matters). •DC Comics is currently more additive to the industry than any other publisher. •James Tynnion IV is coming to Challengers in less than 2 weeks!   This episode is dedicated to all 6,416 previous days!---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #755 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol "Patrick" Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol "Dal" Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challenger

SEVERAL POINTS OF ALIGNMENT•Airport chat! But only the first part; we’re back in the Podcastitorium ™ for most of the episode. •No name calling. •Digital marketing mail. •NYCC purchases •DC Next Level   This episode is dedicated to NO KINGS!---------- This episode was partially digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #754 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com