This year Empire's Comics Vault is celebrating it's 9th year in business with a sale on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Here's what's on sale that Saturday:
The "Vision Machine" Remix Writing Contest starts February 1st. It's a great way to have fun writing and maybe get recognized. Ben - you know, the guy who owns Empire's Comics Vault - is going to remix "Vision Machine" also. Of course, he can't win any prizes, but he'll be in it with you. Here are some things to know.
WHAT THE CONTEST IS ABOUT
Imagine taking a graphic novel, erasing all the text and word balloons, keeping only the art, and then plugging in your own story. That's the contest. Take an unlettered copy of Greg Pak's "Vision Machine" and add your own story. You've got two months to do it. 1st place wins $100. 2nd place wins $50 in comics. 3rd place wins $25 in comics. All submissions must be received by March 31, 2012. Please read the official contest rules for complete details.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. Download the official entry form. You'll need to include this with your writing submission. This form is required with all submissions.
2. Download an unlettered copy of Greg Pak's "Vision Machine." Add your story to the art - beautiful art by R.B. Silva. We're not accepting scripts, so your story must be added to the art, and you can do that any way you'd like - with a pen, using software, cutting out word balloons and pasting them onto the art. Also, your story can be of any genre you'd like - comedy, horror, sic-fi, whatever. Obviously, your story has to be original, you know, no copying anyone else's homework, or works that are protected by copyrights. There's more about that in the official contest rules.
3. Submit your completed official entry form and your story with art to empirescv@gmail.com or ship to Empire's Comics Vault, 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento, CA 95825.
TWO THINGS YOUR SHOULD KNOW - TAKEN FROM THE OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES
(1) "Vision Machine" is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-Alike 3.0 Unported License that lets you copy, share, and remix the book non-commercially as long as you credit Pak Man Productions and release your remixes/derivative material under the same Creative Commons license. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.
(2) Essentially, that first point means, you agree to permit your remix of "Vision Machine" to be copied, shared and remixed non-commercially, online and offline; and since Greg Pak got this whole enchilada cooking in the first place, no matter how far down the line "Vision Machine" get remixed, we credit Pak Man Productions. Sounds fair to us! Plus, you never know, if your story is amazing, good things could happen for you. Maybe. So go for it.
The official contest rules are available online. We recommend reading those rules. Read them at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/2012/01/vision-machine-remix-2012-contest-rules.html.
SPECIAL THANKS
Pak Man Production's very own Greg Pak has done and is doing some amazing things. Are you familiar with "Planet Hulk," "Incredible Hercules," "Red Skull Incarnate," and "Magneto Testament"? Ay-may-zing. Amazing, and honestly, we think he's a great model to follow when it comes promoting comics. We also like his healthy and active life online, from his blog to the novel he's writing on Twitter to his early adopter Google+ activities. So, if you don't know Greg, please get to know him. Last but not least, how many other writers do you know who are excited about you remixing their work? So, thanks, Greg. You're the man… the Pac Man.
Black Friday Sale - November 25 - 27
November 25 - We're opening early - 8 a.m.!
November 26th
November 27th
Canned Food Drive, New Releases Signing
And 20% Off Horror Items 
Saturday, November 19 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Help Support Sacramento's Senior Citizen Services by donating canned goods. When you donate 2 canned goods you get $2 off select comics from our guests. PLUS when you purchase one of their comics you will get a $2 coupon off a new book of your choice in December. 2 cans and you get a $4 savings. That adds up to a FREE comic!
We received 3 entries, which is good news for the entrants, because there are exactly 3 prize levels. Here are the pictures of the pumpkins. We're posting them here so you can see several angles of each pumpkin, however we'll only post one picture of each pumpkin on Facebook for voting purposes. So once you've looked at these, head over to our Empire's Comics Vault Facebook page to vote!
Find a pumpkin. Consider a design theme - comic book heroes, horror, sci-fi, fairytale, eclectic, whatever! Sketch a concept. Carve it.
Bring it in to the shop for display on Saturday or Sunday, October 29 or 30, 2011. We'll take a picture of it and post it to Facebook to let the fans vote on the top 3 pumpkins. Voting starts at midnight on October 30, 2011 and ends on Wednesday, November 2, 2011.
Win A Prize
The Grand Prize is $50 in regular-priced back issues; 2nd place gets $25 in regular-priced back issues; and 3rd place gets $15 in regular-priced back issues. Complete contest rules are below.
Empire's Pumpkin Carving Contest Rules
1. Contest Description. Empire's Pumpkin Carving Contest (the "Contest") is designed to encourage eligible U.S. entrants ("Entrant(s)") to express their creativity by carving a pumpkin. Empire's Comics Vault's Facebook Fans will choose the winning entries and prizes will be awarded in accordance with these Official Rules. This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Inc.2. Sponsor. The Contest is sponsored by Empire's Comics Vault ("Sponsor"), a California company with principal place of business at 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento, CA 95821, USA.
3. Binding Agreement. In order to enter the Contest, you must agree to these Official Rules ("Rules"). The Rules consist of: (i) the terms and conditions on this page and (ii) the Empire's Pumpkin Carving Entry Form ("Entry Form"). Because these Rules form a legally binding agreement with respect to this Contest, please read them carefully. If you do not agree to the Rules, you are not eligible to participate in the Contest or to win any of the prizes. You agree that registration for this Contest and/or a submission of an entry in the Contest constitutes your agreement to these Rules.
4. Eligibility. This Contest is open to any legal resident of the United States age eighteen or over, except employees, agents, or representatives of the Sponsor. Only one pumpkin per Entrant is allowed. At the time of submission of a pumpkin, each Entrant must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. legal resident (e.g., must be able to show proof of legal permanent residence, for example, a "green card"). Employees, interns, contractors, and official office-holders, as well as their immediate families, of the Sponsor, its affiliates, and any representatives or agencies of the Sponsor or other persons professionally connected with the Contest are not eligible to participate. This Contest is void where prohibited.
5. Contest Period. The Contest begins on October 30, 2011 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT). The Contest ends on November 2, 2011 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, drop off and set up your pumpkin at the Sponsor's principal place of business during normal store hours on Saturday, October 29 or Sunday, October 30, 2011, and complete an Entry Form, available at the time of drop off. A photograph will be taken of each submission for voting purposes (See Section 9 below). Pumpkins may not be carved at the Sponsor's principal place of business. Sponsor's hours of operation on Saturday are 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. and on Sunday from 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Entry Form and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Pumpkin%2011 ("Contest Website"). Submissions must be delivered by Entrant or by courier service to the addresses indicated below.
7. Submissions delivered in person or sent by courier service (Fed Ex,UPS, etc.) must be sent to the following address:Empire's Comics VaultEntries sent by means other than Entrant or courier service will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) in English (unless otherwise specified); and (iii) received no later then October 30, 2011, by 5:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Any submission not meeting the aforementioned criteria will be disqualified. The Sponsor accepts no responsibility for submissions lost, delayed, damaged, defaced, or mislaid, howsoever caused.
8. Conduct. By entering the Contest, you agree to comply with and be bound by the Rules, which will also be posted on the Contest Website. Failure to comply with these Rules may result in your disqualification from the Contest. You further agree to comply with and be bound by the decisions of the judges, which are final and binding in all respects. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any Entrant it finds to be: (1) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Contest; (2) violating the Rules; (3) violating the terms of service, conditions of use or general rules or guidelines of any of the Sponsor's property or service; (4) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person; or (5) failure to provide documentation verifying U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency. Any false information provided within the context of the Contest by any Entrant concerning identity, postal address, ownership of rights or non-compliance with the Rules may result in the immediate disqualification of an Entrant from the Contest. The Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any entry that it believes in its sole and unfettered discretion, infringes upon any third party right, violates any law or otherwise does not comply with these Rules. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY PROPERTY OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, EMPIRE'S COMICS VAULT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.9. Selection of Winners. Entries will be judged by Facebook users who visit the Empire's Comics Vault Facebook Page to vote. Decisions are final and binding. In the event there are not enough eligible entries, not all prizes will be awarded. If a winner is not able for whatever reason to accept his or her prize, then the Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize to another Entrant.
Online public voting starts on October 30, 2011 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT) and closes on November 2, 2011 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes, or Facebook "Likes", to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, the Sponsor will select the entry.
10. Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $50 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $25 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues.11. Media Activity: By participating in this Contest, you agree and hereby grant the Sponsor permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and publicly display your Contest submissions for any purpose, such as, but not limited to, press and media communications, without any compensation or attribution to you. You also agree to participate in any media or promotional activity regarding the Contest. You agree that the Sponsor may use your name and likeness to administer and promote the Contest and to conduct media interviews and promotional events.
12. Privacy Notice. By participating in this Contest, you agree that the Sponsor can collect your personal information, and that if the Sponsor cannot collect the required data, you may not be eligible to participate in the Contest. Any personal information collected during the course of the Contest by the Sponsor will only be used for administering this Contest and for other purposes as outlined in these Rules. You will have the right to access, review, rectify or cancel any personal data held by the Sponsor by writing to Empire's Comics Vault (Attention: Privacy Related) at the Sponsor's address listed in Section 2.
13. General Conditions. This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of California, United States. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. By participating in this Contest, you agree to be bound by the terms of these Rules and by the Sponsor's decisions, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Contest. Return of any prize/prize notification may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Any potential winner who cannot be contacted within five (5) business days of attempted first notification will forfeit his or her prize. Potential prize winners may be required to sign, notarize, and return an affidavit or declaration of eligibility, a liability/publicity release, an I.R.S. Form W-9, within three (3) business days and provide any additional information that may be required by the Sponsor. Failure to comply within this time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. The Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Contest or in the announcement of the prizes. Entrants certify that their submission is original and that they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submitted submission (or if they are not sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submission, that they have obtained the necessary permission to include the submission in the Contest) and that they have the right to submit the submission in the Contest. Each entrant agrees not to participate in the Contest in any manner that might: (i) infringe any third-party proprietary, intellectual property, industrial property, personal rights or other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret or confidentiality obligation; or (2) otherwise violate applicable law in any countries in the world.
14. No Recourse to Judicial or Other Procedures. To the extent permitted by law, the rights to litigate, to seek injunctive relief, or to any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or in connection with this Contest are hereby excluded, and you expressly waive any and all such rights.
15. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU INDEMNIFY AND AGREE TO KEEP INDEMNIFIED EMPIRE'S COMICS VAULT AT ALL TIMES FROM AND AGAINST ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS AND EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ANY ACT, DEFAULT OR OMISSION BY YOU AND/OR A BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY BY YOU SET FORTH HEREIN. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU INDEMNIFY AND AGREE TO KEEP INDEMNIFIED EMPIRE'S COMICS VAULT AT ALL TIMES FROM AND AGAINST ANY LIABILITY, ACTIONS, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS AND EXPENSES FOR OR IN RESPECT OF WHICH EMPIRE'S COMICS VAULT WILL OR MAY BECOME LIABLE BY REASON OF OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO ANY ACT, DEFAULT OR OMISSION BY YOU UNDER THESE RULES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION RESULTING FROM OR IN RELATION TO ANY BREACH, NON-OBSERVANCE, ACT OR OMISSION WHETHER NEGLIGENT OR OTHERWISE, PURSUANT TO THESE RULES BY YOU. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AGREE TO HOLD EMPIRE'S COMICS VAULT, ITS RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND ASSIGNS HARMLESS FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE CAUSED OR CLAIMED TO BE CAUSED BY PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST AND/OR USE OR ACCEPTANCE OF ANY PRIZE WON.
16. Third Parties. The Sponsor is not responsible for the policies, actions, or inactions of others, including Entrant’s parents/legal guardian or representatives that might prevent the Entrant from entering, participating, and/or claiming a prize in this Contest.
17. Intellectual Property. By registering for the Contest and/or submitting an entry you agree explicitly that your submission is indeed an original creation. Any intellectual property infringement, misuse or plagarism of another’s work in any form or state will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of eligibility to receive all awards, recognition and prizes. You also agree to allow the Sponsor to make public statements regarding any disqualifications and any grounds for disqualification. All intellectual property and industrial property rights in any entries that belonged to the Entrants will remain with the Entrants, but the submissions will otherwise become the property of the Sponsor, and will not be returned after the Contest. You grant the Sponsor permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and publicly display your Contest submission for any purpose, including display on the Sponsor's website, without any attribution or compensation to you.
18. Internet. The Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission. The Sponsor is not responsible for theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of Contest materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind. The Sponsor is not responsible for inaccurate transmissions of or failure to display Contest materials on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the Internet portion of the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, the Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest.
19. Severability. If any provision(s) of these Rules are held to be invalid or unenforceable, all remaining provisions hereof will remain in full force and effect.
20. Winner List. The names of the winners will be posted on the Contest Website within one (1) week of the end of the Contest.
ECV Press
Empire's Comics Vault
Hainanu Saulque
Mark Roberts
Corey Bernhardt
Justin Delacuesta
Highway 62
Nathan Weber
