Free Comic Book Day 2013: Tips & Recommended Reading
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| May the 4th be with you this Free Comic Book Day (picture of Graham Crackers Comics in Edgewater during last year's FCBD) |
It only comes but once a year, so be sure to set aside an hour or two today to enjoy Free Comic Book Day. It may be difficult to pry yourself away from the premiere of Iron Man 3 or Star Wars: May the 4th Be With You events; I can assure you, it is well worth doing. You would think free comics would be an easy sell but each year I meet fans that either don't know about the annual event or have never made the time to check it out. Here's a quick guide to how to get the most out of your FCBD experience.
Where do I go to obtain these "free comics"?
A good place to start! Most, but not all comic shops participate. The quickest way to find out if your store will have free comics is the FCBD store locator. Just enter your zip code and they will find the shops for you! Keep in mind that these comics are free for you, but not for the participating retailers. If you go to one store or many, try to throw some business their way while you're stopping by.
Who should I go with?
Your die hard fans will be easily convinced to join you on your trip, but one thing to keep in mind is that this event is specifically designed to engage new readers, specifically young ones. Bring your children, nieces and nephews, and those friends that keep borrowing your comics but haven't actually started buying their own yet. Every last one of them is new reader friendly as well, so whether you're looking to discover new comics to read or want to get a friend or family member hooked on comics, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
What comics should I pick up?
Since there are so many FCBD releases, it can be hard to grab all of the comics that you want. Many stores limit each person to three comics each, so be choosey. Better yet, plan to visit a few shops to ensure you can grab all of the books you seek. Comics released by the larger companies like Marvel and DC will be abundant at each location and likely the last to run out. Be sure to grab the oddball stuff first, comics from the independent publishers, and comics with the original content. Ask the store employees for suggestions based on your current reading or what you like to watch. The cartoon tie-in comics will be the most tempting to children, but be sure to pick up something from Archaia or Top Shelf for them as well.
Recommended Reading
Here are the books we will be seeking on our FCBD outing, and we recommend you grab them if you can. Follow the link for more info and short previews as well!
And a few that are not all ages friendly: