IDW Publishing and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) have teamed up to host the Star Trek “Be A Redshirt” contest. In my opinion, this is one of the best contests currently going on the internet – the chance to support your local comic book shop AND appear as a Red Shirt in an upcoming Star Trek comic book.
Don’t know what a Red Shirt is? (Well, first of all, shame on you! Go watch Netflix until you’re caught up.) Then check out this video:
From Star Trek’s website: “As redshirts are famous for always catching the phaser in Star Trek episodes, and as comic fans can be so loyal in defending their local retailer, it’s the perfect contest,” said Dirk Wood, IDW’s Director of Retailer Marketing. “And, partnering with the CBLDF is perfect because no one knows more about defending retailers than they do.”
Starting on Wednesday, fans can enter the contest by writing an explanation of 300 words or less about what makes their comic-book retailer the best in the business, and then emailing that explanation to contest@IDWPublishing.comwith the subject: Save My Retailer. As noted, the winning fan and his or her retailer will be depicted on a limited-edition variant cover of Star Trek, IDW’s recently launched series set in the Star Trek (2009) universe, with the new crew featured in alternate-timeline versions of classic TOS storylines. The Redshirt cover will be limited to just 300 copies, with 100 each provided to the winner and his or her retailer, as well as 100 to the CBLDF in order to assist them in carrying on their important and challenging efforts to defend retailers everywhere. Finally, the winning fan will also receive the original cover art, which will be rendered by the Sharp Brothers.”
And who wouldn’t want to appear as a Red Shirt in a Star Trek comic? You could get phasered or eaten by a giant alien – anything can happen to a Red Shirt! What are you waiting for?