Local Comics Store Spotlight: Challengers Comics
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Challengers Comics (Part Two)
"The thing I'd say we're most proud of is Sidekicks, our all-ages comics room" says Bush. There is a doorway between the two storefronts and it declares Sidekicks to be "A Place For Young Challengers". Rather than being filled with toys or other distractions to create a separate experience, Sidekicks is designed to be a smaller version of the main store. It provides young readers with their own space to browse new releases and flip through collections tailored to their own reading proficiency and interests. Sidekicks makes young readers feel comfortable both in a comics store and with the concept of being self-motivated readers.
The attraction of young readers (and their parents) to Challengers is only one shift the store has seen in its reader base. From the very first year they opened, Brower and Bush have noticed a shift in customers who purchase comics. The success of Saga has led to many new readers, a younger and more diverse crowd, entering the store. Bush notes that something like Saga has helped readers discover similarly offbeat series like Sex Criminals and Bitch Planet, then find their classic inspirations like Preacher and Sandman. It shows how one great comic can hook a reader for life. That applies to the young attendees of Sidekicks as well who adore classics like Bone and any new comic featuring the name of cartoonist Raina Telgemeier. "The breadth of great books currently being published has made serving diverse markets easier than ever" says Bush.
While Challengers has seen many successes to date and been rewarded for them with the most prestigious award in comics, their work is far from done. "We've changed emphasis on certain publishers, expanded our spotlight on certain creators, designed events around certain properties, all because we'd seen the response from our customers in the months and years prior" says Bush. One customer coming in to ask for a comic they do not stock is enough to get the staff at Challengers to investigate. They're dedicated to keeping an eye on changing trends and staying on top of what customers want today. It's not easy in the ever-fluctuating comics market, but they're up to the task.
That doesn't mean the market is without risks though. Bush points out that comics has never been a stable market and their aversion to collector's items and variant covers leaves them with less room for mistakes. Challengers dedication to reading has created a dedicated fanbase, but also put them on a less-chartered road. The staff of Challengers is focused on offering their community a place to explore and enjoy comics above all else though, and believe that if they succeed it will be because of this. "A comic shop isn't a one-size-fits-all concept; it has to change and grow along side its community" says Bush.
While the future of comics may be unknown, these Challengers certain seem to be prepared for it.
Click ahead to see full details and photos of Challengers Comics.

Challengers Comics (Store Info and Photos)
Store Info
Name: Challengers Comics
Address: 1845 N Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 278-0155
Website: Challengers Comics
Twitter: @Challengers
Facebook: Challengers Comics









