Vaulty Award Winners Recognizes Best Comics of 2016

Our podcast crew, Cracking the Vault's Tony Asaro, Amy Nunag, and Patrick Clarke, recently recognized the best in 2016's comics via our annual comic book awards, The Vaulty Awards.

This year we added a Listener's Choice selection, so now your favorites are recognized also.

Don't miss out on these awesome comics, available in a comic shop near you.

Episode 90 of the podcast (listen here) announced the winners, but we've put them in print for you right here.

So, without further ado, here are the winners!

THE 2016 VAULTY AWARDS: WINNERS

Best Publisher 2016

• Amy, Tony, and Listener's Choice – Image Comics​
• Patty – Marvel​ Comics

Best Artist 2016

• Patty – Mike Del Mundo (“Weirdworld” & “Vision” (covers))
• Amy – Skottie Young (“I Hate Fairyland” & covers)
• Tony – Fiona Staples​ (“Saga” & covers)
• Listener’s Choice – Greg Tocchini (“Low”)
• Honorable Mention – Nicola Scott

Best Animal In A Comic 2016

• Tony – Jonathan The Actual Wolverine (“All-New Wolverine” by Tom Taylor & Marcio Takara​)
• Amy – Sandor (“Animosity” by Marguerite Bennett & Rafael de Latorre)
• Patty – Howard T. Duck (“Howard The Duck” by Chip Zdarsky​ & Joe Quinones)
• Listener’s Choice – Lying Cat (“Saga” by Brian K Vaughan & Fiona Staples)

How To Talk To Girls At Parties, Vaulty Winner

Best Comic-Based TV Show 2016

• Amy – Agent Carter​: Season 2
• Patty – Marvel's Luke Cage​
• Tony – Marvel's Daredevil​: Season 2
• Listener’s Choice – The Flash​ (2016)

Best Annual, One Shot, or Original Graphic Novel, 2016

• Patty – “How to Talk to Girls At Parties” (by Neil Gaiman​, Fabio Moon, & Gabriel Ba)
• Amy – “The Wicked + The Divine 1831” (by Kieron Gillen​, Stephanie Hans, & Jamie McKelvie​)
• Tony – “Love is Love” (by Marc Andreyko​, et al)
• Listener’s Choice – “DC Universe Rebirth #1” (by Geoff Johns, Ethan Van Sciver, Ivan Reis, Gary Frank, & Phil Jimenez)

Best Comic-Based Movie 2016

• Tony, Amy, Patty, and Listener's Choice – Captain America​: Civil War

Best Writer 2016

• Amy, Tony – Greg Rucka​ (“Wonder Woman”, “Black Magick”, “Stumptown”, & “Lazarus”)
• Patty – Nick Spencer (“Captain America: Sam Wilson”, “The Astonishing Ant-Man”, & “The Fix”)
• Listener’s Choice – Rick Remender (“Black Science”, “Low”, “Seven to Eternity”, “Tokyo Ghost”, “Devolution”, & “Deadly Class”)
• Honorable Mentions: Dan Slott, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Marguerite Bennett, Ryan North, & Jason Aaron

Breakthrough Creator 2016

• Patty – Tom King (“Vision”, “Batman”, “The Omega Men”, “Sheriff of Babylon”, & “Grayson”)
• Amy – Gerard Way​ (editor: Young Animal, writer: “Doom Patrol”, “Shade The Changing Girl”, & “Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye”)
• Tony – Brittney L. Williams (“Patsy Walker: AKA Hellcat” & “Goldie Vance”)
• Listener’s Choice – Matt Kindt​ (“Dept H”, “Ether”, “Divinity II”, “Divinity III”, “4001AD”, “Ninjak”, & “Rai”)

Series with The Best Covers 2016

• Tony – “Monstress” (by Sana Takeda)
• Patty – “Island” (by Simon Roy, Lin Visel, Malachi Ward, Matt Sheean, Michael DeForge​, Johnnie Christmas, Marian Churchland, & Fil Barlow)
• Amy – “Scarlet Witch” (by David Aja)
• Listener’s Choice – “Saga” (by Fiona Staples)

Motor Girl, Vaulty Award Winner

Best Limited Series 2016

• Amy, Tony – “Vision” (by Tom King & Gabriel Hernandez Walta)
• Patty – “Superman: American Alien” (by Max Landis​, Nick Dragotta​, Matthew Clark, Tommy Lee Edwards, Doc Shaner, Joelle Jones, Mark Buckingham, Jae Lee, Steve Dillon, Francis Manapul​, Jonathan Case, & Jock)
• Listener’s Choice – “"Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (by James Tynion IV​ & Freddie E. Williams II)

Best Tween / Young-Adult Comic 2016

• Patty and Listener's Choice – “Goldie Vance” (by Hope Larson & Brittney L. Williams)
• Amy – “Lumberjanes” (by Kat Leyh, Shannon Watters, Carey Pietsch, & Ayme Sotuyo)
• Tony – “Joyride” (by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, & Marcus To)

Best Superhero Comic 2016

• Tony, Amy – “Wonder Woman” (by Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, Liam Sharp, & Bilquis Evely)
• Patty – “Silver Surfer” (by Dan Slott​ & Mike Allred​)
• Listener’s Choice – “Vision” (by Tom King & Gabriel Hernandez Walta)

Best Moment of Squeee 2016

• Amy – Peter sings to Robot Kitty Pryde in “Star-Lord & Kitty Pryde #3” (by Sam Humphries & Alti Firmansyah)
• Tony – 1st appearance of Jonathan The Actual Wolverine in “All-New Wolverine #7” (by Tom Taylor & Marcio Takara​)
• Patty – Persephone returns in “The Wicked + The Divine #18” (by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie)
• Listener’s Choice – Cyclops in “Death of X” (by Jeff Lemire​, Charles Soule, & Aaron Kuder​)

Best New-to-You Comic

• Patty – “Arrowsmith” (by The Official Kurt Busiek Page​ & Carlos Pacheco) (2003)
• Amy – “Kingdom Come” (by Mark Waid​ & Alex Ross) (1996)
• Tony – “Rachel Rising” (by Terry Moore Art​) (2011)
• Listener’s Choice – “East of West” (by Jonathan Hickman​ & Nick Dragotta) (2013)

Vaulty Award Winner for Best Kids/All-Ages Comic 2016

Best Kids / All-Ages Comic 2016

• Tony – “Above The Clouds” (by Melissa Pagluica​)
• Patty – “Bird Boy” (by Anne Szabla)
• Amy – “Space Battle Lunchtime” (by Natalie Riess)
• Listener’s Choice – “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” (by Christina Rice, Agnes Garbowska​, Ted Anderson, Brenda Hickey, Katie Cook, Andy Price, Thomas Zahler, & AMF)

The I Love You Man Award for Best Recommendation To You By Someone From Cracking The Vault in 2016

• Amy – “Pretty Deadly” (recommended by Tony), “Rebels” (recommended by Patty), & “Vision” (recommended by Jake)
• Tony – “DC Bombshells” (recommended by Amy), “Vision” (recommended by Patty & Jake)
• Patty – “Supergirl: Being Super” (recommended by Tony)
• Listener’s Choice – “Paper Girls” (recommended by we all)

The Zdarsky Award for Funniest Comic 2016

• Tony – “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #6 / Howard the Duck #6” [“Animal House”] (by Ryan North, Chip Zdarsky, Erica Henderson, & Joe Quinones)
• Patty – “Howard The Duck” (by Chip Zdarsky & Joe Quinones)
• Amy – “Patsy Walker: AKA Hellcat” (by Kate Leth & Brittney L. Williams)
• Listener’s Choice – “Giant Days” (by John Allison & Max Sarin)

East of West, Vaulty Award Winner

Best Comic Villain 2016

• Tony – Brian Michael Bendis for “Civil War II”
• Patty – Shalla-Bal from “Silver Surfer” (by Dan Slott & Mike Allred)
• Amy – Ananke from “The Wicked + The Divine” (by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie)
• Listener’s Choice – The Horsemen from “East of West” (by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Dragotta)

Best New Ongoing Series 2016

• Patty and Listener's Choice – “Ether” (by Matt Kindt & Dave Rubin​)
• Amy – “Wonder Woman” (by Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, Liam Sharp, & Bilquis Evely)
• Tony – “Motor Girl” (by Terry Moore)

Best Colorist 2016

• Patty – Mike del Mundo / Marco D'Alfonso (“Weirdworld”)
• Tony and Listener's Choice – Matt Wilson (“Paper Girls”, “The Mighty Thor”, “The Wicked + The Divine”, “Black Widow”, “Cry Havoc”, “Phonogram”, & “Captain Marvel”)
• Amy – Hwei Lim (”Mirror”)

The Flow My Tears Award for Saddest Moment In Comics 2016

• Tony, Amy, and Listener's Choice – “Saga #38” (by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples)
• Patty – “Vision #12” (by Tom King & Gabriel Hernandez Walta)

Comic of the Year 2016

• Patty, Amy – “Vision” (by Tom King & Gabriel Hernandez Walta)
• Tony – “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” (by Ryan North & Erica Henderson)
• Listener’s Choice – “East of West” (by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Dragotta)

The Year of the Creatives Begins Today

You probably noticed how much we love Sacramento. If not, just take a look at our calendar of events -- past and present.

In 2017, we've decided to really connect the dots. We're celebrating creatives and creative acts all year long.

Get into Sacramento's creative culture

We hope you'll join us in getting to know Sacramento's creative culture. Maybe you'll learn something about our creative community that you didn't know or hadn't experienced before. If you do, please share it with us.

Do something creative you haven't done before

Today is the first day of 2017. Three hundred and sixty-four days from today what creative endeavors would you like to have accomplished? Better yet, how about 90 days from now? What one or two new creative endeavors are on your bucket list? Let's do it -- together -- because we have one or two things on our list also.

Next time you're in the shop, asks us what we're up to and let us know what's on your list. Also, stay tuned for new opportunities to experience Sacramento's creative culture.

And if you're not already on our mailing list, you might want to sign up. It's going to be an exciting year.

Comic Book Savings Program

Comic Book Savings Program

Members will receive special discounts, Free Comic Book Day benefits, advance or extended sales, advanced registration for special events, and other benefits. Please see the Savings Program Benefits section and read the FAQ below for complete details.

Enroll today: Download the Savings Program Sign Up Form or ask for one in the shop.

Program Requirements

1. You are at least 18 years of age
2. A current email address for communication of Savings Program's benefits
3. A current phone number on file with Empire’s Comics Vault
4. Membership requires that you subscribe to at least one current comic book title
5. Note: Program benefits may not be combined with any other offer, sales or promotion unless explicitly specified.

Savings Program Benefits

1. One time sign-up bonus: 10% off coupon
2. Members get 10% off regular-priced softcover and hardcover graphic novel and collected editions, all year long, for each and every purchase. Also, bring a guest into the VIP line on FCBD.
3. 50% off Previews comic book catalog: You'll always receive your copy of Previews at 50% off the cover price. Just add it to your Savings Program subscription list! We usually sell out of Previews every month, so if you don't want it every month, just give us a month's advance notice and we'll make sure we have a copy for you. 
4. Annual Subscription Sale: Normally, we don't put new comic books on sale, but as a member of the Savings Program, at least one time every year, they'll be on sale for you!
5. Members Only Appreciation Event: You'll be invited to an annual appreciation event. Additional details will be announced toward the end of the year. 
6. Exclusive Savings & Offers: Each month you'll receive one of any number of specials, such as a free comic book, a discount coupon, advance or extended sales, advance registration for special events, Free Comic Book Day Advanced Title Selection, a "Pick Your Own Day Sale" coupon, or the ever elusive 10% Power Up Coupon to get a better discount during sales. 
7. Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Advanced Title Selection: On Free Comic Book Day there's a long line and a long wait, and depending on when you get there, the title(s) you want may be gone! This benefit will help you skip the line! You'll get to pre-select a number of titles to ensure you get the ones you want the most! If you want more after that, you can get into a special Savings Program members only VIP line that will reduce your wait time! Another amazing thing about this benefit is that, if for some reason you can't make it out that day, you'll still have the FCBD titles you wanted. But be warned, you'll have to pick them up within 7 days or they'll be released to someone else! To take advantage of this benefit, a member must sign up by December 31 in the year prior to the FCBD and maintain a membership in good standing in January, February, March and April of each year’s FCBD. New membership sign-ups in January through May do not qualify for that year's FCBD but will qualify for this benefit in the following year.
8. FCBD VIP Line + Early Access: Skip the long line, and get right into the special line for savings program members -- a.k.a., the VIP line. Additionally, gain access to the store, sale, and mini-con 30 minutes (and sometimes 60 minutes) early. 
9. Free Comic Book Month: Every Saturday there are more freebies -- available only to Savings Program Members. Freebies may include free comic books (different than the current year's FCBD titles), graphic novels, collected editions, toys, and more.
10. Free bags and boards: Well, ok, you've got us on this one! Everyone who shops at Empire's Comics Vault receives bags and boards for all new comics.
11. Event discounts: Most of our store events are free, but when there's an entry fee, you'll most likely get a discount.
12. More to come!

Download the Savings Program Sign Up Form

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When do my Savings Program benefits begin? As soon as you sign up, you receive 10% off your comic book purchase right on the spot! Then you'll receive your first benefit email in the month following the month you signed up. Special rules apply in order to qualify for the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Advanced Title Selection benefit. Read more about FCBD Advanced Title Selection in the Savings Program Benefits section above.
2. How much does it cost? Nothing. It's totally free.
3. How long does it last? As long as you want, and as long as we continue the Savings Program. You may discontinue membership at any time.
4. What does it mean to "SUBSCRIBE" to a comic book title? You give us a list of the titles you want. When those titles come out, we put them on hold for you.
5. How do I subscribe? You subscribe to titles by writing the name of the books you want on the form when you sign up.
6. How do I change my subscription list of wanted titles? You may add and remove titles from this list at any given time by communicating such changes to us via telephone (916-482-8779), email (empirescv@hotmail.com), in person, or in writing (1120 Fulton Avenue, Suite K, Sacramento, CA 95825).
7. What are the benefits of subscribing versus just picking them up myself? Besides the monthly benefits and Free Comic Book Day benefits you'll receive from being a part of this Savings Program, you also avoid not being able to find a title you want because it has sold out.
8. What if I come in to pick up my comic book subscription titles that are being held for me, but there are some titles in the stack that I don't want anymore? You are never at any time required to purchase any title being saved for you if they are no longer wanted for any reason. We can also update your list to reflect those changes.
9. How do I cancel my membership in the Savings Program? Just let us know and we'll remove you from the program. It's that easy. Then you can go back to getting your comics at your own convenience.
10. How often do I have to purchase the comics I've subscribed to? Membership benefits require that you keep your account in good standing by picking up your comics regularly and/or updating your list regularly.
11. What if I want to stay in the program but my circumstances change? We've been reading comics for a long time and understand the ups and downs of life and how that effects our comic book reading. Just talk to us and we can work it out together. You may also decide to reduce the titles on your list in order to stay within a budget. Remember, you can go as low as one current title! 
12. How often do comic book titles come out? It varies by title. Some comic book titles come out every week, every other week, or monthly.
13. How much does a comic book cost? Most titles range in price $2.99 and $3.99, but depending on the size and format, they can be more or less. 
14. Why is there a qualification period for the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Advanced Selection benefit? To prevent program abuses. For example, someone might join the Savings Program in April so that they can get free titles held for them, then go to another shop to pick up duplicates on FCBD (1st Saturday in May), and then cancel their membership in the Savings Program. Why? For one, some free titles can be sold online for profit. We understand being crazy about comic books, but that's where we draw the line! Haha.
15. What is Free Comic Book Day (FCBD)? FCBD is the single most popular comic book celebration taking place each year in cities all around the world. It takes place on the 1st Saturday in May each year.
16. How is Free Comic Book Day celebrated? Each comic book shop celebrates it differently, but the one thing each celebration has in common is free comic books. Typically fifty different titles are made available for retailers to order. Still, there can be a great degree of how those comic books are distributed. One shop may only permit you to take two titles. Another make segregate the titles into "most wanted titles" and "other titles" and permit you to take only a few from the most wanted section, but one of each from the other titles. At Empire's Comics Vault we know what it is to love comics, so we allow anyone who attends our FCBD event to take one of each title that they really want. That's unheard of in the Sacramento area. We only ask that enthusiasts take only what they'll read, no more than one copy per title, and only for themselves.

Our Comic Book Savings Program began January 2013.

NOTE: TERMS AND CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
###

Art, Music, Comics, and Community in December

We have a month full of good times just waiting for you.

ART

All month long, the gorgeous art of Sarah Kraft is featured in Empire's Art Gallery. Be sure to join us for her art reception on December 17.

MUSIC

We're all about the bands -- especially Ghoul School and Dog Rifle! They're playing Empire's After Hours on December 16.

Check out their melodious tunes and then come see them live in the shop.

LAUGHTER

THIS FRIDAY, we're bringing all the best laughs and putting them into the shop for Empire's After Hours' Stand Up Comedy. This is for mature audiences only (i.e., not for the kids!).

COMMUNITY

On December 8, join our comic book discussion group as we talk about Empowered (Vol. 1) by Adam Warren.

A whole bunch of us from the shop are going to see Rogue One on December 15. Want to join us? There might be space.

Finally, our annual TOY DRIVE with Sacramento Comic Creator's Group runs through the 17th. Please bring toys and other gifts for children in need. We'll deliver them to the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home where they'll be placed with children. If you want to go above and beyond, check out their Wish List.

Black Friday WEEKEND SALE!!!!!

Friday, November 25 (BEST SALE DAY!)

Hours: 9am-8pm

35% OFF Graphic novels

40% OFF Toys, posters, statues and games

Back Issues $5 and under ONLY .50c

Back Issues $5.01-$10 ONLY $1

Back Issues $10.01-$15 ONLY $2

Back Issues $15.01+ 75% OFF

Saturday, November 26

Hours: 11am-8pm

25% OFF Graphic novels

30% OFF Toys, posters, statues and games

Back Issues $5 and under ONLY $1

Back Issues $5.01-$10 ONLY $2

Back Issues $10.01-$15 ONLY $3

Back Issues $15.01+ 50% OFF

Sunday, November 27

Hours: 12pm-5pm

50% OFF Back Issues

20% OFF Toys, posters, statues and games

15% OFF Graphic novels

2016 Costume Contest Winners

Congratulations to our winners! Come back and play again next year. Winners may collect their prizes when Ben is in the shop.

• Entry 04 -- Grand prize: $50 in regular priced back issues
• Entry 02 -- Second prize: $25 in regular priced back issues
• Entry 06 -- Third prize: $10 in regular priced back issues

Vote for Best Halloween Costume 2016

Alrighty! The entries are in. There are 7. And now it's time to vote.

The voting box will be active in the righthand sidebar of EmpiresComics.com. Voting ends Sunday, November 13 at 9pm.

Ready. Set. Vote!

Expand this post to see all the entries.

Two Pumpkin Entries Equals Two Winners

We received two entries into the pumpkin carving contest -- so we have two winners. We've decided to award them both $25 in back issues. 

And the winners are...

In no particular order:

• Rentera Kreb, untitled piece
• Lanaya Nilsson, "Pumpkin's Revenge"

And here's the art for both winning pumpkins. 

Note to winners: Please stop in any day that Ben is here to collect your prize.

Spooky Sale and Free Halloween Comicfest Books

FREE COMICS & SALE!!!

Saturday, October 29th

11am - 8pm

Select 2 FREE Halloween Comicfest comic books.

Kids may select 3.

Plus, enjoy our  "Spooky Sale."

Spooky Sale Discounts

• Take 20% off any horror, monster or spooky comic book, toy, graphic novel, etc., if you're not in full costume.
• BUT you'll get 25% off if you're in full costume.
• Have fun with this: Convince Ben that the comic book you want contains spooky, monsterific, or horror elements and you might just get the book at sale prices!
• BONUS TIP: As long as you're in full costume: on Halloween, from 3 pm on, Chipotle is running their Boorito special -- just $3 for any burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos. 

Comic Books for Halloween Candy Trade-In Program

Starting Saturday, October 29th and running through Saturday, November 5th, we'll trade comic books for Halloween candy! Children, ages 13 and under, can trade in Halloween candy for comic books.

Comic Books Are Cavity-Free

We have a small bowl that fills up very easily -- we tested it!

To trade in candy:

1. Fill our small candy measurement bowl with candy to receive one single-issue comic book.

2. It fills easily and quickly, so fill it up again for another comic book.

3. There's no limit to the comics* you can get for trading in comics.

4. Fill the bowl four times for four single-issue comics, or trade up for a collected edition* (which typically includes 4-6 issues)!

Note: Select children's titles only. Available while supplies last.

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.