Free Comic Book Day 2010: A Guide

Free Comic Book Day. It’s coming. It’s only a few days away. Are you ready?

Around this time every year since 2002, the comics industry begins talking up FCBD. In fact, many of you that go to your local comic shops week in and week out likely receive your purchases in plastic bags that promote the coming event. FCBD is celebrated at any participating independent comic book specialty shop on the first Saturday in May, which this year happens to be May 1, and it’s an important day for everyone in the industry, including you the reader.

Why? Firstly, it provides opportunity for new readers to dive in. Those that may be unsure about the medium and on the fence about spending money on something they might not like – there’s no excuse. It’s free. Sure, some shops may limit how many free books you can take, but regardless, if you walk in your local shop you’ll be walking out with something. It’s also a great opportunity for you nerds to get your friends into comics. Walking into a comic shop for the first time, even when stuff is free, can be a scary thing for whatever reason. Use this opportunity to show them how awesome comic books are.

On to the comics!

DC Comics

War of the Supermen #0

What was poised to be a major Superman event was turned into a one-month long crossover event, but regardless: it all begins on FCBD!

DC Kids Mega-Sampler

The perfect kind of thing to help kids kick the reading bug into high gear, the Kids Mega-Sampler from DC includes stories from their kid-centric lines like Tiny Titans, Batman: Brave and the Bold, Billy Batson & The Magic of Shazam! and Super Friends.

Dark Horse Comics

Doctor Solar/Magnus

Valiant Comics is back on FCBD it seems, as Jim Shooter returns to the characters he revamped from Gold Key Comics back in the day. These are brand new stories, so you Valiant fans: set your alarm on Saturday. This will go fast amongst the nerds.

Image Comics

Fractured Fables Preview

Image has a new bizarre look at some favorite nursery rhymes and fairy tales coming up in a nifty hardcover collection, but is taking the FCBD opportunity to introduce readers of all ages to the project.

Top Cow

Artifacts: First Look

Artifacts is an enormous 13-issue event series that takes place in amongst the Top Cow universe, factoring in predominant items like the Darkness, the Witchblade, Angelus, and my personal favorite, Magdalena’s Spear of Destiny. Top Cow’s giving us a sneak peek at this huge event, and promises that Artifacts will reveal the rest of the Top Cow Universe’s powerful… well, artifacts.

IDW Publishing

GI Joe: A Real American Hero #155 1/2

Giving us the next issue of a series that was canned about 15 years ago, this is the kind of thing I love for FCBD. A book that we probably would never ever see otherwise. Well played, IDW.

Library of American Comics #0

IDW recently announced its acquiring of some classic comic strips for collection purposes, and they are previewing their goldmine on FCBD. Such classic strip comics as Blondie, Little Orphan Annie, Dick Tracy, and Archie all make appearances here.

Archaia

Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock Flip Book

Mouse Guard. Fraggle Rock. ‘Nuff said.

Drawn & Quarterly

YOW! The John Stanley Library

A bunch of hilarious tales featuring characters from the wonderful John Stanley library, you say? From Drawn & Quarterly, you say? For free, you say? I’ll make that deal.

Oni Press

Oni Press Free-for-All #1

Samples of The Crogan Adventures, Salt Water Taffy and Possessions are all included in this all-ages sampler from Oni Press.

The Sixth Gun #1

Civil War, ancient all-powerful gun, badass gunfighter, and free: all reasons you should pick up The Sixth Gun this Saturday.

Archie Comics

Archie’s Summer Splash #1

It’s Riverdale vs. Pembrooke at a summer beach music festival. What’s not to love?

Sonic the Hedgehog

Archie Comics is bringing everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog back to the forefront on FCBD as he faces off against Dr. Eggman (Robotnick to the old fogies).

BOOM! Studios

Toy Story

BOOM! Kids has been extremely successful with their adaptations of Disney/Pixar properties, and with Toy Story 3 coming this summer, they are jumping aboard that train as well. Bring your kids!

Irredeemable #1

Mark Waid’s hit superhero comic from BOOM! gets a FCBD edition to hook new readers on board. I’ll definitely be picking this up.

Fantagraphics

Weathercraft: A Frank Comic

I’m of the mindset that anything Fantagraphics wants to give away for free should be taken with a smile. You should do the same, don’t question it.

Aspen Comics

Worlds of Aspen

Michael Turner’s Aspen Comics is one of the many publishers taking advantage of FCBD to showcase some of their best comics in this sampler, including excerpts of Soulfire, Mindfield, and Fathom: Blue Descent.

Get a hold of Kevin Smith’s vision of the classic pulp hero Green Hornet with the FCBD edition of the debut issue Green Hornet #1.

NEC Press

The Tick #1

NEC is re-releasing the classic debut issue of Ben Edlund’s The Tick, first published way back in 1986. For Tick fans, this should be reason enough to get out to your shop on Saturday.

Top Shelf Productions

Owly and Friends

A great all-ages sampler from the wonderful Top Shelf featuring names like James Kochalka and Andy Runton.

Ape Entertainment

Shrek & The Penguins of Madagascar

More perfect kid-friendly fun for FCBD, this sampler features four different stories by the creative teams behind the upcoming Shrek comics!

Asylum Press

Fearless Dawn Sampler

Not just a sample of Asylum’s Fearless Dawn, but also of some of their other titles like Warlash: Zombie Mutant Genesis and their horror anthology EEEK!

Radical Publishing

Radical: Bigger Books, Better Value!

Radical takes advantage of FCBD to name drop some talent in their pool like Peter Milligan, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray, all of whom have samples of their Radical Publishing works in this 32 page sampler.

Bluewater Productions

SE Hinton/Lady Gaga/Fame

Yeah. Just what it says.

Red 5 Comics

Atomic Robo and Friends

Atomic Robo has been making waves for a while now at Red 5 Comics, so if you’ve been missing out, this is your chance to see what the hooplah is all about.

Bongo Comics

Bongo Comics Free-for-All

The Simpsons and Futurama are both under the Bongo Comics banner, and what’s not to love with this cover mocking the iconic Amazing Fantasy #15?

Del Rey Comics

Del Rey Showcase

Admittedly I’m unfamiliar with Del Rey’s comic book output, but with names like Stephen King and Dean Koontz this sampler might be worth taking a gander at.

Gemstone Publishing

The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics

The makers of the respected Comics Price Guide bring a different sort of guide: one to help n00bs get into the swing of things on FCBD. Good idea.

Maerkle Press

Love and Capes #13

I’ve never even heard of this. But that’s the point! Finding new things. So, consider this on my list of things to grab.

Storm Lion

Freedom Formula: A Speed Metal Overtures #0

It looks like Freedom Formula will be a huge hit with boys ages 8-10, judging from the badass vehicles, shiny metal objects and high octane action. This might be a good one to put in your little brother’s hands.

Th3rd World Studios

The Stuff of Legend: Mortal Instruments Preview

Another nice little sampler from a publisher I know next to nothing about.

That wraps it up, folks! I can’t say it enough: venture out to Free Comic Book Day at your local shop, and be sure to write us and let us know about your experience, especially if its your first time!