What’s so special about May 3rd, you might be asking yourself? Free Comic Book Day, of course!
Comics. We know ‘em, we love ‘em. And next Saturday you can bet I’ll be at my local comic book store—a little shop called Joy’s Japanimation—sniffing them out.
Depending where you go, and how late in the day you finally venture over to your comic book store of choice, the actual free comics you get might not be that great. I still remember the first time I went. I picked up The Adventures of Paul, Owly: Splashin’ Around, Zed No. 1, Superior Showcase Issue Zero, and Roninhood of the Samurai for free. See? Those don’t even ring a bell.
That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t any good comics up for grabs. There usually are. This year you can expect to find Matt Groening’s The Simpsons and Futurama, Hellboy, Superman, Transformers, X-men … and the list goes on. And that’s not the only reason to go to a store on FCBD, either. Simply, it’s a great excuse to buy some comics. That same year I claimed those not-so-great ones, I also bought Star Wars: Obsession #3, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith #4, and Tomb Raider “Vendetta.”
Free Comic Book Day is also, logically, good for the industry. More than forty publishers will participate in the event this time around in comparison with only four publishers in 2002, the first year. Flying Colors Comics, owned by Joe Field, is just one shop of about 2,000 worldwide that will be participating in FCBD, an event expecting to give away 2.1 million comics this Saturday. Field is the creator of FCBD—which automatically makes him one awesome guy in my book.
“I thought having a day that would draw new people into our stores would provide a real boost,” he said. “I met with some of the largest publishers and distributors. We initially wanted to do it in April, but then decided to wait until May to coincide with the opening of the original Spider-Man movie.”
Field is quick to add that the original Free Comic Book Day wasn’t meant to be a movie promotion, but the buzz for a pop-culture movie based on a comic book character couldn’t help but draw more attention to his event.
… “In the comics business, we are considered an elite, high-volume store,” said Field, adding he carries about 10,000 current and 30,000 discontinued books at Flying Colors. “Since we opened our doors, it’s fair to say, we have sold millions of books.”
FCBD breaks the still-firm stereotype that all comic book readers are either eleven-year-old boys or awkward nerds in their forties; showing up at a store says a lot to the world, even if you just end up snagging some free comics.
People of all ages enjoy comic books, but the average age is twenty-eight. It really bugs me that the majority of the time, when I make a reference to a comic book, I get the same reaction. Comic books aren’t just for kids anymore.
Yay, stereotypes!
Seriously, if the people who still think that would glance in a graphic novel today, they’d quickly figure out why. It’s not a bad thing, comics are just, well …
Pandolfo said adults who read comic books are often trying to reconnect with the literary heroes they worshipped during the simpler days of childhood. But others are attracted to more-recent work injected with a dose of realism.
“The stories have grown up, too, because you now have comic-book characters who have real everyday problems,” he said. “The store is wonderful because it brings together people who share a love of this literature. People who outside the store would probably never speak to each other become friends here.”
I’m excited for May 3rd. If you’ve never been to a comic book store on Free Comic Book Day, head on over to one this year. There’s a store locator on the FCBD website that will show you stores near you and which are participating (though I suggest checking out each store’s website to verify whether they are or not).
And don’t forget, Iron Man comes out the day before. Just four more days! Maybe you can celebrate by buying an Iron Man comic. 
(Article here)
April 29th, 2008 at 6:00 am
This is such a great event!
I know that VirtualGirl cos-played as Wonder Woman during a previous Free Comic Book Day
This event is such a great idea!
What a weekend it could be with Iron Man on Friday and then this event on Saturday!
April 29th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Well this is interesting. I’m not into comics at the moment, but I was actually browsing some on the web to figure out what I’d be interested in (criminal macabre is what I decided on).
Unfortunately, I have to work until 5 on Saturday, however, the Comic book store is right by my work, so I might be able to sneak over. hmm.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I’m gonna miss out on my free comic book, unfortunately.
However, I do have a free movie pass to iron Man tonight. That’ll have to do.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Mandy, I’m pretty sure most comic book stores make FCBD a 24-hour event.
TheDCD: That’s friggin’ awesome (about Iron Man, not about missing FCBD, that sucks)! Is that for the advanced screening? How’d you get a free pass? I want a free pass …
April 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Hehe, I have an extra, but not sure if you’re in CO.
It’s a promo giveaway, they do ‘em all the time. Check with local newspapers and you’ll see ‘em doing it.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Nope, PA. Damn.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Yeah, I have to go to this new store I found to get these for this year.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Yay FCBD! As the day grows more known and more popular, it’s becoming common to have costumers swing by their favourite store in costume, too. My hometown is making a fun deal out of it, actually having the 501st (the nation-wide troupe of Star Wars costumers) swing by with a full-sized Jabba. Should be fun!
Also, I’m so excited for Iron Man!
April 30th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I love FCBD! I just finished my Elektra costume in time for the event. A bunch of us hang outside our local comic shop and try to get people in to the store. Last year when I was dressed as Wonder Woman we ended up on the news…LOL
April 30th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hm.. Cincinnati is kind of ghetto, so I doubt they do any street walking. LOL. Maybe!