Halloween Costume Contest 2016

EVEN MORE PRIZES in 2016!!!!

When you come in for our Comicfest, Saturday October 29th, in costume, we'll take your picture and enter you into our costume contest. Or you can send us a picture. You could win up to $50 in back issues.

Here's what you need to know.

Two Easy Steps To Enter

1. Submit a photo of yourself in costume while you hold up a recent comic book or come into the shop and we'll take your picture.

2. Email the photo to empirescv@gmail.com by November 1, 2016.

How To Win

We'll post all the pictures on our website by November 6 and let the voting begin! 

Prizes Galore

We'll post all the pictures in a blog post on this website with voting instructions. Voting will begin as soon as the photos are posted and will go through Sunday November 13th at 9pm. Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes and will receive:

• Grand prize: $50 in regular priced back issues
• Second prize: $25 in regular priced back issues
• Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues

Critical Information

• For your entry to be considered valid you must submit at least 1 photograph and your name and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com, or have your picture taken in the shop by Monday, October 31, 2016:

1. A photograph containing you in costume and a recent comic book,
2. Your information: Name and phone number.

Because you're excited about reading lots of legalese, here are the complete rules. Oh boy!

Empire's 2016 Costume Contest Rules

1. Contest Description. Empire's 2016 Halloween Cosplay Costume Contest (the "Contest") is designed to encourage eligible U.S. entrants ("Entrant(s)") to express their creativity in assembling and wearing a costume. Empire's Comics Vault's fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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, 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 31, 2016 at 11:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT).  (The Entry Period ends November 1, 2016 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time.) The Contest ends on November 13, 2016 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email a photograph of yourself in costume while holding a current comic book ("Entry"). The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Costume ("Contest Website").
7. Submissions must be sent to the following email addresses: empirescv@gmail.com
8. Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above or in person at Empire's Comics Vault, 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento CA  95825, will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than November 1, 2016 at 12:00:01 A.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.
9. 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.
10. Selection of Winners. Entries will be judged by any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on November 6, 2016. 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 November 6, 2016 when the entry photos are posted at EmpiresComics.com and closes on November 13, 2016 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, two prizes will be awarded at the level that the tie occurred.
11. 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: $10 in regular-priced back issues.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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 plagiarism 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Winner List. The names of the winners will be posted on the Contest Website within one (1) week of the end of the Contest.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest 2016

Welcome back to our annual pumpkin carving contest. For six years now, we've been discovering some of Sacramento's best pumpkin sculptors and carvers.

Can you hang with these pros? We're about to find out. 

Three Easy Steps To Enter

1. Carve your pumpkin.

2. Take a photo of your pumpkin by itself and one of you with your pumpkin.

3. Email the photos, your first and last name, and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com by November 1, 2016.

How To Win

We'll post all the pictures on our website by November 6 and let the voting begin!

Comic Book Back Issue Prizes

We'll post all the pictures in a blog post on this website with instructions on how to vote. Voting will begin as soon as the photos are posted and will go through Sunday November 13th 9pm. Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes and will receive:

• Grand prize: $25 in regular priced back issues 
• Second prize: $15 in regular priced back issues 
• Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues 

Critical Information

For your entry to be considered valid you must submit 2 pictures (as stated below) and your name and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 1, 2016:

• A picture containing you and your carved pumpkin, and... 
• A picture of your carved pumpkin by itself. 

And now for the really, really long, complete rules. You might want to sit down...

Empire's Pumpkin Carving Contest Rules

1. Contest Description. Empire's Halloween 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 fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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 31, 2016 at 11:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT).  (The Entry Period ends November 1, 2016 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time.) The Contest ends on November 13, 2016 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email two photographs of your carved pumpkin ("Entry") as follows: (1) you and your carved pumpkin, and (2) your carved pumpkin by itself. The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Pumpkins may not be carved at the Sponsor's principal place of business. Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Pumpkin ("Contest Website").
7. Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than November 1, 2016, by 11:59:59 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 any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on November 6, 2016. 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 November 6, 2016 when the entries are posted to the websited and closes on November 13, 2016 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, two prizes will be awarded at the level that the tie occurred.
10. Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $25 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $10 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.

2015 Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest Complete Rules

Welcome back to our annual pumpkin carving contest. For five years now, we've been discovering some of Sacramento's best pumpkin sculptors and carvers.

Can you hang with these pros? We're about to find out.

3 Easy Steps to Enter

1. Carve your pumpkin.
2. Take a photo of your pumpkin by itself and one of you with your pumpkin.
4. Email the photos, your first and last name, and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com.

Comic Book Back Issue Prizes
We'll post all the pictures in a blog post on this website with instructions on how to vote. Voting will begin on November 5 when we post all the entries. Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes and will receive:

• Grand prize: $25 in regular priced back issues
• Second prize: $15 in regular priced back issues
• Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues 

Critical Information

For your entry to be considered valid you must submit 2 pictures (as stated below) and  your name and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 3, 2015:

1. A picture containing you and your carved pumpkin, and
2. A picture of your carved pumpkin by itself.

And now for the really, really long, complete rules. You might want to sit down...

Empire's Pumpkin Carving Contest Rules

1. Contest Description. Empire's Halloween 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 fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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 29, 2015 at 2:30:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). (The Entry Period ends November 3, 2015 at 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Time.) The Contest ends on November 11, 2015 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email two photographs of your carved pumpkin ("Entry") as follows: (1) you and your carved pumpkin, and (2) your carved pumpkin by itself. The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Pumpkins may not be carved at the Sponsor's principal place of business. Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Pumpkin ("Contest Website").
7. Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than November 3, 2015, by 11:59:59 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 any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on November 5, 2014. 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 November 5, 2015 when the entries are posted to the websited and closes on November 11, 2015 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, two prizes will be awarded at the level that the tie occurred.
10. Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $25 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $10 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.

Ugly Sweater Contest runs all December 2014

Rolly loves ugly sweaters.

What’s with those sweaters!? Ben and Rolly are kicking off Empire's Ugly Sweater Contest today! Join us in our search for the ugliest sweater in the Empire.

Enter in Two Easy Steps

1. Submit a photo of yourself wearing an ugly sweater and holding a recent comic book. Or come into the shop wearing your ugly sweater and we'll take your picture.

2. Email the photo to empirescv@gmail.com before midnight on December 31, 2014. If you’re photographed by us in the shop, we’ll take your entry from there.

Vote for Ugly

Voting will begin the morning of January 7, 2015. We'll post all ugly sweater photo entries in a blog post on this website along with voting instructions.

Prizes for Ugliest of the Ugly

Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes and will receive:

1. Grand prize: $25 in regular priced back issues and your picture proudly displayed in the shop until next year's winner takes your spot.

2. Second prize: $15 in regular priced back issues

3. Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues

4. Rolly's Choice prize: $15 in regular priced back issues 

Winners will be announced on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

Critical Information

For your entry to be considered valid, you must submit the following, before midnight on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 to empirescv@gmail.com, or in the shop before closing:

1.     At least 1 photograph of you in an ugly sweater holding a recent comic book
2.     Your name and phone number 

Before entering, please read the following legalese:

Empire's 2014 Ugly Sweater Contest Rules

1.             Contest Description. Empire's 2014 Ugly Sweater Contest (the "Contest") is designed to encourage eligible U.S. entrants ("Entrant(s)") to express their creativity in wearing an ugly sweater. Empire's Comics Vault's fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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 ugly sweater per Entrant is allowed. At the time of submission, 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 December 1, 2014 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT).  (The Entry Period ends December 31, 2014 at 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Time.) The Contest ends on January 21, 2015 at 12:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6.             How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email a photograph of yourself wearing an ugly sweater while holding a current comic book ("Entry"). The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Sweater ("Contest Website").
7.             Submissions must be sent to the following email addresses: empirescv@gmail.com
8.             Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above or in person at Empire's Comics Vault, 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento CA  95825, will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than December 31, 2014, by 11:59:59 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.
9.             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.
10.           Selection of Winners. Entries will be judged by any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on January 7, 2015. 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 Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 9:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT) and closes on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 12:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, the Sponsor will break the tie by deciding which prize level each tied entrant will be awarded.
11.           Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $25 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $10 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) Rolly's Choice Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues.
12.           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.
13.           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.
14.           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.
15.           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.
16.           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.
17.           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.
18.           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 plagiarism 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.
19.           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.
20.           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.
21.           Winner List. The names of the winners will be posted on the Contest Website within one (1) week of the end of the Contest.

October Pumpkin Carving Contest 2014

Death Star Pumpkin by Thao Pham, 2013.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest Complete Rules

Welcome back to our annual pumpkin carving contest. For four years now, we've showcased some of Sacramento's most talented carvers.

Do you have what it takes?

4 Easy Steps to Enter

1. Carve your pumpkin.
2. Take one picture of yourself with your pumpkin and a recent comic book.
3. Take another picture--this time of just your pumpkin by itself.
4. Email the photos, your first and last name, and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com.

Comic Book Back Issue Prizes
We'll post all the pictures in a blog post on this website with instructions on how to vote. Voting will begin on the morning of Wednesday, November 5. Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes and will receive:

• Grand prize: $25 in regular priced back issues and your picture proudly displayed in the shop until next year's winner takes your spot.
• Second prize: $15 in regular priced back issues
• Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues
• Rolly's Choice prize: $15 in regular priced back issues 

Critical Information

For your entry to be considered valid you must submit 2 pictures (as stated below) and  your name and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com by Monday, November 3, 2014:

1. A picture containing you, your carved pumpkin, and a recent comic book,
2. A picture of your carved pumpkin by itself.

And now for the really, really long, complete rules. You might want to sit down...

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 fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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 15, 2014 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT). (The Entry Period ends November 3, 2014 at 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Time.) The Contest ends on November 10, 2014 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email two photographs of your carved pumpkin ("Entry") as follows: (1) you, your carved pumpkin and a current comic book, and (2) your carved pumpkin by itself. The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Pumpkins may not be carved at the Sponsor's principal place of business. Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Pumpkin ("Contest Website").
7. Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than November 3, 2014, by 11:59:59 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 any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on November 5, 2014. 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 November 5, 2014 at 9:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT) and closes on November 11, 2014 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, two prizes will be awarded at the level that the tie occurred.
10. Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $25 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $10 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) Rolly's Choice 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.

FCBD 2014 Photo Contest

It's simple. Take pictures at our FCBD Mini-Con event, post them on Instagram or Twitter, tag them with #EmpiresComics AND #FCBDSacramento, and you'll be entered to win a $10 coupon for back issues. Read the complete rules below.

 

FCBD PHOTO Contest RULES:By entering the Contest, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

SPONSOR: The sponsor of the Contest is Empire's Comics Vault. Empire's Comics Vault is located at 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento, CA 95821.

ENTRY PERIOD:  The FCBD 2014 Photo Contest begins Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 6:00 AM PT and ends Saturday May 3 at 9:15 PM. Any photos posted after the Entry Period will not be counted as an entry to the Conest.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter the Contest during the Entry Period: Upload a photo(s) of your Empire's Comics Vault FCBD Mini-Con experience to your Instagram and/or Twitter account. The post must include a photo and a caption that includes the following two tags: #EmpiresComics and #FCBDSacramento. Empire's Comics Vault is not responsible for missed entries due to entrant's privacy settings.

With regard to online entries, in the event of a dispute about the identity of an entrant, each entry will be declared made by the registered account holder of the Instagram profile or Twitter profile, as long as that person meets all other eligibility requirements in these "Official Rules". The registered account holder is deemed to be the natural person who is assigned the submitted photo.
 

With respect to any winning entry, the winner may be required to provide Empire's Comics Vault with proof that the person is the registered account holder of the Instagram profile and or Twitter profile of the winning entry.  No third party entry or entry through a Contest service is permitted.  Only eligible entries actually received in compliance with the Entry Period and Contest Rules, will be included in the contest for prizes. Any automated computer receipt (such as a "thank you" message, comment on entry's comment, or "like" of participants comment, does not constitute proof of actual receipt by Sponsor of an entry for purposes of these Official Rules.

No automatic, programmed, robotic or similar means of entry are permitted and Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any individual using such a method. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.  Sponsor is not responsible for late, illegible, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, misdirected, technically corrupted or garbled entries, which will be disqualified, or for problems of any kind, whether mechanical, human or electronic. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from the Contest.

Prizes are subject to availability. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Promoter reserves the right (a) to substitute alternative prizes of equivalent or greater value and (b) in exceptional circumstances to amend or foreclose the promotion without notice. No correspondence will be entered into.

ELIGIBILITY:  The Contest is open to all legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia, residents of Canada, those outside the US who participated in Free Comic Book Day who are 14 years and older. Persons in any of the following categories are not eligible to participate or win a prize:  (a) persons who from and after June 1st, 2013 were or are employees or agents of Sponsor, or each of its respective affiliates, parent, subsidiaries, or the service agencies or independent contractors of the above organization(s); (b) persons who are engaged in the development, production, distribution of materials, provision of prizes, or drawing of winners for this Contest; and (c) persons who are immediate family of or who reside in the same household as any person in either of the preceding categories.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor reserves the right to terminate the Contest if fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity of the Contest as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  At its sole discretion, Sponsor may disqualify any person whom it considers to have intentionally violated the Official Rules or any element of the Contest.  By participating, entrants agree: (a) to be bound by the Contest Official Rules and the decisions of the person or persons who select the winners, and (b) to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Sponsor, and each of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, and independent contractors, and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents, including advertising and promotion agencies, (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all liability with respect to acceptance, possession or use (or misuse) of the prizes or participation in the Contest.

These general terms and conditions are with respect to the relevant promotion and by entering the promotion you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and any specific promotion rules. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these general terms and conditions from time to time, such changes to be effective 24 hours after they have been made. No association or business relationship is claimed with Facebook, Inc., or Twitter, Inc.

CONTEST PRIZE: The winners of the 2014 FCBD Photo Contest will each receive a $10 coupon for regular-priced back issues at Empire's Comics Vault.
 

WINNER NOTIFICATION; REQUIRED RELEASES:  A representative of Sponsor will select 12 winners. Twelve winners will be selected from Instagram and/or Twitter posts. The winners will be selected and notified by Saturday, May 31, 2014. Winners will be notified in the following ways: (1) On Instagram, a comment from the @EmpiresComics Instagram account will be added to the winning photo's Instagram accountholder is a winner. (2) On Twitter, a reply in the form of a Twitter Reply or Retweet with Comment from the @EmpiresComics Twitter account will state that the winning photo's Twitter accountholder is a winner.

In the event that Sponsor cannot reach the winner within (3) days after it attempts to notify the winner, Sponsor will select a new winner according to these Official Rules.  Additionally, if the winner is ineligible, it will be deemed as if the winner has rejected the prize, and Sponsor will select a new winner.

To claim the Prize, the winner must claim their prize at Empire's Comics Vault or send Empire's Comics Vault their name, mailing address, email,  and phone number.

USE OF NAME, LIKENESS, ETC.: By entering the Contest, you hereby acknowledge and agree that Sponsor shall have the unlimited right in perpetuity and throughout the world to use and publish your name, voice, city, state, likeness, photograph, video, biographical and prize information, and other elements of your persona and identity, in all media now known or hereafter developed, for all purposes of this Contest, as well as for all general marketing, advertising, promotional, commercial tie-in, merchandising, and other business purposes of each of the Contest Entities, all without notice or compensation to you.

ENTRANT RELEASE: By entering this Contest, you forever release, indemnify, discharge, and agree to hold harmless, all Released Parties from any and all claims, causes of action, liabilities and damages: (a) for personal injuries, death, loss of or damage to personal property, and/or other harm or loss of any nature whatsoever sustained by anyone or anything in connection with your participation in the Contest;(b) for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, infringement of copyright, or violation of any other personal or property right; and/or (c) from any typographical, human or other error in the printing, offering, selection, operation or announcement of any Contest activity and/or prize.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, entrants agree that Released Parties have neither made nor will be in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, in connection with the Contest and/or with respect to prizes, including, without limitation, to any prize’s quality or fitness for a particular purpose.

These terms and conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of United States and Canada.

2013 Halloween Costume Contest

You already have a costume picked out for Halloween, so you might as well enter our costume contest!

But, hey, if cosplay isn't your thing, then carve a pumpkin for a chance to win some comics. Or do both!

How To Enter

Submit a photo of yourself in costume while you hold up a recent comic book.

Email the photo to empirescv@gmail.com before November 1

How To Win

We'll post all the pictures on our website on November 1 and let the voting begin! 

Prizes and Recognition
Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes, and they will receive:

• Grand prize: $50 in store credit and your picture proudly displayed in the shop for a year
• Second prize: $25 in store credit
• Third prize: $15 in regular priced back issues

Here are the complete rules. Ooh, how exciting!

Empire's 2013 Costume Contest Rules

1. Contest Description. Empire's 2013 Costume Contest (the "Contest") is designed to encourage eligible U.S. entrants ("Entrant(s)") to express their creativity in putting together and wearing a costume. Empire's Comics Vault's fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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, 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 17, 2013 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT). The Contest ends on November 10, 2013 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email a photograph of yourself in costume while holding a current comic book ("Entry"). The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Costume%2013 ("Contest Website").
7. Submissions must be sent to the following email addresses: empirescv@gmail.com
8. Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than October 31, 2013, by 11:59:59 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.
9. 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.
10. Selection of Winners. Entries will be judged by any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on November 2, 2013. 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 November 2, 2013 at 5:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time (PT) and closes on November 10, 2013 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, two prizes will be awarded at the level that the tie occurred.
11. Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $50 in store credit. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $25 in store credit. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues. 
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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 plagiarism 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Winner List. The names of the winners will be posted on the Contest Website within one (1) week of the end of the Contest.

Pumpkin Carving Contest 2013

This is our 3rd pumpkin carving contest. Do you have your pumpkin and design picked out? 

Carve your pumpkin. Take a picture of yourself with your pumpkin and send it to us at empirescv@gmail.com.

We'll post all the pictures and let the voting begin! 

Prizes and Recognition
Winners will be the top three submissions with the most votes, and they will receive:

• Grand prize: $25 in regular priced back issues and your picture proudly displayed in the shop until next year's winner takes your spot.
• Second prize: $15 in regular priced back issues
• Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues

Everyone wins bragging rights!

Critical Information

For your entry to be considered valid you must submit 2 pictures (as stated below) and  your name and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com by Sunday, November 3, 2013:

1. A picture of the carved pumpkin by itself, and
2. A picture of you with your carved pumpkin

And now for the complete rules. Yawn...

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 fans will choose the winning entries via an online poll at http://www.EmpiresComics.com. 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., Google, Inc., or any other social media sites used to promote this contest.
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 the terms and conditions on this page. 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 17, 2013 at 12:00:01 A.M. Pacific Time (PT). The Contest ends on November 10, 2013 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).
6. How To Enter. To enter, submit to the Sponsor via email two photographs of your carved pumpkin ("Entry") as follows: (1) the carved pumpkin alone, and (2) a photo of you next to your carved pumpkin. The Sponsor's email address for submissions is "empirescv@gmail.com." Pumpkins may not be carved at the Sponsor's principal place of business. Contest Rules and instructions are posted at http://empirescomicsvault.blogspot.com/search/label/Pumpkin%2013 ("Contest Website").
7. Submissions must be sent to one or both of the following email addresses: empirescv@gmail.com
8. Entries sent by means other than email to email address listed above will not be considered eligible entries. Submissions must be: (i) complete (as determined by Sponsor); (ii) received no later than November 3, 2013, by 9:00:00 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.
9. 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.
10. Selection of Winners. Entries will be judged by any person who participates in the voting process by voting for their favorite entry using the online poll found in the righthand column of our website at http://www.EmpiresComics.com available on November 4, 2013. 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 November 4, 2013 at 12:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT) and closes on November 10, 2013 at 9:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT). Empire's Comics Vault will then select the three entries with the most votes to receive prizes. In the event of a tie, two prizes will be awarded at the level that the tie occurred.
11. Prizes. One (1) Grand Prize: The entry with the most votes will receive $25 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 2nd Place Prize: $15 in regular-priced back issues. One (1) 3rd Place Prize: $10 in regular-priced back issues. 
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Winner List. The names of the winners will be posted on the Contest Website within one (1) week of the end of the Contest.

Eat Your First Or Last Hostess Twinkie at Empire's Comics Vault

When we hear the sad, sad news -- Hostess is going out of business and there will be no more Twinkies in the world. -- Ben ran out and bought up all the boxes of Twinkies off the shelves of our local Smart & Final. What a Twinkie-loving man!

Other customers watching him greedily grab up all the Twinkies made comments, like,
"Hedging your bets?" and "I guess you want to make sure you don't run out of Twinkies!"

Embarrassed, he offered the line, "We're throwing a party!" And, we kind of, sort of, are!

So, to mourn the loss of the Twinkie, while supplies last...

Get 1 Goodbye Twinkie With Each Comic Book Purchase at Empire's Comics Vault!

As it was, Hostess produced 500 Million Twinkies each year -- that's an average of 1,369,863 Twinkies per day.

Of course, comic book fans, Hostess aficionados, gamers, coders, hackers, those "people with the munchies," and the like will miss the other fine Hostess products, like Suzie Q, Ding Dongs, Pink Puffs, and fruity pies. That being the case, we're proud to announce a Twinkie Caption Contest!

Write A Twinkie Caption For A Chance To Win A Hostess Twinkie, Cupcake, and Ding Dong!

If you had seen some guy buying up all the boxes of Twinkies at Smart & Final, what would you have said to him?? The picture you're captioning is the one below! That's the theme of our caption contest. 

Other Details: Add your caption to the comments of this post, and we'll pick our 3 favorite captions. The writers of those captions will receive 3 Hostess snacks - 1 Twinkie, 1 Cupcake, and 1 Ding Dong! Submit your caption by Tuesday, November 20, 2012. Also, email your caption, with your name and phone number, to empirescv@gmail.com so we can contact you if you win. We'll also announce and re-post the winners in a blog post here at EmpiresComics.com.

More Carved Pumpkin Entries

The deadline to enter your pumpkin in the contest is midnight tonight! We know you'll still be awake snacking on candy, so you might as well send us your pictures.

Remember, send two pics:

1. One of you with your pumpkin and
2. One of just the pumpkin.

You could win comics.

Voting will start tomorrow so stay tuned for more information.

Complete contest rules are available.

Skip The Line Sweepstakes Rules

UPDATED 04/27/2012 AT 11:16 PM PACIFIC - Now including Pinterest as an additional social network for getting entries in the sweepstakes. Details below.

Empire's Comics Vault Will Celebrate Free Comic Book Day

with comic shops around the globe

On Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Skip The Line Sweepstakes

OFFICIAL RULES:                NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

1. To Enter: The Empire’s Comics Vault Skip The Line Sweepstakes begins Friday, April 27, 2012 and ends Friday, May 4, 2012 at 5:30 P.M. Pacific (“Sweepstakes Period”). Each eligible entrant may submit multiple Sweepstakes entries by posting a video web link on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and/or Pinterest during the Sweepstakes Period by complying with the following terms and conditions for each online social networking site:

Sharing on Facebook: (1) Visit the Empire’s Comics Vault’s official Facebook Page at http://Facebook.com/EmpiresComicsVault, (2) locate the video post titled, “Share This Video For A Chance to Skip The Line on Free Comic Book Day at Empire’s Comics Vault,” and (3) using the Facebook “Share” link beneath the video, share the video on your own Facebook Page or Facebook personal profile. Each share on Facebook, up to two per day per Entrant, counts as an entry into the Sweepstakes. You may also post on Pinterest, Twitter and Google+ in the manner stipulated in the Sweepstakes Rules for additional chances to win. This Sweepstakes is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook.

Sharing on Twitter: Share the following information in a post to your Twitter account: (1) The video link, http://youtu.be/0hcF833bZzo , and (2) both of the following hashtags, in each post -- #EmpiresFCBD and #Sacramento. Each qualifying Twitter post, up to two per day per Entrant, counts as an entry. You may also post on Pinterest, Facebook and Google+ in the manner stipulated in the Sweepstakes Rules for additional chances to win. This Sweepstakes is not sponsored or endorsed by Twitter.

Sharing on Google+: (1) Post the video titled “Share This Video For A Chance to Skip The Line on Free Comic Book Day at Empire’s Comics Vault,” found at http://youtu.be/0hcF833bZzo , to your personal Google+ profile or  to your business page, and (2) include the following text in the post -- #EmpiresFCBD and #Sacramento. Each qualifying Google+ entry, up to two per day per Entrant, counts as an entry. You may also post on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter in the manner stipulated in the Sweepstakes Rules for additional chances to win. This Sweepstakes is not sponsored or endorsed by Google+.


         Sharing on Pinterest: On Pinterest, (1) go to http://pinterest.com/pin/20125529555059247/, (2) add a comment to the post, and then (3) re-pin the vido. You may earn up to two entries per day per Entrant on Pinterest when sharing in the stipulated manner. You may also post on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ in the manner stipulated in the Sweepstakes Rules for additional chances to win. This Sweepstakes is not sponsored or endorsed by Pinterest. 

Only correctly completed entries are eligible. Entries that are fraudulent, tampered with, or otherwise altered are not eligible for entry. Limit of one prize per Entrant.

2.     Eligibility: Sweepstakes is open to anyone 18 years of age or older as of May 4, 2012 and a current resident of the state of California. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Employees or representatives of Empire’s Comics Vault, any promotional firm used in connection with this contest and their immediate families and households are not eligible to win.

3.  Prizes: Two Grand Prizes will be given away. The Grand Prize will consist of select Free Comic Book Day 2012 comic book titles.  Specifics of the prizes are at the sole discretion of Empire’s Comics Vault.  Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of the Grand Prize: $2.00.

4.     Odds:  Actual odds of winning depend upon the total number of entries received. 

5. Prize Restrictions: Prize is not transferable. No substitution or cash equivalent of prize permitted.  Federal, state, and local taxes, and any expenses relating to the acceptance and use of the prize not specified are the responsibility of the winner.

6.     Drawing: On May 4, 2012, a random drawing will be conducted from among all eligible entries received under the direction of Empire’s Comics Vault. The prizes winners will be notified and prizes may be claimed starting on May 5, 2012 during store hours. See #7 (Prize Claims) for details. Need not be present to win. 

7. Prize Claims: Winners will be notified online at http://facebook.com/EmpiresComicsVault and http://EmpiresComicsVault.blogspot.com on May 5, 2012, and must retrieve the prize or provide a mailling address within 14 days of prize notification, or the prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner. Empire’s Comics Vault is not responsible for any charges incurred in the claiming of the award.

8. Additional Terms: By participating, entrants agree to: a.) the Official Rules and the decisions of the judges and of Empire’s Comics Vault, which shall be final in all respects; and b.) release, discharge, and hold harmless Empire’s Comics Vault, affiliates, owners, representatives, consultants, prize donors and employees, from any liability, claims, or damages arising out of their participation in the Sweepstakes and the acceptance, use, misuse, or possession of any prize. By accepting the prize, winner agrees to Empire’s Comics Vault’s and its designees’ use, where legal, of the winner’s name and/or likeness for advertising and publicity purposes without compensation and, upon request, will provide consent to such use in writing.

9. Limitation of Liability: Empire’s Comics Vault is not responsible for printing or typographical errors in any Sweepstakes-related materials; for stolen, lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete, illegible entries. Empire’s Comics Vault reserves the right to cancel or modify the Sweepstakes if fraud or technical failures compromise the integrity of the Sweepstakes as determined by Empire’s Comics Vault in its sole discretion.

10.   Winner(s) List: For the name of the winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Empire’s Comics Vault, “Skip The Line Sweepstakes Winners List”, 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento, CA 95825.  Requests must be received by May 30, 2012. 

11.   Sponsored by: Empire’s Comics Vault, 1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento, CA 95825.