Today, USA TODAY broke the exciting news about writer J. Michael Straczynski’s epic “Grounded” storyline running in SUPERMAN, and we’ve got more details about how you, the fans, can participate in the Man of Steel’s trek across the United States.
Starting in July 2010, coinciding with the 700th issue of Superman, DC Comics will be celebrating this remarkable anniversary of America’s greatest hero with a historic journey…not to alien worlds or distant galaxies, but through the streets, roads, highways, homes, farms, suburbs, and inner cities of America.
And America itself, in the person of those very real places, is invited to the party.
Beginning with the city of Philadelphia, Superman will walk across America, a journey that is expected to take most of a year. He will pass through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington. Along the way, Superman will be passing through real towns, real cities, real neighborhoods.
And your town, your city, your neighborhood may be among those chosen for his historic journey. Superman will literally pass through your town as visualized in the pages of his book.
If your town is within 50 miles of the line marking Superman’s journey, then you are eligible to participate.
If your town is chosen, then it will become part of an issue of the Superman comic. For over fifty years, Superman has been America’s greatest hero, and now he is returning to those roots. The series of issues will examine how Superman sees America, and how America sees Superman. And for those towns selected, it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of his historic journey.
Thanks, Joe! There you have it, folks. The power is in your hands. Do you have what it takes to get Superman to visit your town? In addition to an essay describing why Superman should visit, we highly recommend the inclusion of photos, information about how active a comic book and literary community your town has, and any other materials that would convince us that your town is an ideal place for Superman to visit and experience. Click below for the rules and legal requirements. And, most importantly, good luck!
SUPERMAN 'GROUNDED' CONTEST RULES
1. HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. To enter, send a 75-1,000 word essay describing why the SUPERMAN character should visit your home town during the "Grounded" storyline by email to dc_publicity@dccomics.com or by regular mail to:
Alex Segura
c/o THE SOURCE blog
DC COMICS
1700 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
Entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM EST, July 12, 2010. Though not required, you are encouraged to include photos from your home town and evidence that your home town has a thriving comic book/library/literary community. Contestants must use their own names and provide a valid email address or mailing address. For email submissions, the Contestant will be deemed to be the holder of the established email account associated with the entry. DC Comics assumes no responsibility for entries unable to be processed for any technical reason, and DC Comics reserves the right to cancel the contest if it becomes technically corrupted or for any other reason beyond DC Comics’ control. Use of all personal data submitted by Contestants will be subject to DC Comics’ privacy policy available at http://dccomics.com/about/?action=privacy .
2. ELIGIBILITY: Contest open to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years old as of July 1, 2010, and live within 50 miles of one of the cities listed below. Further, Contestants must reside in the home town described in their entries. Employees of DC Comics, its affiliates, parent companies and subsidiary companies, and their immediate families (parents and children) are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
CHICAGO
DES MOINES
OMAHA
DENVER
SALT LAKE CITY
LAS VEGAS
LOS ANGELES
PORTLAND
SEATTLE
3. PRIZES: Winners will have their home towns included as destinations for the SUPERMAN character in the pages of the ongoing SUPERMAN series during the 12-issue "Grounded" storyline and will receive a copy of the issue including their home town autographed by the writer and artist of the issue (approximate retail value $2.99 per prize; approximate retail value of all prizes $26.91). Applicable taxes are the responsibility of the Contestant.
4. WINNERS: Nine winners will be selected from all eligible entries based on originality, creativity and such other criteria as the judges determine appropriate in their sole discretion. Decisions of judges are final. Each winner will be announced online on THE SOURCE after the close of the submission period and in advance of the publication of the issue of SUPERMAN in which that winner’s home town will be included. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. For a complete list of winners write to DC Comics, SUPERMAN 'GROUNDED' CONTEST, 1700 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.
5. OWNERSHIP: All submissions will become the property of DC Comics and will not be returned. By submitting an entry, Contestant: (a) represents and warrants that Contestant's entry will be original with Contestant and will not violate or infringe upon the rights of any person or entity; (b) grants to DC Comics the right to reproduce the entry online and in print materials, including, but not limited to, on DC’s THE SOURCE blog and the DC NATION page of its comic books for any and all commercial purposes in perpetuity, and (c) agrees and hereby releases DC Comics and its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, employees, agents, officers and directors from any and all liability or responsibility arising in connection with Contestant's participation in the contest and acceptance of any prizes which may be awarded.
