Free Comic Book Day attracted countless long-time comic fans, cosplayers, and new readers alike last Saturday. The Girls Entertainment Network’s comics team was there, and now you can find out all the details! Share your FCBD 2009 experiences with us!
WITA
Free Comic Book Day always promises fun events, guest signings, a batch of free comics, and great sales across the nation. I hopped over to my local shop—Joy’s Japanimation, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania—before I went to see X-men Origins: Wolverine (my review here), and I left with some cool stuff.
With Batman Begins playing in the background and complimentary Watchmen cookies lying about that the shop owners had decorated the night before, I took a look at the free comics stand to pick out my six books: Avengers, Resurrection #0, Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer Preview, Love & Rockets Sampler, Mercy Sparx: Under New Management, and Worlds of Aspen #4. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed all of them except for Love & Rockets. You can read my wrap-up of those books over at my blog. Before I headed out, I rooted through the back ends and picked up several old issues of BATMAN and X-MEN at 50% off. Definitely a great day to be a comic book fan!
WITA's free comics and old BATMAN and X-MEN finds
VirtualGirl
Free Comic Book Day is one of the events that I anticipate every year. Unfortunately, I was recovering from being sick all week and wasn’t able to stick around my local comic shop for long. The shop I frequent - The Source Comics and Games - is amazing. I can honestly call it one of the best in the nation without being bias, as it received an award for top pick in the U.S a few years back.
I spent most of FCBD hanging with my friends and fellow cosplayers that form Superheroes United - our local group name. We all coordinated costumes together before the event so that the full gambit of superheroes was represented. I decided to wear my Poison Ivy costume as I hadn’t had a chance to do so more than once in the past. Kannaya also attended, wearing a Green Lantern costume for the crowd.
Kannaya as Green Lantern on FCBD 2009
While at The Source most of us wondered around greeting guests and taking photos. We also spent a great deal of time out on the busy intersection next to the store holding signs and waving to passing cars. I can’t believe we didn’t get in trouble for the amount of traffic stopping to take photos at green lights.
As for comics, I snagged a bag of books right away when I got in. Our bags are blind so you never know what you are going to get, but each of us received 12 or so books. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the Aspen or Top Cow titles, so I had to bat my eyelashes a bit to get them from a secret stash behind the counter. I still haven’t had the chance to read them yet and need to do so! The Source also had some great sales going on so I took the chance to buy some new graphic novels. All and all the day was a success!
You can see more photos of the event and its costumed participants here. http://www.meaganvanburkleo.com/?p=867
VirtualGirl as Poison Ivy at her LCS, The Source Comics and Games
Jill aka TheNerdyBird
I was really looking forward to Free Comic Book Day this year. Not that I was planning anything extraordinary mind you, it’s just a great day to be a comic nerd! Unfortunately my cat got sick the night before and I had to take care of him for most of the day Saturday so I didn’t manage to get out of the house until much later than I had planned. If I couldn’t hit up multiple stores I was at least going to my local comic shop, which, by the way, has the best name ever - Little Shop of Comics in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
FCBD '09 at Jill's LCS, Little Shop of Comics
Shop owners and all-around awesome people, Steve and Lena Olsen, were very happy with the turnout this year. Steve said there was a line waiting for him when he arrived in the morning. He also put together a great pamphlet to help parents choose appropriate comics for their youngsters, not just on FCBD but all year round. They even have a section of their store dedicated to kids comics, which is a fantastic idea.
One of Jill's favorite FCBD comics, "DC Kids Mega Sampler"
Speaking of kids, one of the free comics I picked up was the “DC Kids Mega Sampler.” It features “Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” and my personal favorite, “Tiny Titans” – all great reads. I also picked up “CyberForce/Hunter:Killer,” “Love & Rockets” and “William Shatner Presents,” none of which I’ve had the chance to read yet. Of course the highlight for me (and something I read immediately) was DC’s “Blackest Night #0.” We finally got to see the Black Lantern Oath and get a glimpse of the dead that will rise on July 15th. More excited, I could not be.
Melissa Kay
Madness Games and Comics is home to a plethora of delectable toys, action figures, games, t-shirts, and an impressive back issue collection. Being one of the few comic shops in Dallas that I frequent, it was only natural I decided to make this my primary stop for Free Comic Book Day “madness.”
Melissa's LCS, Madness Games and Comics
Madness celebrated the occasion with the usual assortment of free comic books, along with a couple of guest artists and writers signing and displaying their work. They also hosted a gigantic sale that boasted “Buy 2 get 1 free!” on any and every item in the store. You could stock up on two trades, for example, and throw in an action figure of your choice for free. People of all ages greeted customers at the door, and a feeling of fun, relaxation, and excitement permeated the atmosphere. Open until Midnight on Saturdays, Madness is located in the heart of Plano and offers a comfortable, enjoyable environment to shop in.
Melissa with her FCBD comics
Amber Love
FCBD is our second largest event at Comic Fusion in Flemington, NJ. Owners Stacy Korn and Bill Meccia transform the beloved comic den into a welcoming new environment for regulars and many locals who have never come inside before. The weather reports were grim all week long. We didn’t have much hope that we could save the day in our fair-weather town. I drove in before the shop officially opened and cringed every time I had to put the wipers on. The coffee and donuts were ready when I arrived. At 11 a.m., Stacy unlocked the front door and the rain stopped. Our celebration with costumers and artists was scheduled noon-5 p.m. however the shop’s 11-7 hours were still accurate for anyone wanting to come in. Lo and behold! Right around 12:00, the clouds broke up and the day was pure spring beauty. This divine intervention by Thor helped not only us, but the entire town which having a storefront decorating contest and many church events.
FCBD sketch of Harley Quinn
We were joined by three fantastic artists: Erica Hesse, Rob Kramer and Scott Barnett who were doing free and $5 sketches depending on size. All of them had lines of eager fans the entire day. Shop slave/bouncer Dave Baraldi handed out Flash rings to all the kids (Thanks, DC!) and helped the parents choose the right books for their young readers. Outside, the town was entertained (or was that harassed?) by costumers Gary DeNoia as Cyclops, Evan Rice as Spider-Man and myself as Rogue. Part of the day we were joined by The Great Lodge Cafe’s Moose who was seen taking a break to read the FCBD Wolverine issue.
We had the books separated into adult, teen and kids depending on the appearance of violent imagery or bodacious babe showing too much cleavage. Judging solely on what I could see in people’s hands as they left the shop, it seems that DC’s Green Lantern story Blackest Night was the most popular choice among the adults. Wolverine and Archie comics rounded out the top three.
FCBD '09 at Beth's LCS, Comic Fusion
The Comic Fusion crew will take a brief moment to recuperate then begin preparations for their biggest event, Superhero Weekend Featuring Wonder Woman Day (WWD for short) which will take place Oct 24-25. The WWD event is a nationwide fundraiser for domestic violence charities. Stay tuned for more information.
May 8th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Looks like everyone had fun! I had a wedding reception and had to work, so I couldn’t attend mine, but my co-worker said it was pretty weak anyway.
May 8th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Wait, … I didn’t have a wedding reception.. I went to one.
May 8th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Meagan, I’m not sure how I missed it, but I’m so adding your RSS to my FriendFeed. I love your pictures! I need to figure out to incorporate the Wordpress themes because their stock ones aren’t very impressive and I’d love to move my site over to it. /tangeant
May 8th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
You got married Mandy?! Congratulations!
May 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
You were there, William. Jeez, I can’t believe you don’t remember. You looked drunk, but not THAT drunk.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Awwww I wanted to do FCBD while I was in Hawaii but they only do it at the public library with a valid library card and only for TEENS and KIDS!!
Why don’t Hawaiians like comics?!
May 9th, 2009 at 4:06 am
Wait, what do you mean I was “there”? Is that why I had that cheap, plastic ring on my finger the next day?
Also, back on topic, I like how those comic books are almost as big as Melissa.
May 9th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Such a fun day! Neither Meg nor I got the Top Cow comic. Oh well, there were good ones this year.
May 9th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Billy - I got my comic book sized Melissa in the mail yesterday.. you didn’t get yours yet?
May 9th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
I’d just like to take a moment to say how absolutely fabulous Meg and Amber look in their costumes.
May 10th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Aw, thanks, Jill!
May 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
The fact the Little Shop of Comics made the kid-appropriate section and pamphlets for parents is something that should be commended. If I lived in NJ, I’d give them my business. Too many shops forget that kids like comics.
I’d like to echo Jill’s sentiment about the costumes. Amber’s Rogue kicks butt.
Nice columns by everyone.