Vote for Best Halloween Costume 2015

Ok, the photos are here! Now it's time to vote. Review the photos. Find your favorites and vote. You can vote for as many photos as you like. And you can vote once per day. Ready? Set go.

To Vote
Use the voting buttons that are on the right side of the screen.

Halloween Sale, Pumpkin Carving and Costume Contests

Halloween Festivities

This Saturday, we have FREE comics for you, nearly-free back issues at 50% OFF, and graphic novels, collected editions, and toys at 20% off.


Goblin's Sale

• Free Halloween Comics for kids & adults!
• Back Issues 50% Off!
• Graphic Novels & Toys 20% Off

Costume Contest

• Enter for a chance to win up to $25 in free comic books. Get the details here.

Pumpkin Carving Contest

• Show us your mad carving skills. We've had some amazing entries in previous years. Let's see what YOU can do. Rules are here.

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.

Sacramento's Ugliest Sweater and Contest Winners

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any uglier here at Empires, they did! We received five ugly sweater entries for the ugly sweater contest. Now it’s time to announce our Ugly Sweater Contest winners!

So here they are, the entries you (and Rolly!) deemed ugly, uglier, and ugliest:

         Sweater Entry 05: Grand prize: $25 in regular priced back issues and your picture proudly displayed in the shop until next year's winner takes your spot.

         Sweater Entry 01: Second prize: $15 in regular priced back issues (View photos of all winners below).

         Sweater Entry 02: Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues

         Sweater Entry 03: Rolly's Choice prize: $15 in regular priced back issues 

 

To collect your back issues, please visit Ben in the shop.

Thanks to all of our moth ball scented, itchy, lint laden entrants! Even in those ugly sweaters, you all look pretty darn good to us!

Vote for Ugliest Sweaters

  

Things have gotten pretty ugly here at Empires! Our eyes have been assaulted with hideous sweaters from every decade, in a myriad of colors, varied prints and an array styles, sported by these fun entrants.

Now it’s time to share the ugly! Whose is the ugliest sweater in all the Empire? You decide. Check out the entries below and cast your vote using the voting tool in the righthand column of this website.

Voting starts now, Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Voting ballot will be set up here in the right hand column. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Voting closes on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 12:00:00 A.M. Pacific Time.

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

2014 Ugly Sweater Entries

  

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.

View costume entries and get ready to vote

UPDATE 11/04/2014 10:18 PM PT: Well, well, well. Turns out some of the photos we had were lost in digital transit. But what was lost, now is found! There's a lot of competition. So get your votes ready, and better yet, get your friends ready to vote.

Ok, so here's your contests update:

• Pumpkin Carving Contest: $65 in prizes was left on the table! We didn't receive any entries. Awwwww.
• Costume Contest: We received three 13 entries! That means each of them is a winner. The only thing to figure out is who wins how much! So get ready to vote starting tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5 at 9:00 a.m. PT. 
• The voting choices will be in the righthand column, here >>>

2014 Costume Contest Entries

  

October Costume Contest - Cosplay 2014

So, either you're dressing up for this weekend's Sac-Con (See also: Sac-Con.com) or for Halloween, and you know what?

You might as well try to win some prizes. Still, if you prefer dressing a pumpkin rather than dressing up in costume, check out our October 2014 pumpkin carving contest instead.

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 before November 1, 2014. If you take the shop in the picture, you're golden. We'll handle it from there.

How To Win

We'll post all the pictures on our website on November 5 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 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 at least 1 photograph and  your name and phone number to empirescv@gmail.com or in the shop by Friday, October 31, 2014:

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 2014 Costume Contest Rules

1. Contest Description. Empire's 2014 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 16, 2014 at 2:00:00 P.M. Pacific Time (PT).  (The Entry Period ends October 31, 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 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 October 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 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.
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.

Announcing 2013 Pumpkin Carving Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of our 2013 pumpkin carving contest! To claim your prize, please connect with Ben in the shop any day Tuesday through Saturday.

First place: Pumpkin 03
Second place: Pumpkin 05 - Why So Serious?
Third place: Pumpkin 04

Prizes and Recognition
Our winners receive the following:

• 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

Voting Starts Now: 2013 Pumpkin Carving Contest

Voting ends Thursday, November 14! Each pumpkin is numbered. Vote for your favorite pumpkin in the right-hand column of this blog. You get one vote, so make it count!

Carved Pumpkin Entries for Sacramento's Best Pumpkin Carver