Adopt a Comic: Win Elk's Run #1

[NOTE: Updated contest info here.]

Generally speaking, the Comics Blogiverse is relatively united when it comes to showing love for indie comics and harping on the need to support them, with several sites even running contests giving away copies of trade paperbacks of series they want more people to read. I've been sitting on the idea myself, planning to run such a contest for 100 Girls when its TPB becomes available, but realized today that, while a nice gesture, when it comes to indies, "waiting for the trade" can often be a death sentence.

Serendipitously, I received in the mail today my order of two copies of Elk's Run #1 direct from its publisher, Hoarse & Buggy Productions, which is due to arrive in better comic book shops this Wednesday. I read a PDF preview of the issue a couple of weeks back, loved it, did an interview with its creator/writer, Joshua Hale Fialkov, and can now happily confirm that the issue is even better in print. Because I live in New York City, I have access to one of the best shops around in Midtown Comics, where my own copy of Elk's Run #1 will be sitting in my folder when I get there on Wednesday.

Sadly, many of you reading this will not be so lucky.

And so, Comic Book Commentary happily announces its first contest, Adopt a Comic, in which we will be giving away not one, but TWO copies of Elk's Run #1. How can you give this excellent comic book a deserving home without spending a dime? Pretty simple, really, you just have to speak up, in one of two categories:

1) Leave a comment here about your local comic book retailer (or, if you're stuck in a direct market No Man's Land, your favorite e-retailer) and what kind of indie selection they offer. If it's great, give 'em props and give us details. If it's lacking, explain why you think that is and what indie publishers might be able to do about it. In either case, include your zip code, which I will check with Diamond Comics Distributors to see what retailers, if any, are in your area. Zip Code is required for valid entry, and must match the shipping address for winning entries.

or,

2) Leave a comment about your favorite indie comic book currently being published and why more people should be reading it. Be persuasive, but concise. Save the long-winded reviews for your own site! Due to their prime visibility in the front of Previews, comics published by Image, Dark Horse and DC/Marvel's various imprints are NOT considered indies for the sake of this contest.

The contest will close and TWO winners will be selected at Noon EST, April 15th. Ideally, there will be one winner from each category, but not necessarily. The best two entries, as judged by me, will win. Individuals may submit an entry for both categories, but no more than one for each. Winning comics will be shipped FREE via First Class mail.

Please feel free to spread the word about this contest. And be sure to check out Greg Burgas' Scurvy Dogs contest which ends this Thursday.

NOTE: If you're reading this on the LiveJournal feed, please go to the main site to leave your comment entry.

UPDATE: If you're having trouble leaving a comment (Blogger's been buggy the past few days), email me your entry at glecharles at gmail dot com.