FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, SAT 5/7 - 2016
It's gonna be May! Well, it is May. Get over it. Get over yourself with the cold weather, the endless April showers turning into grey Uber commutes and start to leave the house with purpose for the first time since Star Wars: A Force Awakens.
We here at DO617 strive to get you going! Consider us the web equivalent of slamming a Red Bull during finals. This Saturday May 7, sleep in a bit but go out and get some free stuff!
That's right, the first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day. What does that mean? Easy. It means free comics for you, your kids, your Mom (we'll get to her later) and an excuse to dust off that Halloween Superman costume already smelling like moth balls.
Here's what you need to know!
WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO DO IT —
LCS:
LCS is short for Local Comic book Store. Don't know where the closest participating comic book store is in your neighborhood? That's ridiculous! Aren't you there every Wednesday to pick up your limited Klingon edition of the latest Star Trek rag when the doors open? Oh, that's just me.
Here is where you can find your closest comic book retailer, enter your address into the robot and find your LCS. (see how easily you are learning)?
freecomicbookday.com/storelocator
COSPLAY:
Lots of stores, like New England Comics for instance, will have superheroes dressed up to greet you when you come in! Don't worry, that person doesn't have Kryptonian strength, you can shake his or her hand. These COSPLAYERS mean you no harm. Please ASK them if it is OK to take a picture, hold their sword or touch their hair. Cosplay does NOT mean consent!
claynfernoCONTINUTITY:
Can Wolverine beat up The Hulk? How did The Flash get his super-speed? Are Bruce Wayne's parents still alive? What's __________'s mother's name? The answers are all in the funny books, and CONTINUITY is the ongoing story of comics legends, some legends being over 75 years old.
Don't feel bad if you don't know your Azrael from your Elastic Man, that's part of the fun. Your retailer is there to help you answer questions or point out comics that will fill in your story. Dark Knight Rises wasn't the first time Batman's back was broken. Get into the source material if you liked those movies (you did, remember)?
FREE COMIC BOOKS:
This one is self explanatory, but check with your local store about the 'rules' set up for each visit.
Not all of the books in the store are free, just the ones made for Free Comic Book Day ads there may be a 'per person' limit. Remember, sharing is caring!
Some more generous stores let you take from their stock of back issues too but don't walk out of there with something you found bolted to the wall, that's stealing!
If at all possible, hit up more than one store, and end the day with the maximum amount of free stuff. Retailers are more generous with discounts and giveaways this day too. Make the most of it but try to buy at least a little something! The comic stores pay for what they are giving you. This is their biggest day of the year!
SIGNINGS:
Some famous comic book people, and not so famous but hard working local comic professionals may be at your store signing a copy of their book or books!
• Wolverine and Ghost Rider artist Mark Texiera at New England Comics Brockton
JEFF MCLELLAND, writer for THE TICK FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is at New England Comics Norwood
claynferno• Frank Tieri (Harley Quinn, Punisher in Space) signs at New England Comics Brookline with our very own Matt Dursin debuting issue #3 of Robin Hood: Outlaw of the 21st Century. Here is the Facebook Event.
FREE COMICS:
From Archie to Z2, nearly every comic book publisher worth the newsprint has a book to offer.
Here is a list of comics on the Free Comic Book Day site as well as some of our favorites for this year.
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT - BOB'S BURGERS FCBD 2016 EDITION
DC COMICS - SUICIDE SQUAD #1 FCBD SPECIAL EDITION
DC COMICS - DC SUPER HERO GIRLS #1 FCBD 2016 SPECIAL EDITION
IDW PUBLISHING - ROM: SPACE KNIGHT #0 FCBD 2016 EDITION
NEW ENGLAND COMICS - THE TICK SPECIAL FCBD 2016 EDITION
MARVEL - CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 FCBD 2016 EDITION
SHARING IS CARING:
Make sure to use #FCBD2016, #FCBD, or #Freecomicbookday so we can get Free Comic Book Day trending! Also tag @do617 and we'll see it of course! We'll reward one winner with a $25 gift certificate to New England Comics for a FREE COMIC BOOK DAY photo tagged @DO617 + #FCBD2016. Enter for a chance to win! We just told you how!
Here's some suggestions, including but not limited to FCBD Selfies, standing in line to get the comics, photos of your LCS, photos of the free comics you picked up, photos with costumed characters and cosplayers, photos with comic creators and artists and whatever else you see!
Alex RossSPOILERS!
Most of you haven't seen Captain America: Civil War yet, but maybe your friend doesn't know that someone dies in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. When in doubt: "ZIP IT"!
Don't spoil movies in the comic book store because you are being a cool kid with your friend. Ask politely if the person has seen said movie/episode of Spongebob/read the latest issue of Saga before opening your big mouth.
Unless of course you are talking about Batman v Superman. No one cares about that one.
FANTASTIC MR.FOX RULES (divide that by nine, please)!
When around kids (your own, stranger's kids, family, at the park) we enforce the No Cussin' rule.
Keep the potty mouth for drinking PBRs later in the evening. For fun, invoke the "Cuss" substitution. "What the Cuss?" "Quit Cussin' hitting me!" and "Where are your cussin' Deadpool comics?" are more appropriate and fun ways to communicate on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.
"HOLY CUSS! IT'S MOTHER'S DAY TOMORROW"!
That's a realization you may have when you are in the store looking at a $399.99 Batgirl statue. Don't forget about Mom. DC Comics sent us a friendly reminder to keep Mom in mind. This year I'll be looking for something special for my sister as well, Mother's Day isn't just for YOUR Mom. It is for ALL MOMS. Maybe you can make your last minute purchase here at the LCS!
See, you aren't selfish! You've bought one of these thoughtful gifts. And if you don't, at least call your mother. Do it, she loves you and you'll thank me later.
Here's some suggested Mother's Day gifts from DC Comics.
Ant Lucia (DC COMICS)
BLACK CANARY VOL. 1: KICKING AND SCREAMING - If Mom is a fan of Arrow, or gorgeous and empowered punk rock singers touring the county
BOMBSHELLS VOL. 1: ENLISTED - For the Retro-Mom that wants to return to the days of Mad Men for the fashion but not the sexism
FABLES VOL. 1: LEGENDS IN EXILE (Vertigo/DC) - For the Harry Potter fan/Fairy tale Mom that remembers reading you Grimm's tales as a kid
GOTHAM ACADEMY VOL. 1 - Kind of like a Hogwarts in Gotham
GET JIRO! (Vertigo/DC) - For the chef Mom
IZOMBIE VOL. 1: DEAD TO THE WORLD (Vertigo/DC) - For the Walking Dead/Law & Order SVU / Trial of O.J. Simpson mom that has a sense of humor
SUPERGIRL VOL. 1: THE GIRL OF STEEL - Duh. Supergirl kicks ass! For Moms and Sisters and Girlfriends and Boyfriends
— Clay N. Ferno of LeaguePodcast
