
From Challengers Comics + Conversation in Chicago, this is Contest of Challengers, a podcast about the business of running a comics shop. From publishers to distributors to the sales floor itself, each episode deals with the issues of the week and how they affect the way Challengers conducts business, and that includes the actual comic book issues themselves. Hosted by Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bu... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 796 | Founded | 17 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | EntrepreneurshipArtsBooksBusiness | |||

SAME-DAY LOCAL DELIVERY!!•We test out our new Same-Day Local (Chicagoland) Delivery Service! •The 'whys' and 'hows' of wanting local delivery. •So many upcoming events!! •Shout out to NotSoFunnyBooks on IG. •Never respond to the comments, Patrick. --... more
MY NORMAL STATE IS "F" THOSE GUYS•Positive Marvel changes for retailers! MIDNIGHT bundles, discounts & lit sign! Updated Foil Cover pricing! Possible cover letters…? •A Marvel x Star Wars crossover mini-series for 2027! •The continual Warren Ellis pr... more
PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE IS MY DEFAULT•We do not ship comic storage boxes. •A long Yelp review story. •Pokemon bros. •Contest of Challengers passed our 17th Podcastiversary!! •Marvel Compact Comics?!? ---------- Contest of Challengers #792 This episode is ... more
GET TO THE FIREWORKS FACTORY•Unpacking some questionable comics. •Batman Day 2026! •Upcoming events, plus a tease! •Cakeworthy. •Upcoming exterior transformation. •End-of-the-year ordering structure. •Comics talked about in this episode: SIX OF US #1... more
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Great podcast! Always a weekly must listen.
Great podcast! Always a weekly must listen.
While I do enjoy seeing how the sausage is made from time to time. I was hoping this would be more of a weekly review of new issues pod. I got to visit the store very briefly Wednesday when you had Daniel Warren Johnson in and it’s definitely worth a extended visit
I really think they should retire, they clearly hate their customers and their life choices in owning a comic store. I couldn’t imagine giving a penny to these whiny crybabies. These two wouldn’t survive one day doing a real job.
They keep blocking this review to boost their show. Bad show AND corrupt!
This was third episode where the two complainers spoiled a new release with no warning. I’m so tired of them assuming everyone reads every single new release by 5pm Wednesday. Ruined stories for me, and on top of that all they do is whine about customers that pay their bills. Done with this weekly hour long crybaby show.
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Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
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Contest of Challengers centers on the business side of running a bricks-and-mortar comics shop. Episodes explore inventory systems, pre-orders, pricing strategies, signings, and the shifting dynamics with publishers, distributors, and customers. The hosts share blunt, hands-on experiences from their Chicago shop, offering practical, no-nonsense guidance for retailers, creators, and aspiring shop owners alike. A standout angle is the emphasis on sustainable, community-driven retail in a crowded market, with frequent focus on operations, economics, and the human side of customer service. This mix of inside-baseball retail insights, industry context, and shop-floor anecdotes helps listeners understand how a small business navigates logistics, ... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Contest of Challengers:
1. Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast
2. Comic Industry Insiders
3. iFanboy - Comic Books
4. Robservations with Rob Liefeld
5. Free With Ads
Contest of Challengers launched 17 years ago and published 796 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Contest of Challengers include:
1. Mars Junior
2. Brandon T. Snyder
3. Dan Waters
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