New Season! New Format! It's 2.0, baby, and in this pilot episode, Patrick and W. Dal talk about getting a breather on Wednesday mornings, the viability of all-ages material in the direct market, the Architects, red rage and so much more. Welcome back to the podcast you only thought you missed. We're here to prove otherwise!

This episode, the recording, editing and posting, was the most time-consuming experience I have had yet with Contest of Challengers. So much so that this is a completely different version that the one I just spent an extra hour re-editing. As a result, I have nothing else to say here.

Triple trouble on this episode of Challengers, as Dal talks with comics couple Stien and Christian all about their history, their comics... and the horror of Rashida Jones' comic book.

Onrie Kompan joins Patrick this episode to tell all about the unbeatable warrior, Yi Soon Shin, to talk about digital devices, the Amazing Spider-Man and how an electronic community will never replace a physical, brick and mortar one. At least we HOPE so... Also, as an added bonus, there's background noise (at the beginning)! Yes! The sounds of a busy comic store on a Wednesday. You're welcome!

Dal talks to Jon M. about Doctor Who, The Return of Bruce Wayne, Wonder Woman #600 and other things all obtained legally.

Patrick is joined by Challenger-in-training KENT FREMON. Kent loves Grant Morrison's Batman and he's not afraid to tell you about it. And Seaguy. And even some non-Morrison works, like Tales Designed to Thrizzle are discussed! And cartoons. Kent is also forced at virtual gunpoint to recommend something for you all to read. And he does. Good show, Kent!

This time out, Dal talks with RYAN VOSS about Amazing Spider-Man, John Constantine: Hellblazer, Amazing Spider-Man, Scalped, and Amazing Spider-Man again. BONUS: Amazing Spider-Man discussion.

Everything old is new again this week as we welcome Jimmy PS Hayes to not only Contest of Challengers, but to Challengers in general! Jimmy joins Patrick to discuss the figure-four leg-lock, paying people back, Robert Kirkman, the difference between the comics you read as a kid and the comics you want to own now, and Tom DeFalco. They also do a quick C2E2 wrap-up and Patrick does a horrible impression of a former comic publisher. Featuring W. Dal Bush and James Galinski.

Grant Craig joins Patrick for Episode 23: "Black Metal Comics" in which the subject of 'black metal comics' never comes up. Comics, sure, and a whole lot of music talk (some of it related to black metal but most geographically located in the Raleigh/Chapel Hill areas). And while this is certainly a long one, Grant has a great ability to take Patrick's music segues and bring them back around to comics while keep the intened point. Way to go, Grant! I also feel the need to point out that my spellcheck is disabled and I feel completely lost without it. So any spelling mistakes right here are the result of faulty technology and a grown man's terrible inability to spell. Guest starring W. Dal Bush and Mike Lee!

Lord Farcus? Well, our guest this week is MARCUS FOSTER, but we never call him Lord Farcus. I almost called this episode "Bananas Foster" but I don't call him that, either. Anyway, join us as Patrick mumbles more than ever while he completely ruins the surprises of "Blackest Night" in a conversation where all the really good bits were cut out because we both name too many names. Yes, you get the second-rate version of the Marcus Foster interview right here! Also, there are sound effects! Be worried.