Contest Of Challengers

THE BULLSEYE OF BULLSEYES •Godzilla vs Chicago, one week later. •New Dark Horse graphic novels immediately unavailable. •Andrea Bell signing recap! •”Reducing complexity.” •Diamond bankruptcy notices. •DTC podcast invite. •Comic talked about in this episode:      ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #1     ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1      FREE PLANET #1      ASSORTEED CRISIS EVENTS #1 This episode is dedicated to being Satanized.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #727 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

VALIDABLE •ComicsPRO Annual Meeting part 2! •Batman H2SH. Pronounced “huh-toosh” •Back to ComicsPRO news! •GODZILLA! •Dal vs the MCU. •Comic talked about in this episode:      BATMAN #157 This episode is dedicated to Michelle Trachtenburg.---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #726 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

ALL BUSINESS •This IS a business podcast, after all. •It’s Tax Time (never to be confused with “Toni Time”)! •Paying vendors. •ComicsPRO news (of which there is little when we recorded). •Comic talked about in this episode:      ABSOLUTE FLASH #1 This episode is dedicated to all the hard workers of the ComicsPRO Annual Conference. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #725 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

SALE APPARENT •Distribution shipping schedules. •How did the 2025 “I Love You But I’ve Chosen Comics” sale do for us? •Shopify user permissions. •BONUS: Dal’s favorite local chicken take-out restaurants. This episode is dedicated to chicken, in all its delicious, edible forms. ---------- This episode was NOT edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #724 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

INTRODUCING UNCERTANTY TO THE PROCESS •Sacrificers #13 shortage and what Lunar did about it. •Upcoming bookmark! •More publishers abandoning Diamond. •DSTLRY’s digital collectibles. •A new/current Shopify headache. •Comics talked about in this episode:      I WAS A FASHION SCHOOL SERIAL KILLER #1     LOST FANTASY #1, #2, #3      WE’RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US #1 This episode is dedicated to diversity. And we’ll celebrate it forever. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #723 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersCo

THE KYLE-VERSE with KYLE HIGGINS •It’s an extra-special, extra-long episode featuring KYLE HIGGINS (and Andrew Challenger)!! •Image’s MASSIVE-VERSE is a universe within itself featuring Radiant Black, Rogue Sun, Super-Massive, Inferno Girl Red, No/One, and more, and Kyle tells us ALL about it! •RADIANT BLACK #31 is the prefect jumping on point and is available to order from Challengers (or any local comic shop) RIGHT NOW! •Did you know Kyle blew Challengers up in the pages of Nightwing? And he ALMOST did it again during Radiant Black’s ‘Catalyst War’! What did we ever do to YOU, Kyle?!? (Don’t answer that). •It’s a double-length interview and you’re getting it almost a week early (just to make sure you have enough time to add Radiant Black #31 and Rogue Sun #25 to your subscriptions! (CoC Episode #723 will out on its regularly scheduled release date of Feb 10th) This episode is dedicated to John Sykes. Long may he shred in eternity. Say “Hi” to Phil for me! ---------- This episode was edited and trans

NO SAFETY NET •How much does our Sale T-Shirt cost? •Small week of releases for the week of our Sale. •One World Under Doom vs X-Manhunt. •Patrick is a "Top 30 Women to Look Out For in 2025" candidate! •What does Diamond’s Chapter 11 filing mean for Challengers? •A last second BOOM! Announcement!•Comics talked about in this episode:      BUG WARS #1, #2      FREE FOR ALL #1      MINE IS A LONG, LONESOME GRAVE #1 This episode is dedicated to the Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #721 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chic

CONCIERGE SERVICE •Shopify God Mode. •Inventory reconciliation. •Lucky Devils signing (and 2 upcoming signings). •Ratioed bookplates. •Chicago Box Co price increase. •Decreasing Image discounts. •Cleanvoice results from last week. •Comics talked about in this episode:      OUT OF ALCATRAZ #1, #2      GODZILLA HEIST #1      ZATANNA #1      ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #1 This episode is dedicated to the birthdays of Karen Davison, Jamie Lamb, and Maria Palmer. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #720 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.01

COMMUNITY INREACH•NOT recorded in a car! •Community outreach and fan base cultivation. •Store eras. 5, maybe? •Challengers adages.•Comic talked about in this episode:      ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #1 This episode is dedicated to big red “Record” and “Stop” buttons that are too easy to press by accident. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #719 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

MINUS FIVE •No more subscription discount! •The Amalgam allocation. •2024 Sales info! •Our Best Sellers of 2024. •The Saga subscriber epidemic.•Thanks, Patrons! This episode is dedicated to The Big Fat Quiz. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #718 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

YOU ARE A FIXTURE •New Release List nonsense. •Your gifts to us. •December sales, thus far. •POP vinyl ordering. •Barnes & Noble’s impact.•Lucky Devils #1 signing event! •We’re just normal men. •’Twas the Night Before… This episode is dedicated to 1 year without my Dad. ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #717 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

POKING AROUND THE BACK END •Christmas sales daze. •Knocking on the doorway of delinquency. •Financial mishmash. •Poking around the back end. •The same update on Diamond Comic Distributors.•Dal’s New Release videos. •I didn’t take notes for this section.•Upcoming financial changes. This episode is dedicated to Irish Christmas trees of the North.  ---------- This episode was edited and transcribed by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #716 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

THE ONGOING SAGA•An update on Diamond Comic Distributors.•(Lack of) SAGA for 2024. •Firing subscribers.•Loyality/Points programs.•Holiday restock. This episode is dedicated to the song “On The Loose” by SAGA. ---------- Contest of Challengers #715 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON?•Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld.•A week without Diamond. •Thanks, Patrons!•Ireland. •Spoiler. Not as in we can’t tell you, as in the Go-Bot. This episode is dedicated to Guinness. ---------- Contest of Challengers #714Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent’s Mom), RJ City, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent’s Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

KEEPING IT MIDWESTPatrick is out of the country! Dal is stuck doing all the work! So that means... Guest Hosts!! •Who are this episode’s guest hosts?•How did they discover Challengers? •What are things like where they’re at?•In front of the divider aka pull bag (bag?) discussion. •Comics they love.•Comic talked about: THE SEASONS #1•How to be a good shopper  Thanks for listening! Keep Reading Comics! This episode is dedicated to 8-hour international flights.

INTERNET FAMOUS •No more Samsung Podcasts. •Toy shopping around town. •Your children’s names. •The Feral World Tour event. •Holiday recommendations!•Comic talked about in this episode:      NEW GODS #1  This episode is dedicated to Dal’s birthday. Contest of Challengers #712

OPTIMISM?? •The B.O.I. Report. •Dated periodicals. •Optimism? From US?? •Dividers. •DOOM!  This episode is dedicated to how unsettling Chris Evans looks with normal proportions. Contest of Challengers #711

BLOOD IN THE TITLE •Controlling your reactions. •This week’s New Release videos. •DC’s initial wave of Absolute #1’s are all out. •Comic book elections. •BOOM! (and Oni) press releases for the week. •Comparing another shop’s invoice (again). This episode is dedicated to Florence Pugh. Contest of Challengers #710

FEEDING FRENZY •The long reach of Absolute Batman #1. •New website single-issue buying limits (and why). •LUCKY DEVILS #1 (by Ryan Browne and Charles Soule) is a really fun new comic!! •Thanks, Patrons! •The ongoing struggle for Pre-Orders. •The Fan Confidence Rating (via Prana DMS and Manage Comics). •Publisher Zoom meetings for retailers. This episode is dedicated to Halloween candy. Contest of Challengers #709

THEMATIC HEFT •Graphic Novels based off of bands. •Out-of-print graphic novels. •X-Books sales check-in! •Collector mentality. •How the Day of the Dead Gil Signing went. •Daimond warehouse reduction. •Diamond replenishment shipping. •Marvel FOC’s thru January 2025. •Comics talked about in this episode:      CALAVERA P.I. #1      DUST TO DUST #1This episode is dedicated to Chris McCausland’s amazing Strictly performances, thus far. Contest of Challengers #708