Diamond Comic Distributors (with its Comic Shop Locator service) has launched the Halloween ComicFest Website to promote comic store-based Halloween activities. The new Website, at www.halloweencomicfest.com, has a locator for special in-store events; info on Halloween-themed comics, mini-comics, and other Halloween products; and the Greatest Halloween Costume Contest Ever. 

The Greatest Halloween Costume Contest page allows entrants to upload costume photos to the site from October 1 to November 7, and they must name their favorite comic shop to enter. The public then votes on their favorites in various categories for both adults and kids through November 14th. There will be 500 random prize winners, plus the top vote-getters in each category and age group. Winners will be announced on November 20th. Prizes must be picked up at the entrant’s favorite comic store. 

As announced last spring (see “FCBD News: Halloween Event”), this did not end up being a direct copy of Free Comic Book Day. It offers considerably more variability in types of retailer participation, but still gives umbrella promotional support to local events and ties it to comics and comic stores. Over-all, it seems to be a good first effort at a worldwide fall promotion supporting comic stores.