Limited-Edition Merpug Pin celebrates Creative Women Mini-Con
/We're celebrating this Saturday's Creative Women Mini-Con with an LE Merpug lapel pin! -- AND it comes with magical benefits to its bearer!
Read MoreSupport Literacy in Sacramento - Walk with us
/Let's Walk for Literacy
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Join Our Team
We're looking for 50 walkers to help raise money to support literacy. PLUS, when we reach 50, you'll be the reason why our PUG logo is on the back of the event shirt!
HOW TO REGISTER
Visit
, select "
register
", then "
join a team
", complete the online sign-up form, and be sure to
select "Empires Comics Vault" in the field called, "Team you want to join."
Paint the star-filled sky. LEGO build. New Tote!
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We invite you to paint with us. Even if you've never painted in your life, you will walk out that night with a completed work of art. It makes for the perfect Friday night.
We'll have Sacramento's LEGO Brickbuilders in the shop on Saturday. Bring your bricks and let's build.
And finally, you can help us decide on our Winter merchandise. Register your vote today. Details below.
Friday, September 14 - 6:30 PM
Happy Paint Evening
Release your inner painter. We provide the supplies and instruction. And YOU create the masterpiece. $40. Get your tickets online before they're all gone.
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
Saturday, September 15 - 11:00 AM
Sac Brick Builders Meet-up
Brick by brick, wonderous creations come to life. Stop by to meet other LEGO enthusiasts.
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
$13 (Shipping available)
Limited Edition
Comics Tote Bag
Soon to be SOLD OUT. B&W Comics Tote.
Pick one up in the store or order your bag online.
HELP US PICK OUR NEXT...
Hoodie? Beanie? Shot Glass?
Creative Women Mini-Con 2018 Complete Exhibitor List
/Creative Women Mini-Con returns for its 6th year--and we have some exciting exhibitors for you to meet. We've assembled eighteen of the region's most talented creative women. And of course, we’re celebrating with a storewide sale (details below).
Date: Saturday, September 29, 2018
Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Empire's Comics Vault
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CREATIVE WOMEN MINI-CON 2018
In this post, we'll share:
A complete list of this year's creative women -- all interview and social media links
Sale details
What to expect at the mini-con
Sale Details
50% off Back Issues
25% off Toys
15% off Trades
Members: check your email for October's benefit so that you can level up your sale discounts!
What to expect at Creative Women Mini-Con
Admission is free.
When you support an artist by making a purchase at their table, they keep 100% of the earnings. Pay the artist directly, not the store at the counter.
Art purchased from theArt Gallery wall should be purchased from the store counter, not the artist's table.
The event starts at 11 am and goes until 5 pm.
Need food? Visit one of the restaurants in the shopping center and bring it back to the shop if you'd like. Feel free to sit at the couches to take a break.
2018 Creative Women Mini-Con Exhibitors
Take a moment to enjoy the interviews (coming soon) we did with each exhibitor. Also, below you'll find a little about each creative woman, a link to their most recent interview, and links to some of their online profiles.
Mariko Tamaki:
"Mariko Tamaki is the author of the YA novel Saving Montgomery Sole and the co-creator of award winning comics This One Summer and Skim (with Jillian Tamaki), and Emiko Superstar (Steve Rolston). In 2015, This One Summer received Printz and Caldecott Honors, the Eisner for Best Graphic Album–New, and Canada’s Governor General’s award. Mariko maintains a solid fascination with the complex process by which teenagers become, or try to become, grown ups. She has also written for BOOM! Studios, Marvel, and DC Comics, working with She-Hulk and Supergirl. Mariko Tamaki began her career as a playwright and performance artist in Toronto, Ontario, working with fat activists Pretty, Porky and Pissed Off and performing and writing plays for Buddies in Bad Times Theater, a world leader in developing queer voices for the stage. Her first film, “Happy 16th Birthday, Kevin,” premiered at the Inside Out Festival in 2013. In addition to her literary work, Mariko holds a Master’s in Women’s Studies and worked for two years on a doctorate in Linguistic Anthropology. Her academic research focused on accents used in drag cabaret performances. Her research inspired an ongoing obsession with the way people talk." (Source: macmillanspeakers.com)
Mariko is currently writing X-23 and Hunt For Wolverine Claws Of A Killer for Marvel Comics. You will know her from She-Hulk, Supergirl Being Super, New Super-Man, and her creator-owned books, This One Summer, Skim, among others.
Amber Rankin: Amber is a graphic artist and animator living in Sacramento, CA. For over five years she has worked to create maps & illustrate artifacts at a small environmental planning and archaeology company in Sacramento. She received her Bachelors in Art Studio and Sociology from the University of California, Davis and MFA in 2D Animation from the Academy of Art University. When not at her animation desk, Amber can be found drinking way too much coffee, trying to learn Irish Dance, or dreaming about life in another time period.
www.ambermations.com | @Ambermations | Tumblr | Instagram: @Ambermations
Bianca Kim: Bianca creates embroidered fabric pinback buttons with short sayings that can be worn on backpacks, purses and jacket collars. She shows at the Stockmarket craft fair in Stockton, CA. She started 2017 by showing her work in Empire's Comic Vault's art gallery in January and then offered a beginner course for embroidery in her booth at the Stockmarket craft fair in Stockton.
Interview (2017) | Etsy | Twitter: @FreshBiscuitsBK | Facebook | Instagram: @FreshBiscuits
Brittainy Barnes: Brittainy Barnes (Indie Artful) is a self-taught artist, primarily working in watercolor and ink. When not working full-time and completing her Master’s program, she watches Star Wars and paints her favorite Characters. She first realized she could go "semi-pro" when a painting of K2-S0 gained Reddit “Front Page” Status, with ready buyers of Star Wars art prints. Lately she’s started to specialize in tattoo-style “flash”, and hopes to create and sell custom nerdy tattoo designs.
Twitter: @IndieArtful | Instagram: @Indie.Artful | Etsy: IndieArtful
Carrie Alskar: Hi, my name is Carrie. Originally from Missouri I moved to California on a whim. My art style currently seems to revolve around hair that defies gravity, "stained glass patterns" as others call it, and eyes in more places than where your two are. I am also currently open for commissions I work with acrylics sometimes but most of my time on art is filled with ink lines and markers for coloring.
Patreon: AlskarBear | Twitch: @AlskarBear | Instagram: @CarrieAlskar
Crystaline Owen: Crystaline Owen is a California raised artist who works mostly in watercolors and inks. She has a degree in art education and now enjoys teaching art to small children. She's been using watercolors for 10 years and finds most of her inspiration in nature.
Elizabeth Merrifield: Elizabeth Merrifield is a 15 year old artist (Who will turn 16 on the day of CWMC), and has been really working in her art for about 5 years. She was accepted into the Sheldon High School Artworks Academy in 2016. she draws inspiration from her friends, Pinterest, Anime and High School Life, as well as the world at large. She enjoys experimenting with all kinds of media, including charcoal, pastels, markers, pencil, watercolor and acrylics. She hopes to eventually sell her art and possibly work as a graphic designer or animator.
Heather Merrifield: Heather Merrifield is a photographer and graphic artist, who enjoys taking photos to show how beautiful the mundane can be; capturing everyday moments in an unusual way. Recently she has been working more with photo manipulation, trying her hand at more fanciful creations, straying toward the fantasy realm. Fantasy and reality often combine to give the same photograph several different incarnations. Every aspect of photography fascinates her, and she can’t get enough of the medium.
Twitter: @HeatherLeeArtPh | Facebook | Instagram: @HeatherLeeArtPhotography
Helen Lam: Helen is an artist from Sacramento temporarily transplanted in Santa Clara. She graduated from Sacramento State where her instructors pushed her to paint her feelings but she mostly just draws what she feels like while taking on occasional commissions. Though she loves working in many different mediums, she feels that digitally painting in Photoshop gives her the most flexibility. Her main love is portraiture whether it be people or animals.
Jen Monson: Jen is constantly delighted by new ideas. She uses trial and error to explore new approaches to her art. Her ultimate goal is to help others feel a sense of peace and joy. A smile on someone's face is the ultimate final touch. Jen draws, paints, sculpts, and crafts in multiple media. Currently she is fascinated by koi fish and has created a great variety of art featuring koi, working with paints, cardboard, and other fascinating media. Jen painted a pond of koi on the walls of Empire's bathroom. Currently, she helps novices explore painting at her monthly evening of painting at Empire's Comics Vault. At that event, students receive everything they need, including instruction, to complete a painting in one night.
Interview (2017) | Twitter: @JenMonson | Facebook | Instagram: @jenuoneart | Etsy
Julie Okahara: Julie Okahara was born in Osaka, Japan. After graduating from Osaka Industrial Arts High School, she started her career as a graphic designer. Wanting to further her studies in studio art, Okahara came to California in 2005. Since then her mediums have expanded into acrylic painting, ink drawing, sewing, and plaster, wood, and clay sculpture. She still likes to claim herself as a self-taught artist, since she didn’t take any painting classes in college, yet most of her works are mixed media paintings. Her style is influenced by both Japanese and American pop art culture. She likes putting different everyday life items together to create her own world. Her first solo show took place in Midtown Sacramento in 2010 where she won acclaim and a following for her signature use of bright colors and mixed media. She has since put on more solo shows and has been in multiple group exhibitions in Bay Area and Sacramento. Her artwork was featured at Empire's Comics Vault in March.
julieokahara.com | Twitter: @JulieOkahara | Facebook | Instagram: @JulieOkahara | Twitch: Julieee22
Kassandra Gamez: Kassandra is a comics creating artist. She's worked at some cool companies, but maybe not in the art department, for example, dA and Disney Interactive. Kassandra is a huge fan of comics, zines, and Corgis. This will be her second time exhibiting at CWMC.
Tumblr | Twitter: @Kozispoon | Instagram: @kozispoon | DeviantArt
Kelly Van Gaasbeck: Kelly's focus is storytelling and whimsical thoughts. She works mostly with ink, metallic and monoprints. She spent 2 years in Japan, teaching and learning and wandering across the country, where she came to love telling stories in small spaces.
Interview (2017) | Facebook | Instagram: @Fireflirt
Kristine Balog: Kristine is an Art Historian, oil painter, and author who has dedicated her life to the Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio. She is both an academic and creative, teaching Art History as a profession and channeling her passion into creating comic books and authoring novels. She has authored numerous academic articles and has been teaching at the collegiate level for five years.
Interview (2017) | KristineBalog.com | Twitter: @KristineArt | Facebook | Instagram: @KristineArt | Article by K. Balog: "Caravaggio’s Darkness: A Sinner’s Reputation with a Saint’s Heart" - ElectrumMagazine.com
Maia & Kaimani: Maia and Kaimani are 9 and 8 years old, respectively. Both Maia and Kaimani are enthusiastic artists who enjoy making comics, drawing, painting, jewelry making and pretty much flexing their imaginations in any creative capacity. Growing up with empowering and inspiring storytelling such as the films of Hayao Miyazaki and shows like Steven Universe, they are also equally influenced by their comics-making dad, their jewelry-making mom, and Sacramento's thriving comics and art scenes.
Interview (2017)
Rachel Ann Millar: Rachel Ann Millar is a San Francisco native now residing in the Concord, California with her new husband, two cats, and the best small dog ever. She spends her time working on comics or doodling about video games and her D&D characters. Her favorite genre of entertainment is horror and she fills the silence of drawing with youtube videos of grown men screaming in terror and true crime podcasts. Her bookshelves are an artbook and comic library that she happily shares with anyone who would care. Her collections of zines and art unify around the theme of education, such as Some Girls Are Fat and What Did You Call Me?
RachelAnnMillar.com | Twitter: @RachelAnnMillar | Instagram: @RachelAnnMillar
Rachel Strum: Local wand-maker Rachel Strum handcrafts fantasy wands. With a background ranging from illustration to stained glass, Rachel’s experience in mixed media has inspired wands unlike any others. Beginning by hand selecting quality supplies, pairing gems individually with wood bases, and then intensively layering mixed media, her wands capture the imagination and inspire a sense of beauty. The delicate balance between beauty and practicality within all her whimsical creations has sprouted from the needs in her life, be it simple toys or giant strawberry pillows. Transforming common materials into playful creations is a labor of love inspired by Rachel’s belief that everyday should come with a touch of magic.
Sarah René Kraft: Sarah is a Sacramento-based illustrator, colorist, storyteller, and all around sketchy lady. Experience her work in the illustrated comic world of the Greek mythology-inspired “Blind Follies,” and her upcoming artbook in progress "Lemiscus," among other various arts and projects.
Currently, she is working on a 78-card tarot deck evolved from the imagery and symbolism already established in the original ribbon series. Look out for news regarding a Patreon campaign, soon to be announced!
SketchyKraft.com | Interview (2017) | Instagram: @SketchyKraft | Twitter: @SketchyKraft | Facebook
How To Feed Your Parents - Release Party
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It's a special week for us!
Sacramento local author Ryan Miller will release his new book, "How To Feed Your Parents." And we have him in the shop for it this Wednesday.
Ryan is also a member of our official podcast, Cracking the Vault Podcast, and was recently interviewed about his new release. Check out the interview here.
Wednesday, August 8 @ 5 PM
Release Party with Ryan Miller
Meet author Ryan Miller and pick up a copy of his new book, "How To Feed Your Parents."
About the book:
Matilda's parents are freaked out about eating anything outside of chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, and four other foods. Join the fun as Matilda tries to help her parents break out of their food rut.
Thursday, August 9 @ 6:30 PM
Graphic Novel Discussion
Every month, we have a graphic novel discussion. Show and let's talk comics. This week we're discussing Kelly Sue DeConnick's "Bitch Planet."
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
Friday, August 10 @ 6:30 PM
You too can paint at
"Happy Paint Evening"
For $40, we'll provide you everything needed -- including the instructor -- to paint a masterpiece! NO prior art experience needed. Limited to 15 seats only.
Explore the pop-culture-themed art of Josh Barker. From Jurassic Park to an Incredibles/Fantastic Four mashup, you don't want to miss Josh's one of a kind art. See his works in the shop all month long. Then join us for Josh's Art Reception on August 18.
COMING SOON
8/17 - Rifftrax High School Musical
8/18 - Josh Barker Art Reception
8/31 - After-hours Stand Up Comedy
New limited edition comics bag
/Get your new limited edition comics bag before it's too late. Our first bag sold out quickly. Now our new bag is available. It will retail at $14.99 but we are offering it for a limited time only at $13.00.
Purchase for In-store Pick-up
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Purchase with $4.99 Shipping
We'll send it to you
Laugh it up, puggy
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Come out and sketch this month's cosplay model. Then, later that week, join us for after-hours comedy.
Wednesday, July 25 - 6:00 PM
LIVE MODEL SKETCH: NOVEMBER COSPLAY
Inspiration to create awaits you. Cosplay model November Cosplay will be in the shop. $10.
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
Friday, July 27 - 8:00 PM
COMEDY NIGHT
Adults-only, standup comedy awaits you. Get your laughter engine revved up. Lights go off and then the laughter starts. Free admission. Tip the funny people.
COMING SOON
8/10 - Happy Paint Evening
The Kristen Gudsnuk Interview and more this week
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It's a full week with plenty to do: watch our recent Kristen Gudsnuk interview or talk about the first two volumes of Vision. Then join us to "get your paint on."
LIVE, online tonight. Join us for an interview with the comic book artist/illustrator of Henchgirl. Online at live.empirescomics.com. Click to view the Facebook calendar event.
Thursday, July 12 - 6:30 PM
"VISION" GRAPHIC NOVEL DISCUSSION GROUP
We'll be discussing volumes 1 and 2 of Vision. All are welcome. Come join the discussion -- or just be a fly on the wall. Click to view the Facebook calendar event.
Friday, July 13 - 6:30 PM
HAPPY PAINT EVENING
For only $40 you get all the supplies you need and the instruction to paint that image above. Ben painted at the 1st Happy Paint Evening -- and is doing it again. He loves it. Sign up: TicketTailor.com. Click to view the Facebook calendar event.
COMING SOON
7/25 - Live Cosplay Model Sketch
7/27 - After-Hours Stand-up Comedy
Get artsy with 3 Sacramento Creatives
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It's time to get artsy -- and we have just the events to help. It starts with our cosplay model sketch and ends with an artist pop-up shop. Details right here.
Wednesday, June 27 - 6:00 PM
COSPLAY MODEL SKETCH
$10 gets you into to sketch our guest cosplay model. Paint, sculpt, draw -- whatever you like. This Wednesday is Summer Kay.
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
Saturday, June 30 - 4:00 PM
JULIE & JARED'S SKETCH NIGHT
- ONE DAY ONLY
This one-day event lets you take home an original sketch before anyone else! Our featured guests are Julie Okahara and Jared Konopitski. Prices will range from $10-$50.
NEW HOT SAUCE VIDEO
COMING SOON
7/05 - Ant-Man and Wasp Movie Crew
7/08 - Jaymi Pembroke Art Reception
7/10 - The Kristen Gudsnuk Interview - Live Online
Empire's Comics Vault goes to Sactown Union Brewery
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And you are invited!
Tuesday, June 19 - 6:00 PM
GAME NIGHT @ SACTOWN UNION BREWERY
We're taking Game Night on the road. We're headed to SacTown Union Brewery! They're a community-oriented microbrewery three short blocks from Sac State, just off the 50 east, 65th Street exit, in East Sacramento. They have food trucks and great free-delivery deals with local restaurants.
Click image or here to view the Facebook calendar event, so you can add it to your calendar and get reminders. Everyone's going to have a good time.
This is a child-friendly and dog-friendly place! Of course, please, please, keep them supervised at all time. :) Please note that due to license requirements children can only stay until 8 pm.
NEW HOT SAUCE VIDEO
COMING SOON
This Week: Pretty Deadly meets Pee-Wee Herman
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It's a rare week at Empire's when there's nothing going on, and this week is no different. Join us for deep, intellectual conversation and hilarious stupidity both!
Thursday, June 14 - 6:30 PM
GRAPHIC NOVEL DISCUSSION
This book will blow your mind or confuse your mind. Either way, it's worthy of consideration *and* discussion. Join us, and let's get into what in the world this book is all about. Come ready to listen and share. View the Facebook calendar event.
Friday, June 15 - 7:00 PM
FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT EMPIRE'S
Please tell us you've seen this movie, haha. Either way, come watch it with us. View the Facebook calendar event.
Synopsis: Pee-wee Herman loves his red bike. Someone wants to buy it. Pee-wee won't sell. The bike is stolen. Thinking his bike is at the Alamo, Pee-wee sets off on a trip, where he meets many remarkable people, including waitress Simone and a motorcycle gang. Eventually, Pee-wee discovers that his bike is being used in a movie and tries to recover it.
NEW HOT SAUCES IN STORE NOW
Hot Sauce Videos Coming Soon
COMING SOON
You CAN Paint and Build LEGO Masterpieces
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Ready to try something new? How about painting? Or LEGO building?
Friday, June 8 - 6:30 PM
HAPPY PAINT EVENING
Create a work of art, while having fun with old friends, and new. We provide everything you'll need to make a work of art you'll be excited to show off! NO prior art experience needed. Each month debuts a new painting for you to try out. Introductory $30 Entry Fee.
Tickets: Reserve Your Spot
Available seats: 15
Supplies and Guidance Provided, including:
11"x14" canvas, acrylic paints, brushes, aprons.
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
Saturday, June 9 - 11:00 AM
SAC BRICK BUILDERS MEETUP
Join us at Empire's Comics Vault to see what we've been building and talk with LEGO fanatics just like you! Feel free to bring something you've been working on too!
Click image to view the Facebook calendar event.
NEW HOT SAUCES IN STORE NOW
Things are heating up at
COMING SOON
6/14 - Pretty Deadly GN Discussion
We have a great group of guests at this year’s Creative Women Mini-Con 2025 on Saturday, October 11, starting at Noon. This year we welcome first-time exhibitors and some past favorites. Click through to find out who are joining us this year.