Free Comic Book Day Events Coast To Coast

The first Saturday in May each year is Free Comic Book Day.  Last weekend our Comic Booked correspondents were out in force to celebrate this joyous occasion.  We thought it would be fun to give you peeks at a few FCBD events around the country.

Robb Orr (that’s me) was out and about visiting the plethora of shops in Seattle.  The first stop was Golden-Age Collectables, America’s oldest comic shop, located in the historic Pike Place Market.  After collecting my books I stood in line, feeling a bit ridiculous and towering over the other children, to get my picture taken with Spider-Man.  My next stop was my home-shop Zanadu.  I grabbed some books, commented on a store employee who had recently cut off his Gandalf hair and beard, and bought a copy of The Mice Templar for my next stop.

 Hopping a bus, I disembarked in the University District and enjoyed the sunshine during my walk to Comics Dungeon.  I was met by Storm-Troopers and the FCBD event of the day.  Inside Michael Oeming (HUGE fan) and Taki Soma were doing signings.  I chatted with a happy and super-nice (as always) Mr. Oeming and congratulated him about having casting open for the new Powers series on FX.  I got my Mice Templar issue autographed, snapped a picture or two, and made plans for a future interview.  On my way to the free comic racks I spied an awesome sale on bundled comic runs and picked up a bunch of Hellboy, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Jack Cross by Warren Ellis runs.  Mr. Oeming is actually working on a book with Mr. Ellis called Half Moon, and as you might imagine, I am just ecstatic about this.  Then I was off with my friends to hit a few other shops, eat $40 vegan pizza, and attend the Mogwai show later that evening.  I didn’t know it was possible to pack that much goodness into one day.  Thank you FCBD. 

Meanwhile in the City of Angels, Nicole Sixx and Cousin Matt were hitting up a riotous FCBD event at Comic Bug.  They too were met by Star Wars cosplayers, but the sweetest part waited for them inside the shop.  A table overflowing with free comic goodness was eclipsed by the presence of Dark Horse’s own Mike Mignola and Tyler Crook doing sketches and signings!  Tyler Crook will be taking over for Guy Davis on the B.P.R.D. title, so welcome him and pick up B.P.R.D. (as if you aren’t already). New allegiances were made, and Nicole scored an uber sweet sketch of herself by Mr. Mignola.  Look for an article detailing another Mignola-related event from her soon here at Comic Booked!  Their FCBD event looked epic; and that sketch, so very cool.

Over on the east coast in Virginia Beach, Kit Solomon was getting a different perspective on Free Comic Book Day.  Kit owns a killer comic shop called Kaboom Kollectibles.  Not only can you get your comics, Magic cards, and many other geeky goodies at Kaboom, you can also get food, drinks and enjoy your purchases right in the newly-renovated shop!  This is a comic shop how they used to be (and still should be in my opinion).  Kaboom is building a community where people can hang out, enjoy libations, read comics and play Magic the Gathering.  Very nice people and an amazing shop, Kit had this to say about FCBD:

“We had a good turnout.  Attendance this year was up from last year, with a much higher percentage of new people. We gave out over 40 lollipops to kids that came, and had some balloon games for them as well.  I spoke with several parents that were interested in books for their kids.  I had at least 3 people mention the Walking Dead series as something that got them into comics, so that was cool.”

Further north up the east coast, CGC Lee was hitting up comic shops in Philly.  He went to a shop called Fat Jack’s Comicrypt and his exploits can be found in a pair of Comic Booked articles entitled “Free Comic Book Day Wasn’t So Free” (Parts one and two).  Check them out.  CGC Lee has the same problem most of us do; entering a comic shop and being unable to resist the siren’s song of things we absolutely must purchase. 

So there is a look at some FCBD events in the four corners of our great nation.  I will add more as they come in.  Until then, a big thank you to all the Comic Booked people who contributed to this article and all of the publishers and shops that participated in this awesome annual event.  Support the shops and artists that participate in these amazing events!  Feel free to leave a comment and tell us about FCBD events in YOUR area and look for Bullet Reviews of FCBD titles here soon.  Thank you for reading and sharing!

Tags: BPRD, CGC Lee, Comic Bug, Comic's Dungeon, Dark Horse, FCBD, Free Comic Book Day, Michael Oeming, Mike Mignola, Nicole Sixx, Powers, Robb Orr, The Mice Templar, Tyler Cook

About the Author

Written by Robb Orr

Robb Orr is a comic bibliophile and game aficionado from the “Emerald City” of Seattle, WA. He hopes to win enough favor to gain pet status after the upcoming and inevitable monkey apocalypse comes to fruition.

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