You Wanna Be in Proof?
20 Posted on Jan 13, 2009 in articles by Josh Flanagan |
This popped up Monday over at Image. Informed readers will know that Proof, while an exemplary book, is sadly not burning up the sales charts. So, why not rally the base and have a contest? All the info is below, and dear lord, go try the first trade if you haven't.
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*PROVE YOU'RE A PROOF FREAK AND WIN! *
*Contest allows fans the chance to become a PROOF freak! *
It's easy to say you're a big fan, but PROOF creators Alex Grecian and Riley Rossmo give you the chance to show it with the upcoming Prove You're A PROOF Freak Contest!
"Since issue number one, Riley and I have been blessed with a terrific fan base who often go out of their way with grassroots efforts to promote the series," Grecian said. "The Prove You're A PROOF Freak contest takes it one step further, by giving fans the chance to show off their fandom in a creative way - cut cardboard, sculpt ice, paint the side of your house, mow the logo into your corn field - do whatever it takes within legal means to show the world how much you love PROOF! Our favorite PROOF display could have three readers winning big!"
Photos of entries are due to letterstoproof@gmail.com no later than 12:00 PM EST time on April 1st, 2009. The top ten entries will be published in PROOF, with the second runner up receiving a copy of PROOF #1 signed by Grecian and the first runner up receiving an original sketch by Rossmo. The Grand Prize winner will be drawn into PROOF as a Victorian-era circus freak, created using their name and likeness, and will receive a page of art from the issue they appear in! In addition, those entries done in conjunction with their local comic book shop will also award their store with a signed copy of PROOF #1 and an original page of PROOF art!
*PROOF VOL. 1: GOATSUCKER* (MAR082085), a 128-page full-color tradepaperback for $9.99,
and
*PROOF VOL. 2: THE COMPANY OF MEN* (OCT082281), a 128-page full-color tradepaperback for $12.99, are available now.
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Thanks to Brikhed for the tip.
Comments
I actually have a good idea for this, but it will require the cooperation of my girlfriend. hmm....
Posted by SunnyvaleTrash on 01/13/09 at 01:23 PM
Awesome!
Posted by SuperMoore on 01/13/09 at 01:38 PM
i LOVE proof!!! so good!!
Posted by rayclark on 01/13/09 at 05:16 PM
I was always interested in this series, but this contest is actually going to make me pick up the first trade tomorrow.
Posted by MeanOldPig on 01/13/09 at 06:38 PM
Just ordered both trades on Sunday.
Posted by csama on 01/13/09 at 06:47 PM
This is a great book,. Get the trades if you don't have them. I have a couple ideas for this and I just might win. It involes a stuffed goat, a nine iron, dry ice, a blow up doll.......
Posted by twooldridge on 01/13/09 at 06:56 PM
Looks like my sixteen month old niece is getting her first tattoo tonight.
Posted by AMuldowney on 01/13/09 at 09:04 PM
i love the enthusiasm that everyone is showing - if you are not reading this series you are missing out... grab the trades, it is so worth it
Posted by BrikHed on 01/13/09 at 10:17 PM
classic contest idea. i digs. i will spread the word friend.
Posted by Quentin on 01/13/09 at 10:45 PM
+ I just finished Proof Volume 1 right before the end of last year, good stuff.
Posted by Quentin on 01/13/09 at 10:47 PM
I literally just hot the first trade of Proof in the mail today from Instocktrades, weird coincidence...OR IS IT!!????
Posted by selftitled on 01/14/09 at 12:16 AM
Just get your dog to swallow a metal statue that says "Proof" and x-ray him and take a picture! That will probably win.
Posted by chlop on 01/14/09 at 01:28 AM
All I need is clippers and an hour in front of the mirror. Thats right, I'm gonna shave the logo into my chest!
Posted by ActualButt on 01/14/09 at 03:42 AM
It's a shame a book as great as this has to resort to this kind of stunt for publicity. I sincerely hope it helps.
As for my idea, it involves whipped cream, a goat, a cougar (one of the middle-aged kind, not the animal), a 1972 Ford Pinto, Gary Coleman, and "Heartbeat, It's a Love Beat" by the DeFranco Family, but I've said too much already. Don't want anyone stealing my idea.
Posted by Dan on 01/14/09 at 10:07 AM
I don't see it as them being forced to resort to a stunt so much as a smart marketing move that's also fun for the fans.
Posted by ohcaroline on 01/14/09 at 10:16 AM
@ohcaroline - I agree it'll be fun for fans, but that's the sad part - it's for the fans. Unfortunately, and I hope I'm proven wrong, it's unlikely they'll get a lot of entries for people just picking up their first trade or issue, thus not bringing in new readers. Again, I love this book and hope it's around for hundreds of issues, but this just stinks like a last-ditch effort to get readers. I hope that's not the case and we can expect Proof for years to come.
Posted by Dan on 01/14/09 at 10:42 AM
I know this about comic book marketing. Get your base more excited about your book, and that will translate to those people making more of an effort to get others to read it. This book lives on word of mouth, so make sure those voices are strong and happy.
Posted by josh on 01/14/09 at 11:10 AM
If nothing else the contest has a group of people right here talking about the book that they otherwise might not be having this discussion. You like the book you tell a friend, they buy the book and like it then that is all you can do. If that happened with every reader and one friend you double sales....
I do not see this is a "need" or a "stunt" but rather a couple of guys having fun with their book. You get to be a victorian age circus freak :-)
Posted by BrikHed on 01/14/09 at 11:44 AM
Just picked up the first two trades of this book based on the praise from you guys, and can't wait to read them. Also, congrats on having your comments being added to the back cover of the 2nd trade. You've joined the ranks entertainmentweekly.com, comics2film.com, and Rue Morgue (seriously, Rue Morgue?).
Posted by rockleerules on 01/15/09 at 09:40 AM
How incredible is this that the best comic on the market today is looking to reward their fans? What the heck was I thinking sharing this good news... I want to win. :-)
Posted by BrikHed on 01/13/09 at 11:57 AM