For roughly twenty years, participating local comic shops have offered free books to everyone who comes into their stores at least one or two days each year. After some covid concerns caused cancellations and postponements, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) has finally returned to the first Saturday in May. This year, it is May 7th.
According to freecomicbookday.com, the annual celebration first began in 2002 as a fantastic way to introduce new readers to comics. Since then, millions of comics have been given away for free every year. While most stores offer limits on how many free books someone can take, everyone should be able to walk away with at least one from the FCBD section.
Comic book culture has been dominating cinemas and television. Over the past few years, it has managed to work its way into nearly every facet of our daily lives, turning “nerd culture” into pop culture right before our eyes. Accurately reflecting a variety of heroes, villains, and interesting subject matter, there is truly something for everyone. From Donald Duck or the Three Stooges all the way to Stranger Things or Doctor Who, there are 46 different titles available this year.
While most comic book shops jump at the opportunity to reach new audiences, it’s important to note that individual stores still pay for the books, so not all of them participate. We recommend checking the Comic Shop Locator and verifying that the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY logo is next to their name before making any long trips in search of your favorite free titles.
This year’s releases include:
25 YEARS OF BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SPECIAL
BEST ARCHIE COMIC EVER #0
BONE ORCHARD MYTHOS PRELUDE (MR)
DAV PILKEY SAMPLER FEATURING DOG MAN
DOCTOR WHO #1
KAIJU NO 8 & SAKAMOTO DAYS
PRIMOS #1 (OF 4)
SPIDER-MAN VENOM #1
STRANGER THINGS RESIDENT ALIEN
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
WANDANCE & BLACKGUARD SAMPLER
10 TON PRESS PRESENTS 10 TON TALES
AVATAR LAST AIRBENDER LEGEND OF KORRA
AVENGERS X-MEN #1
BARBARIC #1
BEST OF 2000 AD ISSUE ZERO
BLOODBORNE #1
BUNNY MASK TALES
CARRIERS-BEORN-DRAGON WHISPERER
CLEMENTINE #1
DISNEY MASTERS DONALD DUCK & CO SPECIAL
ELECTRIC BLACK CHILDREN OF CAINE #0
ENEMIES BY SVETLANA CHMAKOVA
EQUILIBRIUM
FUZZY BASEBALL TRIPLE PLAY
HOLLOW #1 SPECIAL
INCAL UNIVERSE
IT WONT ALWAYS BE LIKE THIS SAMPLER
JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS
KULT CABLE #1 FEAT JACK BLACK
MARVELS VOICES #1
MAX MEOW CAT ON STREET COMICS SPECTACULAR
NEVERLANDERS PREVIEW
NOTTINGHAM SPECIAL
OVERSTREET GUIDE TO COLLECTING
OKEMON JOURNEYS POKEMON ADVENTURES XY
REALM OF BLUE MIST REMA CHRONICLES
RED SONJA MARVEL FEATURE STORIES
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
STREET FIGHTER MASTERS BLANKA #1
TEX IN LAND OF THE SEMINOLES
THE GUARDIAN OF FUKUSHIMA
THREE STOOGES CELEBRATION #1
TRESE
WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE HUNDRED YEAR CURSE
YEAR OF VALIANT
As you can see, there are many great options to choose from. Please make your way down to your local comic shop on Saturday and grab a free comic for yourself or someone else who will benefit from reading something fun.
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