Free Comic Book Day

July 3, 2004 6:55 AM

Today is Free Comic Book Day in the US and few other places. Here's your chance to get reaquainted with an old friend.
posted by signal (13 comments total)

All the stores in my area hate me big time.

I'm always told to go to eBay or Vault Auctions for Uncle $crooge reprints.


I'm always told to go to Borders for a copy of The Comics Journal.

I'm always told to go to a record store for Love & Rockets.

I'm always told to buy a newspaper if I want to read Zippy.

I'm always led to the Judge Dredd reprints whenever I ask for an old copy of World War Three Illustrated; once I explain to them what the publication's about, I'm given a blank stare as the salespeople back away slowly.

And whenever I ask about Hate!, I'm told to get my skinhead literature someplace else.
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:49 AM on July 3, 2004

Oooh. I may have to stop by and pick up that Archie comic book. I bought Archie comics all the time back in the day.
posted by SisterHavana at 9:30 AM on July 3, 2004

i totally forgot about this...! all the comic shops in my area participate, and one of them even gives out 2 free comics to each person, not just one.

thanks signal...!
posted by t r a c y at 10:57 AM on July 3, 2004

I wish it were later this year. I'm not too sure if I want to actually pay to see Hal Jordan's return or not. Why can't superheroes stay un/dead?

At any rate, thanks for the reminder, signal.
posted by WolfDaddy at 11:33 AM on July 3, 2004

Alas, it would appear that the "few other places" seems to be ... Canada.

It would have killed them to include the UK? And yes, I am in the UK ... not that that has anything to do with anything, ahem ahem.
posted by kaemaril at 12:08 PM on July 3, 2004

Actually, kaemaril, take a look at this.
posted by signal at 12:17 PM on July 3, 2004

And whenever I ask about Hate!, I'm told to get my skinhead literature someplace else.

What???

Who were the communists who said that to you? I'll help you stomp their asses into runny goo.
posted by jonmc at 12:30 PM on July 3, 2004

No joke, SmartDalek, I've always been puzzled by peoples distaste for that comic. I read one reviewer describe Buddy Bradley as a "loathsome character" and another person upon seeing my Buddy: "What's the use?" t-shirt, responded: "You kinda look like Buddy, you don't act like him I hope?"

Now, Buddy's not an examplar of humanity by any stretch of the imagination, but he's hardly the embodiment of evil. I always identified with him. And the stories and artwork are great, regardless. Some people differ, and that's fine, but I can't for the life of me figure out why.
posted by jonmc at 12:41 PM on July 3, 2004

My comic book store actually gave out TONS. I got the big bag (heh. I think I was recognized as a frequent visitor.) A few friends of mine were treated to small bags. The big bag had one of everything (!!) and the small bag had like, 15 comics. It was pretty awesome, in a geeky sort of way. *Goes back to reading...*
posted by graventy at 3:56 PM on July 3, 2004

Hey, I was at that store earlier today (not for Free Comics Day, but I picked up a bag anyway...11 comics in the small bag .)

There were lots of little kids in there getting comics, which I think is a really good thing for the comics industry. Now all they have to do is find a way of getting more girls in there, and the industry would be set.
posted by Electric Elf at 5:45 PM on July 3, 2004

My local store gave out three comic books plus a Heroclix to everyone and they also had a big sale going on. My kids weren't interested but my wife and I picked up some good stuff. Don't know where I went wrong with the kids....
posted by maurice at 6:18 PM on July 3, 2004

The store that I regularly buy from gave me free reign on selecting free comics. It probably helped that I was buying $50 worth of comics at the same time.

What struck me as funny was how many people were in the store pretending to look around, waiting to be asked if they would like a free comic. After receiving their free comic, about 90% left without making a purchase.

One of the free comics was Andi Watson's Love Fights #1, which is the only issue I had been missing.
posted by fizz-ed at 12:15 AM on July 4, 2004

signal: D'OH!

Interestingly enough, my Local Comics Store is the store that they've got listed for my region. And they emphatically DENIED that they were doing anything for free comics day. I must hunt them down and punish them, oh yes... :(
posted by kaemaril at 8:38 AM on July 4, 2004