Contest of Challengers

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

CCC @ NYCC•Recorded entirely in New York City! •Very long car rides. •The Speech! •The rest of our New York Comic Con experiences. Mostly.    This episode is dedicated to the oldest and dearest of friends.---------- This episode was NOT digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #753 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

A SPEECH IS JUST TALKING•Barry Mindster and the bonkers emails we get. •Who is Laura Lympus? •We’re getting closer to having an actual plan for our New Your Comic Con •AEW + DC Comics = Our worlds colliding!! •Superman/Spiderman from DC and Marvel in 2026!   This episode is dedicated to always standing up for those that cannot stan up for themselves.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #752 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

ALL-MALE REVIEW•Droning on about the same topics! All deliveries all the time! •We’re heading to the New York Comic Con in 2 weeks! •It was a tiring Batman Day! •A 1-star review for not at all unrealistic entitled reasons! •We’ll be getting Image books 27 days before bookstores! •Comics talked about in this episode:      LUCKY DEVILS #5     SLEEP #5      VOYEUR #1   This episode is dedicated to playing the hits.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #750 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 JUST COMIC BOOKS•No podcasting backlash from last week. •Patrick was on WGN’s Spotlight Chicago this week for Batman Day! https://wgntv.com/news/celebrate-batman-day-with-challengers-comics/ •How DC Comics is hindering our Batman Day. •Deadpool/Batman! •Our (lack o)f Local Comic Shop Day plans. •An unsent email. •20 New #1’s for October 1st! •Having to drop a very delinquent subscriber.   This episode is dedicated to owning up to your mistakes.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #750 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

PUBLIC DISCOURSE•Hypothetical employee situations. •When our opinion doesn’t matter. •Red Hood #1. •Another celebrity drop-by!   This episode is dedicated to not using your words to hurt others.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #749 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 BEEN KNOWN FOR YEARS•DC KENNY OMEGA #1. •Challengers Blue. What If it survived? •The Jonas Brothers. •Thanks, Patrons! •Japanese Manga vs American Comics, via The Beat. •IDW Classics. •Fran’s Kitchen cookbook is in-stock! Support the Alzheimer’s Association! You can buy the cookbook on the Challengers website here: https://challengerscomics.com/products/frans-kitchen-cookbook And you can donate directly at https://act.alz.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20117b?px=10851299&fr_id=18580&pg=personal&NONCE_TOKEN=0C147D8B6AF658D9B4FA0012D177141A  This episode is dedicated to dilated pupils.---------- This episode was not digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #748 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

35 - 0•Lucy Knisley’s latest signing! •35 years. •Social media app changes. •Rethinking FOC’s. •Fran’s Kitchen cookbook is in-stock! Support the Alzheimer’s Association! You can buy the cookbook on the Challengers website here: https://challengerscomics.com/products/frans-kitchen-cookbook And you can donate directly at https://act.alz.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20117b?px=10851299&fr_id=18580&pg=personal&NONCE_TOKEN=0C147D8B6AF658D9B4FA0012D177141A  This episode is dedicated to what would have been GWB III’s 88th.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #747 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

Show less This episode was erroneously not posted last week! SORRY!! That means there will be TWO episodes posted within 24 hours! (Thanks for the heads up, Andrew!) BLIND AS A BAG•Last week’s Yelp review is gone. •Bags of Blindness! INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE PRESENTS BATTLE BEAST #1, BATMAN #1 Blind as a Bat, DC K.O. #1 Lights Out, ULTIMATE ENDGAME #1 True Believers. •Bar codes on covers. •Compact Comics on fire! •Black Ninja comics! •Celebrity interaction in the comic shop. •Fran’s Kitchen cookbook is in-stock! Support the Alzheimer’s Association! You can buy the cookbook on the Challengers website here: https://challengerscomics.com/products/frans-kitchen-cookbook And you can donate directly at https://act.alz.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20117b?px=10851299&fr_id=18580&pg=personal&NONCE_TOKEN=0C147D8B6AF658D9B4FA0012D177141A  This episode is dedicated to polypropylene.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #746 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ---------- Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

WE’VE COMPLETELY FAILED•Changes to the Patreon website (and declined pledges). •App interaction. •A completely insane Yelp review. •Card game allocations. •The American Joshi + the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! •Batman Deadpool looks so fun!! •Fran’s Kitchen cookbook is in-stock! Support the Alzheimer’s Association! You can buy the cookbook on the Challengers website or you can donate directly at rememberingfrances.com  This episode is dedicated to Frances.---------- This episode was not digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #745 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF EXISTENCE•Welcome back to us! •Don’t skip reading Supergirl! It’s so fun! •Customer outreach (via emails). •Where Monsters Lie vol 3 Dead End, and how you can get it! •Shopify’s email interface is… lacking… •Some big events are coming to Challengers this Fall! •Our non-existent Diamond orders. •Thanks, Patrons! •Opening new accounts at new-to-us distributors. •More like NO-kemon cards, amirite??  This episode is dedicated to all the cyborbs.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #744 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

“MITCHELL!”•Patrick is joined by Mitchell Davies of All Star Comics in Melbourne, Australia! •How can 2 stores 15,570 kilometers apart have the exact same experiences selling comics? •2 Will Eisner “Spirit of Comics” Retailer Award recipients! •Which store has the better All-Ages section? •How GHOSTBUSTERS brought the stores together. •All Star predominantly sells American comics, so how do they get them? •Working with the same distributors from very different distances.  This episode is dedicated to 9,675.05 miles.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #743 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 ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

YOU HAVE MORE VALUE THAN THIS•The 200th Anniversary of the first comic book? •Marvel’s 616 Day. •The Golden Biscuit of Adventure Comics #210. •Problems for IDW. •Zenescope leaves Diamond. •What we’ve never received from Diamond. •Comics talked about in this episode:      SUPERMAN TREASURY EDITION 2025     NEW HISTORY OF THE DCU #1      GOTHAM CITY SIRENS UNFIT FOR ORBIT #1      EXQUSITE CORPSES #3  This episode is dedicated to The Glasgow Looking Glass.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #742 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

HOW TO MEET THE MOST AMOUNT OF NEEDS•Magic the Gathering: Final Fantasy and the wave of unmeetable collector demand. •Prioritizing the in-store experience. •Back issue bundles! •Gehenna Naked Aggression’s printing issue. •No more Marvel Masterworks? •How the 1999 manga “The Future I Saw” is currently effecting Japanese tourism. •Getting a credit line from a comic distributor. •Sourcing comic supplies from Lunar. •Warner Bros Discovery splits in 2!  This episode is dedicated to a 45+ year-old office desk that lived a very full life.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #741 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

DIAMONDS AREN’T FOREVER•Childhood toy line nostalgia into today’s comic publishing. •Literally half of this episode is about action figures. Be warned. •An “important” Diamond update!  This episode is dedicated to Mark & Jasmine.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #740 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

HOW DEEP OF A WELL•We press “record” in the middle of a conversation about just-announced Marvel Legends figures from a Hasbro livestream.   •Morgan Perry is the BEST! •A duct-cleaning coincidence. •Thanks, Patrons! •Deadpool/Batman! •The strength of the market for the late summer. •Thank you, Peter David.  This episode is dedicated to a little Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo! ---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #739 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

THINK OF THINGS TO THINK OF•A week of repairs for the Podcastitorium! •July's Lunar orders are due when?!? •Ad Populum officially owns Diamond. •BLADES OF FURRY signing recap. •Mission Impossible Final Reckoning giveaway swag!  This episode is dedicated to doing your own stunts ---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #738 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

A CODEFIED STRUCTURE•Paper vs PDF •Using physical catalogs when ordering. •Receiving stock from Scholastic. •Comics talked about in this episode:      GHOST PEPPER #1      SIXTH GUN ROAD TO THE SIXTH #0      OUT OF ALCATRAZ #3      ROBIN & BATMAN JASON TODD #1      JL VS GODZILLA VS KONG II #1      GODDAMN TRAGEDY #1      MOMMY BLOG  This episode is dedicated to Dal’s mom’s 80th birthday!---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #737 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

NOT A PATH TO FOLLOW•Website tweaks and notifications. •Searching PRH for “I Am a Hero.” •Details of our Career Day at a local elementary school. •Free Comic Book Day wrap-up. •The Chillin’ Like a Villain Art Show opening! •Comic talked about in this episode:      EXQUISITE CORPSES #1  This episode is dedicated to the darker seid of love. ---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #736 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, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

A WEEK IN THE DAY•No more “Charles” at the bank! •Forgetting subscribers’ names. •A mystery box of comics from Lunar! •MORE shortages from Lunar this week!! •Thanks, Patrons! •The FCBD Comic Shop Crawl. •Career Day! •Diamond has finally been sold! Probably.  This episode is dedicated to teachers and their infinite patience. ---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it sound? Contest of Challengers #735 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