CHICAGO, IL (November 4, 2019) – Challengers Comics + Conversation today announced the upcoming opening of their second comic book retail location at 750 N. Franklin St, Suite #103, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.

Already open for just shy of 12 years in Bucktown, Challengers owners Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush feel the time is right for expansion. “Comic books and graphic novels are better now than they’ve ever been, and the subject matter is so diverse that reading a ‘comic book’ is now an everyday occurrence for more people than ever before,” says Brower. “Having started Challengers in Chicago and seeing so many people buy their first comic is such an amazing feeling that we want to do more of it.”

W. Dal Bush is a life-long comic book fan and a long-time comic book retailer. “Patrick has been selling comics for over 29 years, and I’m coming up on 28,” says Bush, “But every day still feels new and exciting with the quality of material that is being created today.”

Challengers is a comic book store, not a collectibles store. They don’t sell priceless artifacts; they don’t sell investments. They sell reading material; and, in their opinion, today’s comics and graphic novels are the best form of entertainment available.  
 Since opening their first location in March 2008, Challengers has received “Best Of” awards from the Chicago Reader, Chicago Magazine and Newcity, and was awarded the comic book industry’s version of the Academy Award in the form of the Will Eisner “Spirit of Comics” Retail Award.

"Our family's been in River North for 60 years. I'm thrilled to have Challengers as a neighbor. Good guys, great brick and mortar business and more foot traffic," said Guido Nardini, co-owner of Club Lago restaurant and bar. “Can't wait to raise a glass to their arrival. Did I mention my brother and I are their customers? Our commute just got very convenient...”

“I've been going to Challengers since they first opened,” said James VanOsdol, long-time Chicago on-air personality (WKQX, WLUP, WGN, WXRT). “The vibe is always welcoming, and I completely trust Patrick and Dal to help me find titles I'm going to love. Their enthusiasm for comics is undeniable.”

The River North Challengers will be open for business on Friday, November 29, 2019, at 11:00am.

For continuing news on events, new releases and more from Challengers, stay tuned to www.ChallengersComics.com and follow @Challengers on Twitter.

About Challengers Comics + Conversation
Will Eisner “Spirit of Comics” Retailer Award recipient (Jul 13), named “Best Place to Buy Comics Minus the Comic Book Guy” (Chicago Reader, Jun 13), “Best Comic Book Shop” (Newcity, Nov 12), “Best Comics Shop” (Chicago Reader, Jun 10) and “Best New Comic Book Store” (Chicago Magazine, Aug 09), Challengers Comics + Conversation strives to prove that the best thing about being in a comic book store, is being in a comic book store. With a combined 50+ years of comic retail experience, owners Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush endeavor to bring Chicago a full-service, technologically interactive comic store that has the same level of wonder and enjoyment as the comics they sell. And read. And talk about. And champion.
 
Web: www.challengerscomics.com
Twitter: @Challengers
Facebook: @ChallengersComics
Instagram: @gochallengersgo
Tumblr: challengerscomics.tumblr.com
 
Contact:
Patrick Brower
Challengers Comics + Conversation
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As we've done in years past (based on posts from other retailers like Brian Hibbs from Comix Experience), here's our list of the 100 top-selling comics at Challengers in 2018. This list is based on the number of copies each issue sold, with the higher priced issue being listed first in the case of a tie. I'm sure we'll be discussing this list on an upcoming episode of Contest of Challengers, so keep an eye or ear or whatever open for that in the coming week. Otherwise, look over this list and see if you need to check some of these out in 2019!

As we've done in years past (based on posts from other retailers like Brian Hibbs from Comix Experience), here's our list of the 100 top-selling graphic novels at Challengers in 2018. This list is based on the number of copies each title sold, with the higher priced book being listed first in the case of a tie. I'm sure we'll be discussing this list on an upcoming episode of Contest of Challengers, so keep an eye or ear or whatever open for that in the coming week. Otherwise, look over this list and see if you need to check some of these out in 2019!