The Corner Box

·S3 E17

Patrick Bower Challenges The Corner Box Part Two - S3Ep17

January 20
33 mins

Episode Description

Challengers Comics + Conversation’s Patrick Brower joins John and David for part 2 of this year-end conversation about all things comics in 2025. They get into why David can’t get all the variant covers, the Marvel/DC crossovers, what made the Absolute Line so successful, the good and the bad of 2025, and looking ahead at the comics industry in 2026, and Patrick makes a prediction – will it come true?

Timestamp Segments

  • [00:57] Excitement for 2026.
  • [04:38] The variant covers headache.
  • [08:03] Marvel and DC do different books together.
  • [09:59] The average customer.
  • [11:09] The DC/Marvel solution.
  • [12:29] DC K.O.
  • [14:22] What makes the Absolute Line work?
  • [17:56] Was 2025 a good year for comics?
  • [19:10] PRH’s payment portal.
  • [21:28] Book distributors vs comic distributors.
  • [23:31] Making more money – still broke.
  • [25:06] What’s coming up in 2026?
  • [29:09] Patrick’s prediction for 2026.
  • [30:21] Patrick mentions wrestling.
  • [30:40] Warner being bought, again.
  • [31:35] The longest-running comic shop.

Notable Quotes

  • “I'm not saying any names, whatsoever.”
  • “Your average customer isn't the expert customer you're hearing from on the internet.”
  • “I'm just disappointed that Time Warner rejected the Blockbuster video bid from the early 90s.”

Relevant Links

Challengerscomics.com

Books Mentioned

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