The comic book offers escape to its readers, allowing mere airline pilots and professional bodybuilders to imagine what it's like to fly or have super-strength, even if only for a moment. Read your way out of a ho-hum daily routine with today's Groupon: for $10, you get $20 worth of merchandise at Challengers Comics + Conversation, just off the Western Blue Line stop.

Named Best Comics Shop by the Chicago Reader in 2010, Challengers Comics + Conversation offers comic-book connoisseurs a wide variety of materials from publishers such as Dark Horse, Marvel, and DC. Wander Challengers' neatly organized aisles and peruse the ink-and-colored inventory of single-issue comics ($3–$4), as well as trade books and graphic novels ($15–$30). While Superman fans are waiting to get their cape back from the dry cleaners, they can don a T-shirt ($17) or simply wrap a poster ($8) around themselves. Should your head spin at the plethora of options, the friendly, knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer questions or to enter into heated debates over the innate superiority of specific storylines. Challengers also hosts a variety of special events, including art exhibitions, signings, reading clubs, and more.

Reviews

Challengers Comics + Conversation was named Best Comics Shop by the Chicago Reader and Best New Comics Store by Chicago magazine. Challengers has a nearly perfect 4.5-star average from Yelpers:

• Challengers may just be the nicest comic book store in Chicago. The store is beautifully kept. The staff are awesome. The selection is great. – Brian T., Yelp
• Challengers Comics is by far the best comic book experience in Chicago. From the clearly labeled organization to the availability of every unique request, this store has it all. – David R., Yelp