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Artwork for Contest of Challengers

Contest of Challengers

CHALLENGERS Comics + Conversation
Challengers Comics
Free Comic Book Day
Customer Service
Shipping
Signings At Challengers
Concrete
Challenge Comics + Conversation
Lunar Catalog
Credit Card Processing Fees
Penny (united States Currency)
Chicago
Yelp
Local Pickup
Daredevil
C2E2
DC Catalog
Bucktown, Chicago

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes796Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipArtsBooksBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Contest of Challengers

Latest Episodes

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mars Junior
Artist of Transformers Worst Spot Ever series
Challengers events
Episode: ACTIVELY MANAGING
Brandon T. Snyder
Creator of Nude to Two and Supergirls Family Adventures
Challengers events
Episode: ACTIVELY MANAGING
Dan Waters
Writer signing at Challengers
Challengers events
Episode: ACTIVELY MANAGING

Hosts

Patrick Brower
Host of Contest of Challengers; co-owner of Challengers Comics + Conversation in Chicago; focuses on the business side of running a shop.
W. Dal Bush
Co-host of Contest of Challengers; long-time retailer and operator of Challengers with a focus on operations and industry insights.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Great podcast! Always a weekly must listen.

    Podcast Addict
    radpuppy71
    4 years ago
  • Great podcast! Always a weekly must listen.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    radpuppy71
    4 years ago
  • I will give this a shot but

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saint sauces
    United States5 years ago
  • Spoilers and Complaining

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    College Student Loves This App
    United States5 years ago
  • Spoilers and Complaining

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    College Student Loves This App
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and hosts are considered insightful about the industry's business side.
Shows depth on comic retail realities and how to run a sustainable shop.
Many appreciate the practical, community-focused approach to comics retail.
Listeners praise insider angles on inventory, pre-orders, and signings.

Top Entrepreneurship Podcasts

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
InterestsProfessionsAge Range
Household IncomeSocial Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Contest of Challengers

What is Contest of Challengers about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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How many listeners does Contest of Challengers get?

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How many subscribers and views does Contest of Challengers have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Contest of Challengers?

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

How many episodes of Contest of Challengers are there?

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.

How do I contact Contest of Challengers?

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What guests have appeared on Contest of Challengers?

Recent guests on Contest of Challengers include:

1. Mars Junior
2. Brandon T. Snyder
3. Dan Waters

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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