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Grumpy helps a reader choose the best hydrangea for their hometown. Plus, Grumpy’s gripe of the week. You can find us online at southernliving.com/askgrumpy Ask Grumpy Credits: Steve Bender aka The Grumpy Gardener - Host Nellah McGough - Co-Host Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…
From Challengers Comics + Conversation in Chicago, this is CONTEST OF CHALLENGERS, a comics industry business podcast about the business of running a comic book store. Hosted by Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush. Challengers • 1845 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 • 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com
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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 sou…
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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 birt…
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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…
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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 w…
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THIS IS DUMB, JUST, PERIOD.•Free Comic Book Day week prep. •Upcoming events! •Now that BOOM! Is distributed by Penguin Random House… •New Comic Book Day constant shipping woes. •Every month keeps getting bigger for Godzilla! •Scholastic, one more publisher Diamond has just stopped supplying. •Comics talked about in this episode: SUPERGIRL #1 ULTIMA…
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IS THIS WHAT RESPECT FEELS LIKE?•Dal already has thoughts for next year’s C2E2! •It’s our C2E2 2025 recap episode! It was a pretty great show and got us more excited to be doing what we do. •Who we met/talked to! •Dal’s Dan Mora story! •Patrick’s first-ever CGC grading experience. •Diamond Comic Distributors has an official, legal buyer. •Our cloud…
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Contest of Challengers
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ABSOLUTE UNITS OF DESTRUCTION (with MORGAN PERRY)
1:24:19
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ABSOLUTE UNITS OF DESTRUCTION•Patrick is joined by MORGAN PERRY, Marketing Manager at Square Enix, Inc. •Square Enix has a new program for comic shops, Comic Partner, and Morgan is here to tell us about it! •Getting manga into the hands of manga fans new and old! •Upcoming manga series you cannot miss! •Morgan’s email: mperry@us.square-enix.com (fo…
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Contest of Challengers
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IT’S NOT LIKE YOU’RE CONFUSING THE CHILDREN
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IT’S NOT LIKE YOU’RE CONFUSING THE CHILDREN•Tariffs in comics. •Dal’s take on Lost Fantasy #1. •Cover designs. •The closure of ThingsFromAnotherWorld .com. •Thanks, Patrons! •Publishers missing from Diamond. •Updating Sidekicks! This episode is dedicated to IKEA Kallax shelving. ---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How’d it s…
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Contest of Challengers
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APOLOGIZING FOR THINGS NOT OUR FAULT
1:07:29
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APOLOGIZING FOR THINGS NOT OUR FAULT•Trying to buy a Will Ospreay print by Rob Schamberger. •MORE problems with Lunar shipments! •MORE problems with Diamond shipments! •2 annoying online transactions (one eBay, one Challengers). •Alliance Entertainment enters into an agreement to purchase Diamond Comic Distributors! What do we know about Alliance? …
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RELIABLY FRUSTRATING•Next week is maybe the biggest New Release week we’ve ever had, in both quantity and dollar amount. •Lunar shortages! •Quantity limits. •Lunar growing pains. •Marvel’s “new” ideas. •The return of Adventure Time comics. •The soap opera that is Void Rivals. •Comics talked about in this episode: ABSOLUTE FLASH #2 DARK REGARDS #1 P…
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Contest of Challengers
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I’M SURE YOU’RE GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THIS
1:06:47
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I’M SURE YOU’RE GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THIS •The next few weeks of New Releases are MASSIVE. •What we’re looking forward to at C2E2. •Gabi Mendez signing recap! •An upcoming art show. •Comics talked about in this episode: FIRE AND ICE WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER #1 HARLEY QUIN FARTACULAR SILENT BUTT DEADLY #1 This episode is dedicated to meals with good f…
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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 EVE…
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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:…
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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 episod…
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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. Ho…
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Contest of Challengers
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INTRODUCING UNCERTANTY TO THE PROCESS
1:03:38
1:03:38
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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 U…
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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 …
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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…
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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 Thi…
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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 …
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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 …
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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 soun…
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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. ---…
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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, Ch…
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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, Christophe…
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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 goo…
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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 #712By Challengers Comics
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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 #711By Challengers Comics
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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…
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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 ep…
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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 i…
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MEGAFORCE •Absolute Batman #1 is a HUGE, thikk-thighed hit! •It’s all about the BOOM (Tube)! •Aimee Garcia and AJ Mendez are coming (or, were here, by the time you hear this)! •Something about wrestling fans… •Thank you, Samantha/Welcome back, Donovan. •NYCC announcements (as of Thursday). •Comic talked about in this episode: GI JOE #1This episode …
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CHANGING THE CALCULUS•A broken frame. •Dal’s Manage Comics Vision Board (TM). •Website search bars. •Dal is unqualified to sell comics. •Comic shop theft. •The high rent of modern retail. •Super-fun upcoming events! •Our preferable comic book publishing format? This episode is dedicated to Mike Norton’s first Richie Kotzen concert. Contest of Chall…
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WE JUST DO WHAT WE DO •September 2024 sales. •The difference between different distributors’ invoicing. •Stocky importing (and what is Stocky). •Burnt out on too many comics. •Hand-selling is getting harder. •Thanks, Patrons! •The new lights are all installed!Contest of Challengers #705 This episode is dedicated to Patrick’s brother George and his …
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LET THERE BE LIGHT •Online credit/Pokemon kids. •We have (many but not all) new lights! •How was Batman Day 2014? •Dal talks about the Chicago White Sox a little bit more than Patrick wants him to. •No change in our weekly delivery date woes.•Comics talked about in this episode: ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1 DAY OF THE DEAD GIRL #1 TITANS #16 DETECTIVE …
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CLIFFORD T. JUMPER •Patrick is (was) on WGN Spotlight Chicago. •Breaking our Manga section into Genres. •Another week of Lunar woes.•Comics talked about in this episode: BATMAN & ROBIN YEAR ONE #1 BLACK CANARY BEST OF THE BEST #1 GODZILLA MONSTERPIECE THEATRE #1Contest of Challengers #703By Challengers Comics
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FUNGIBLE •Surge pricing. •Non-consecutive artists. •Good relationships with your USPS/UPS/FED EX delivery people. •Printer delays. •September sales slump. •The $2 Million copy of Fantastic Four #1.•Comics talked about in this episode: ABSOLUTE POWER #4 DC ALL IN ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1Contest of Challengers #702…
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DAL CHOSE IT •No cookies?!? •Updating the public. •A lunar eclipse. •The McDonalds bonus play. Contest of Challengers #701By Challengers Comics
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34>700 •Episode 700 coincides with Patrick’s 34th Comic Retail Anniversary! •No, our Challengers Choice counter dump does not hold free comics. •A deep dive into the emails we send every month. •Book market shipment packing has not gotten any better. •Thanks, Patrons!•DC Comics’ new Compact Comics standing display. •Losing a mail order subscriber.C…
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“HEL-LO. DAN-YELL?” •Consulting? •Retailers talk, but do they listen? •Advice on opening a comic shop. •Unpopular opinion time! •Cover design fun! •Power Fantasy #1 is STILL so good! •DC’s Compact Comics commercial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yklMO_mPRoI •Apple wants our Patreon money! Contest of Challengers #699…
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THE BREAK-UP SONG •Little Golden Books. •3 new DC titles for November. •Checking in on From The Ashes sales. •Marvel Unlimited. •So many Batmans. •The Challengers Book Club. •Comic talked about in this episode: THE MOON IS FOLLOWING US #1 Contest of Challengers #698By Challengers Comics
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PROMOTIONAL MUSCLE •Sponsors! •Inventory needs to be synched.•A Manage Comics correction.•So many new #1 issues per week.•Promotional muscle.•Snap-It’s! Contest of Challengers #697By Challengers Comics
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IT’S NOT IN MY DNA •July 2024 sales vs July 2023 sales. •The worst team in baseball.•Comparing our ordering vs another store.•Foil cover pricing.•Comics talked about in this episode: ZERO HOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1 AUTUMN KINGDOM #1 JENNY SPARKS #1 STANDSTILL #1 DC VS VAMPIRES WORLD WAR V #1Contest of Challengers #696…
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CONNECTIONSorry, but this episode was recorded in the car. It’s been a busy week and there was no other time to get together and do it. It’s also a little shorter than usual, so that’s strike 2. But we do manage to talk about some industry news (Marvel ramping up their QR page usage), some SDCC stories, and run down the full slate of DC Comics crea…
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COIL VOLTAGE •Zdarsky Comic News •Powerpuff Girls #1 is so much fun! •Giveaways being given to the right people. •ALL IN and Absolute DC.•A last-second security alarm call! Contest of Challengers #694By Challengers Comics
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FOR STABILITY REASONS •How the video game Zenless Zone Zero is like working in a comic shop.•BIG Manage Comics update! •Gettin’ them ducts cleaned!•DSTLRY leaves Lunar for Diamond!•We actually like Lunar as a comic distribution company.•Penguin Random House buys BOOM! Studios!•When publishers reuse terminology, such as “absolute” or “ultimate”. Con…
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IT’S NOT AN ERA •Challengers Shelf Sponsorship is live! https://challengerscomics.com/products/shelf-sponsorship •The Future of The X-Men starts Now!•Thanks, Patrons!•Comics talked about in this episode: X-MEN #1 POWER FANTASY #1, #2 NICE HOUSE BY THE SEA #1 RED BEFORE BLACK #1 KILL ALL IMMORTALS #1, #2Contest of Challengers #692…
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IT’S JUST NOISE •The new weekly delivery schedule for new comics. •Marvel’s stealth release of Moon Knight Fist of Khonshu #0. •DC’s confidence in Absolute Power #2? •Notable, non-product specific challenges. •Shopify’s 150+ updates.•Diamond’s new Fandomworld. •Our products in someone else’s (non-comic) shopContest of Challengers #691…
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“SOMETHING SPECIAL IS COMING” •July 3rd is going to be a very small week of new comics. •Tipping. •Marvel has quietly ended/is ending several series. •Strange Tales Marvel Legends. •SAGA, now in a smaller collection format. •Frustrations when ordering from incomplete solicitations. •Upcoming comics for September. •Other media writers writing comics…
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TO FACILITATE BEAUTIFICATION •Advance PDF’s from BOOM! Studios and Image. •Shelf Sponsorship—more details! •Website Changes? Dark Mode! •Cute Animal Videos •Rifters #1!•Manga Contest of Challengers #689By Challengers Comics
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