About Us

SKYWARD • ACTION COMICS • MISTER MIRACLE • BLACK HAMMER

NEW RELEASES FOR 04.18.18

RETROSPECTIVE/RELEASE PARTY • Saturday, April 21st, 5-9pm

SPECULATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

SKYWARD • ACTION COMICS • MISTER MIRACLE • BLACK HAMMER

NEW RELEASES FOR 04.18.18

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About Us

Challengers Comics + Conversation was opened on March 31, 2008 by Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush. Since then, they've been honored not just to be the recipients of awards like Best Comics Shop (Chicago Reader, 2010) and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award (2013), but to be the local comics shop of some enthusiastic comics fans.

Challengers Comics + Conversation
1845 N. Western Ave., Suite 2R
Chicago, IL 60647

In Bucktown
1/2 block South of Western & Milwaukee
Across the street (south) from the Western Blue Line Station and the #49 bus stop.

Store Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11:00 - 7:00
Sat - Sun: 11:00 - 5:00

E-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Call us at 773-278-0155

We do not purchase personal collections of comic books, graphic novels, action figures, trading cards, sports cards or statues.

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

For those looking to keep an in-store standing order for comics, we offer a free subscription service. It's pretty straight-forward: 10% off anything you preorder, no deposit, no minimum. You can view a copy of our subscription sign-up sheet by clicking the icon below.

LOCAL ARTIST CONSIGNMENT

We stock a variety of books by local artists on a consignment basis. If you're interested in having us stock your book, you can view a copy of our consignment form by clicking the icon below.

Store photos from July 2017 by Megan Byrd. www.meganbyrdphotography.com

The chance to talk about the wonders of the comics medium with like-minded customers has grown the roster of Challengers with some engaging and knowledgeable volunteers. Click on the pictures below to learn more about the staff that helps make Challengers what it is.

First Appearance: March 31st, 2008 - Patrick Brower has spent years refining and honing his comic retail expertise (he calls the process "refoning", possibly trademarked), and he's put all his lessons learned to work for Challengers. If you need someone at a comic store to be able to go from amiable to gregarious straight on through to winning, all while divining the book you've needed your whole life without realizing it, Patrick's your guy.
First Appearance: March 31st, 2008 - The cold, calculating machine-brain of Challengers, Dal's professional demeanor hides a heart that runs almost entirely on comics and graphic novels. In the trenches of comics retail for almost as long as Patrick, Dal's ready to debate the merits of today's most acclaimed creators and point out the hidden gems of the past. He also occasionally smiles. I saw it once. I think.
First Appearance: October 11th, 2008 - The longest-running currently active Challenger, Sam makes up for her long-term dedication with short-term breaks away from Challengers. Or, should that be the other way around? Either way, we're happy she can spare some time for us between manga-and-Korean-teen-drama fueled hibernations.
First Appearance: October 30th, 2008 - Reactivated after months spent living a normal, non-comics-retail life, Ashly returns to Challengers like one of those assassins in the Bourne movies, but less "KILL" and more "HAVE YOU READ YOTSUBA". Still, despite the inactivity, her Challengers skills are as sharp as ever. I don't know if I should use the word "sharp", actually. Man, this whole bio is coming off a little dangerous. I'm pretty sure Ashly's safe to talk to in the store, though. Assuming you read Yotsuba, of course.
First Appearance: January 30th, 2009 - Donovan Challenger probably has a better, wittier version of this bio on her website, the Letter Writers Alliance. Oh, sure, it may not talk about her love of comics or her Challengers-specific work, but the font is way better and you can get it as a greeting card. Another win for Donovan Challenger, I guess. Thanks for making me look bad, Donovan!
First Appearance: October 26th, 2011 - In our bid to create a Composite Challenger, Lizzy seems like a pretty feature-rich beta version: likes Doctor Who, likes Diet Coke, likes Harry Potter, likes comics, likes Chipotle, likes to work at Challengers. Man, we are some in-built chainsaws and a night light away from a finished product, I think. We'll get it on the next rev, guys, for real.
First Appearance: March 2nd, 2012 - The Most Electrifying Man In Comics Retail, Jimmy maybe reads more comics than any other two Challengers put together. And that's just the books from Dynamite!
First Appearance: August 9th, 2013 - A lifelong comics fan whose tastes run the gamut from old-school Marvel superheroes to the most of-the-minute all-ages comics, Jeanna is happy to help you find the comic for you, provided you follow her incredibly specific and unwavering rules on bike safety. Non-negotiable!
First Appearance: December 28th, 2013 - This bio won't be written until Kent gets me ice cream.
First Appearance: April 9th, 2015 - Marija's a long-time comics fan who has graduated to Challenger from her previous position of "the person we know who knows the most about cosplay and gets to answer our cosplay questions and requests". A prestigious position, to be true. In fact, it's so prestigious that she's never ever ever allowed to abdicate it. Welcome aboard, Marija!

Last modified on Sunday, 30 July 2017 15:53