On Saturday, there are comic book shops all over the country wanting to give away hundreds of copies of free comic books. This is an annual event to boost support for the independant comic book retailers. You can find out more at www.freecomicbookday.com.
Obviously, if Diamond Distributors, the major comic book distribution company runs this event every year, then it must be effective. I am motivated by the event, even if none of the comic books are really all that ground breaking. In some cases they are reprints of comic books that I already own. I think that it is a fun way to put on the calender a visit a comic shop to support what they are doing to get me the comic books that I buy week after week. I hope, and expect, that this yearly event is their biggest sales day of the year.Â
In some cases the stores will have artists and other events. Richard’s Comics and Collectables in Greenville, SC, one of my favorite stores is going to have several character and some signings available on that day. I’m just looking to visit Rick’s Comic City, in Madison, TN, for the event. I’m hoping to just enjoy supporting the great store that they have. They are located at 1440 North Gallatin Road in Madison.
I wonder though if DC would take a gamble one year on this event. The free comic book day appears on the calendaer every year. They should capitalize on it. This would be a great opportunity to introduce some new story. This would also be the day to have something drastic hit the DC Universe that makes the national news. For example, this would have been a prime time for Marvel to kill Captian America, rather than a couple of weeks ago. They wouldn’t have need to give it away free, but it would be offered the same day people were already in the store.
If you are a regular buyer of comic books, go to your comic book store and support these folks that support your habit. If you don’t read comic books that much, this a great day to have a look around.