The Capeless Crusaders join FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.


The gentlemen of The Capeless Crusaders' podcast will join us at Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2015
Time: 9:00 a.m.

Stop by their table at the Mini-Con to talk comics and enjoy what might be your first time being on a podcast.

The Capeless Crusaders' talk all things comics (history, modern issues, movie adaptations and more!).

Take a moment to enjoy their pre-FCBD interview (below), and to listen to their podcast, and then we will see you there!

Visit their podcast website online at:
http://thecapelesscrusaders.podbean.com

Or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

You can also chat them up on Twitter: @TheCapelessOnes.

If you prefer Instagram: @TheCapelessCrusaders

Myke Soler of Vader's Fist at FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

One of our top supporters for many years has been cosplayer Myke Soler. You'll always find Myke at our annual Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con celebrations.

Myke is famous for his Stormtrooper and Deadpool mashup, Stormpoolio.

So, when you're walking around FCBD Mini-Con and you see a Stormtrooper, it could very well be Stormpoolio. But wait just a moment, that's *if* Myke comes as Stormpoolio.

He may choose, instead, to come as a Jedi Quinlan Vos, or perhaps as a Stormtrooper with Vader's Fist, the 501st Legion.

Come out and meet Myke -- if you can find him.

FCBD Mini-Con is:
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2015
Time: Doors open at 9:00 am

Melissa Pagluica at FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Ben sits down with shop favorite Melissa Pagluica to talk about art and comics. Melissa has been featured on Good Day Sacramento, at Creative Women Mini-Con, and at FCBD Mini-Con 2013.

She is the creator of Above the Clouds comic and the creator of some the most gorgeous digital art you've ever laid eyes on.

"I draw a lot of inspiration from fairy tales, Norse mythology, and as a kid growing up... magical girl power," says Melissa.

Melissa will join us for Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con 2015 on Saturday, May 2. Doors open at 9 am. 

To learn more about Melissa and take a tour through her work, visit MPagluica.com.

And remember, we're giving away 20,000 free comic books but they won't last forever. Wink, wink.

Top Cow visits Sacramento for Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con

Top Cow's Dlyan Gray and Ben

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Ben interviews Dylan Gray from Top Cow Productions.

We're excited to have Top Cow Comics and cosplayers of their characters join us for our Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con celebration on Saturday, May, 2015.

Doors open at 9:00 am. But come early because the line grows quickly!

This year, Top Cow's FCBD title is Tales of Honor:

"An original Honor Harrington story!  Set in the universe of the best-selling military science fiction novels by David Weber, this self-contained zero issue is the lead in for the new ongoing series also launching in May.  On patrol in the Silesian Confederacy, Honor and crew chase a pirate vessel only to have it eject its human cargo of slaves into space.  Horrified at the callous disregard for life, the crew of the HMS Fearless investigate and uncover a vast conspiracy by the planet Mesa to provide genetically enhanced slaves to the seedy underbelly of the various Star Kingdoms." (Source: FreeComicBookDay.com)

Top Cow will also be giving away 200 free signed copies of Tales of Honor to the first 100 adults in each line. 

Take some time to stop by their table and learn more about the exciting Top Cow universe of characters.

Get more from Top Cow, including free downloads, at http://TopCow.com.

Sacramento Model McKayla Rose in steampunk

Our second live model session features Lady Rose of May, aka, McKayla Rose, in steampunk. Take a moment to enjoy Ben's interview with McKayla (below).

The evening will consist of two hours of multiple gestures and a longer pose. The cost is a $10 for model fees.

Our first live model was a success. Now enjoy our second session.

Sacramento's newest artist meetup group

Live Model Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Time: Come as early as 5 pm, start at 6 pm

Empire's Comics Artist Meet-up is for artists of all levels. The group meets every Tuesday night and alternates between work nights, lectures, and live models. All are welcome. Except for the live model session, there is no charge for the meetup.

Check our Facebook Events page for information by date.

Sarah Rene Straub joins FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

At the age when many other girls were marrying their dolls to one another, freelance illustrator and comic artist Sarah Rene Straub was "marrying pencils to paper."

Her early obsessions with fairy tales and mythology established her enduring love of storytelling and her passion for "all things whimsical and mysterious."

Sarah has parlayed her talent for "weaving tales, crafting whatnots, and creating drawings inspired by the fairytales, myths, and fantasy stories" on which she was raised into her illustrative work, which has most recently been featured in Image Comics' "Mice Templar IV: Legends 10 & 13," and in the colors and lettering for Shane Matthew Murphy's "Birdland, and colors for "Dramagic" by Mike Gray and Alison Roozeboom.

Sarah is currently working on her own project, the mythology comic, "Blind Follies: The Flower and Death."

Meet Sarah at FCBD Mini-Con
We're proud to have such an amazing artist with us on May 2. Come down and meet Sarah. Check out her art. Ask her why she considers herself a hobbit and find out what she loves about vintage games, tea and cats.

Geek Out with SacGeeks at FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

SacGeeks.com is the premiere online community calendar of geek-friendly and unique events in and around Sacramento.

The organization brings together passionate fans of science fiction, fantasy, anime, gaming, technology, literature, art, cosplay, movies, and other aspects of pop culture to ensure that local geeks meet new friends and discover new, but always geeky, things to do.

SacGeeks works with the West Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation to host the Intergalactic Expo, a family-friendly, fan-run, charitable convention taking place

May 2-3, 2015 at the West Sacramento Civic Center. 

You'll find a variety of interesting, educational, fun and friendly events put on by local clubs, groups, stores, authors, gamers, museums and libraries and learn where to meet up with fellow geeks at www.sacgeeks.com . 

We're thrilled to have SacGeeks joining us for Free Comic Book Day. Hit Empires Comics for the day on Saturday, May 2 and keep the fun going at the Intergalactic Expo in West Sac on Sunday, May 3.

Kyrun Silva and FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Even as a boy, Kyrun Silva couldn't stop creating.

His earliest memories are of drawing characters in his room while watching cartoons on TV. He recalls being "fascinated with everything geeky," but the compelling storytelling and beautiful artwork he found in comics gave root to his enduring creative passion and his current project, Big Tree Comics.

Kyrun founded Big Tree Comics in the spring of 2014, with its flagship title, Shaman's Destiny. Written, drawn and inked by Kyrun, the series portrays the adventures of Malik, a young man chosen by Gaea, the spirit of the Earth, to protect humankind from supernatural beings, demons, and other creatures that mean them harm. The first three issues are available now, both digitally and here at Empire's.

Kyrun is busy expanding his comic enterprise, with a goal to "make Big Tree Comics and its stable of fun and entertaining titles, household names." To that end, he recently launched the webcomic, "Vocabularious," and is hard at work developing two new series for debut in 2015.

Meet Kyrun at Empire's Comics Vault's FCBD Mini-Con

We're thrilled that this busy and multi-talented creator and artist will be on hand to meet fans and showcase his series.  Check out his work at bigtreecomics.com and then head down to Empires on May 2 to meet Kyrun in person. 

Kris Saldana at FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Los Angeles-born Kris Saldana is a comic and web comic writer, living and working in Sacramento. 

He recently completed and released his first book, "Showcase."

Kris is currently working on what he describes as "tons of new projects likely to fuel my imminent meltdown."

His ongoing and upcoming projects include a collaboration with artist Lizzy Stampher called "Superpowered Megafighters," and "Ballpit."

Meet Kris at FCBD Mini-Con

We're overjoyed to welcome back our friend and talented writer, Kris. We warmly invite you to meet him and enjoy his work on May 2.

Jared Konopitski at FCBD Mini-Con 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Sacramento born and raised, self-taught artist, Jared Konopitski's is well familiar to those who frequent Empire's Comics Vault.

Though he creates in many mediums, including the design and development of artful toys, the majority of Jared's works take the form of acrylic paintings.

His colorful, whimsical, engaging pieces, featuring extraordinary and everyday creatures, have often graced our gallery walls. In fact, Jared's rendering of one beloved pug hangs in permanent watch over our shop.

Jared's works have been exhibited at festivals, and museums across the US and Internationally including; The Smithsonian, Washington D.C.; The Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA; and The Mutter Museum, Philadelphia, PA.

Jared's creations have also been featured in Color Ink Book (2013), Papercut Magazine (2013), Arcana's Steampunk Originals (2013), Heavy Metal Magazine (2012), Catapult Magazine (2012), DisColouring Book (2012), Penumbra eZine (2012), And Wow!cool! Psycho Nurse Calendar (2011). 

He's worked with clients such as Universal Studios, Showtime, Art O Mat, and Turning Art, among others. His art can be viewed online at www.jaredkonopitski.com .

Jared has curated numerous gallery shows and corporate art seminars. He's committed to giving back to the community, stating, "I feel artists have a social responsibility to use their talent to change the world in some way. If that means donating work or talent for amazing causes, then I am all for it!"

To that end, Jared also holds early art education as a priority and enjoys facilitating art workshops that help children develop their imaginations and creativity. 

Meet Jared at Empire's Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con

We are thrilled to once again have this internationally recognized, accomplished, yet ever humble artist with us. The images that spring from his fertile, colorful imagination will delight you even more so in person. We know you'll enjoy meeting Jared and viewing his work on May 2.

Supreme Pro Wrestling returns to FCBD Mini-Con

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Supreme Pro Wrestling (SPW), an independent wrestling promotion based out of Sacramento, is home to many local and independent wrestling superstars.

They boast the loudest fans, most captivating storylines, and a perfect blend of various wrestling genres providing fun, pro wrestling action for the entire family.

SPW has run monthly shows and the SPW Training academy since 2000. Their stars wrestle across the West Coast each weekend. We are thrilled to welcome them back to FCBD!

Meet the Wrestlers at Free Comic Book Day Mini-Con

Meet the wrestlers and watch as they take each other to the mat on May 2. Don't miss it!

Long John creator D. Bethel joins FCBD 2015

Note: Get the full lineup of FCBD Mini-Con 2015 guests here.

Creator, writer, and artist Dan Bethel has been making independent comics for eight years.

He co-created, co-wrote, and illustrated the humor-adventure webcomic, Eben07, for six years, publishing six books, being featured in the Sacramento News & Review, the Sacramento Bee, and positively reviewed by Ain't It Cool News in that time. 

He started his current webcomic, Long John, in June 2014, and is currently updating its second chapter at longjohncomic.com.

He also co-hosts the weekly nerdy news and discussion podcast, For All Intents and Purposes.

During the day, he teaches Writing and Rhetoric at CSU, Sacramento and The Art Institute of California–Sacramento.

Meet the Professor at Empire's Comics Vault's FCBD Mini-Con

We couldn't be more pleased to have this mutli-talented comicker and fellow nerd with us on May 2. You'll enjoy discussing Dan's own creations and all other things comics with the professor. He has assured us that there will be no pop quizzes or lectures. Pencils down!

Follow Dan on on Twitter @DBethel.