Challengers Comics + Conversation
In four years Challengers has cemented its place in Chicago by emphasizing the comic shop as a social center for readers of all ages and interests. With art exhibits, reading groups, signings, parties and more; owners Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush have defied the idea of comic-book readers as solipsistic misanthropes with grudges against sunlight and girls.
Challengers Comics, 1845 North Western, (773)278-0155, challengerscomics.com
Audience choice: Chicago Comics, 3244 North Clark, (773)528-1983, chicagocomics.com
Best of Chicago 2012