What is Free Comic Book Day?

FREE COMIC BOOK is an annual event held the first Saturday in May by the comic book industry that promotes people to visit local brick and mortar comic book shops and check out a sampling of the things publishers are sending to print.  Visitors to participating comic book stores are provided the opportunity to pickup a few FREE comic books from a designated selection.  The FREE books vary from full scale individual stories just like a comic book you'd buy at the store to compilations filled with a selection of short previews or samples of a publisher's artists and titles.  This year FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is on Saturday, May 3rd. 

The FREE comic books are available while supplies last at each participating locations.  Often times they are gone by early in the afternoon so if you are planning on going I'd recommend swinging by to pick up your free comics in the morning as the shop is opening.

Here are a few items to look out for if you decide to check out this year's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY looks to be the next summer blockbuster at the movie theaters from Marvel Comics.  Writer Brian Bendis and acclaimed artist Nick Bradshaw provide an all-new story for readers that will help you get ready for the upcoming movie.  The book also contains a preview of an upcoming Spider-Man storyline that will be taking place later in 2014.

What if Star Wars was portrayed in Steam Punk?  Check out this interpretation of one of my favorite sci-fi franchises taking place in an evil Victorian era empire in a galaxy not so far away.

Archaia does one of the nicest jobs of any publisher in providing a great product for this event.  Pick up a copy of their hardcover bound book that features short stories from some of their magnificent series like Mouse Guard and Rust.

I loved the animated series when it was on TV, the live action one not so much, so pick up a comic book filled with all new stories.

V-WARS has been picked up for a television series pilot.  Check it out now as this could be the next Walking Dead type show to hit television.

There will be 52 comic books to select from this year on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.  What is nice is that they have offerings that will appeal to all age ranges from early readers to mature adults.  To find a location near you CLICK HERE.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS GREAT FOR PRESCHOOLERS & EARLY READERS

I've been taking my children to FREE COMIC BOOK DAY for the last several years although they've been too young to read themselves.  This event on the first Saturday of May is when publishers team up with comic book shops to promote their industry to consumers by offering free samples to anyone who visits participating stores that day (well that is while supplies last because most stores normally run out of stock by mid-afternoon).  My kids flip through the pages enjoying the artwork and have me read the stories to them for weeks following our FREE COMIC BOOK DAY visit.  Sharing comic books with my kids through this annual event has been a fun day of bonding with my son and daughter while promoting creativity, imagination, and reading with my children.

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY had done a nice job of making sure the event provides a selection of comics targeted to preschoolers and early readers that parent can feel comfortable giving to their children.  This year's event is on Saturday, May 3, 2014 and will be featuring ten titles suitable for young readers including:

Published by PERFECT SQUARE this comic features all new adventures featuring Hello Kitty and her friends.  It will also feature a sneak peek of an upcoming tribute book celebrating Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary.

In FANTAGRAPHIC BOOKS "A Matter of some Gravity" saucy sorceress Magica De Spell turns Scrooge's life sideways-literally! when she distorts the forces of gravity.

PAPERCUTZ brings the Smurfs to Free Comic Book Day.  This comic features never-before-seen stories from Peyo starring everyone's favorite blue bombshell: the Smurfette! It's Smurftastically FREE!

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS is bringing Sonic the Hedgehog & Mega Man to the party.  It is providing TWO free comic books in ONE.  It will showcase storylines from both characters' universes in a flipsided combined issue.

BOOM ENTERTAINMENT will feature samples from all their popular children's series including Peanut & Garfield.

Two years ago ARCHAIA published an incredible hard cover Free Comic Book Day edition featuring its popular MOUSE GUARD series.  ARCHAIA continues to be one of the leading supporters of this event by publishing another great hard cover comic book this year!

CAPSTONE is celebrating its award winning series JELLABY.  This comic book about ten year old Portia and her beloved purple monster Jellaby will feature two short stories, including the exclusive, never-before-in-print adventure "The Knot."  

DC COMICS will also be providing a TEEN TITANS issue for Free Comic Book Day.

To find a participating comic book retailer near you, CLICK HERE.  Don't miss out on Free Comic Book Day!