Comic Book Candy

Challengers as seen on the much warmer 24 Hour Comics Day this past October. (This post is part of an ongoing series where I attempt to visit every single comic book store within Chicago city limits. You can read more about the project here! ) Location: 1845 N Western Ave #2R in Bucktown Public Transit: Nearest buses are the Western (49) and Milwaukee (56), nearest train is the Western blue line. Hours: Monday through Friday: 11:00 to 7:00 Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 to 5:00 Website: http://www.challengerscomics.com Challengers Comics + Conversation presented a uniquely complicated task for Retail Therapy. My history with the owners makes me a little more than biased. I worked for co-owner Patrick Brower for several years before he opened Challengers, and I have remained close friends with him since. When my husband and I wanted to have a Star Trek theme wedding , Pat offered to officiate and host the nuptials inside of Challengers. How can I possibly talk about this comi...

  Here is Pat holding down the register. Challengers doesn't glow, that's just a light leak in my camera. In showcasing comic book fans, and continuing with my favorite comic book store employees, I bring you the proprietor of Challengers Comics + Conversation , Pat Brower . Anyone who knows Pat will tell you, they are the luckier party. Having opened Challengers with W. Dal Bush just a year and a half ago, Pat and company have already claimed a spot among the wide-ranging Chicago comic book scene (Chicagoans have an insane amount of stores to choose from). It’s a store that shares many qualities with Pat’s personality: instantly welcoming, eclectic, and often host to some killer parties. If you are in the Chicago area and have yet to visit Challengers, make the trip sooner rather than later – I guarantee it will become part of your comic book buying routine. But back to Pat! Even if you know him, you probably won’t ever have his taste in comics pegged. He could probably ...