This Saturday, Free Comic Book Day returns to a [https://www.freecomicbookday.com/StoreLocator]Local Comic Book Shop near you. Sure, it’s Cinco de Mayo, Derby Day and Revenge of The Fifth all on the same day so you had best get out and do something that day!
Celebrating its 17th year, Free Comic Book Day is the comic book specialty market’s annual event where participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic book absolutely free to anyone who comes into their comic shops. The event is held the first Saturday in May and is the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the many worlds of wonder available at local comic shops. From superheroes to slide-of-life to action/adventure and beyond, Free Comic Book Day has a comic book for everyone!
We were given an advance copy of some of the Free Comic Book Day titles so here is a preview. If this is your first FCBD, follow these simple rules to have the best time!
Follow the store rules!
If the store is only giving one comic per customer, or one per publishing line or whatever they say, don’t be greedy! Free Comic Book Day is for the kids, so make sure you leave some for that kid to discover the wonderful world of comics.
Buy Something!
Within your budget of course, but even buying a pin, toy, a cracked Batman mug on discount or rummage through the $0.25 bin for a rare treat! The stores are paying for these Free Comic Book Day titles to get you into the store. Feel free to browse and pick up a book you wouldn’t usually read.
In the words of the late author Michelle McNamara, “It’s Chaos, Be Kind”. Your normal human interaction rules apply on Free Comic Book Day and every day. Don’t tackle a teenager for that free Riverdale book…and lay off the Jingle Jangle!
That’s enough of the rules! Now for some of the books we are most excited about for Free Comic Book Day 2018!
Shadowman / Harbinger Wars II (Valiant)
Learn more about the explosive Lucia Alonzo in the Harbinger Wars II preview!
Bongo Comics Free For All (Bongo)
Join Bart and Lisa Simpson as they attempt to run Krusty’s show after an accident spend some time with Rod, Todd, Itchy AND Scratchy!
Strangers in Paradise (Abstract Studios)
Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise is back in regular series for the 25th Anniversary. The FCBD offering is a great jumping on for with this ‘Season’ of SiP!
Riverdale (Archie Comics)
Superstar artist Joe Eisma puts the focus on Pop’s in Chock’lit Shop of Horrors on the longest night of the year!
The Tick (New England Comics)
One of the annual treats of FCBD is the existence of new Tick comics! All new stories now streaming…in this comic!
DC Super Hero Girls (Put Your Cape On!) (DC Comics)
We’ve got an unhealthy obsession with this all ages welcome DC Comic Universe. With a cameo from Commissioner Gordon, Batgirl, Wonder Girl, Supergirl and Bumblebee team up with Ivy and Harley to save S.T.A.R. Labs. Fun for all ages of DC Comics fans from writer Shea Fontana.
Star Wars Adventures (IDW Publishing)
You read that right, IDW has been cranking out this appropriate for all ages Star Wars book and people are loving it! What doesn’t hurt your cost of admission of free is Chewey and Han on the cover. They have a movie coming out! Artist Derek Charm has a perfectly cartoony style for Cavan Scott’s story.
James Bond: VARGR (Dynamite Comics)
As a fan of this Warren Ellis and Jason Masters run on James Bond as we wait to see if there will be another movie or actor, this Bond is closest to a modern take of what you’d expect from Fleming himself. Another great take on James Bond. I’m tempted to say if you are picking this up for a taste, just put this issue down and grab the trade. This is of the best licensed comics in the past few years.
Die Kitty Die (Chapterhouse Comics)
For fans of old-school Archie, former artist and writer Dan Parent’s Die Kitty Die is a send up in the best possible way. His and Fernando Ruiz signature style mixed with more teenage friendly themes brings magic, pinups and the afterlife to a new level.
Disney Princess (Joe Books, Ltd.)
The second surprising imprint for a Disney property today takes you ‘Under The Sea’ with Ariel and Sebastian!
Berlin (Drawn & Quarterly)
For the art-school crowd historical fiction comics creator Jason Lutes samples his masterwork Berlin for the uninitiated.
Howard Lovecraft: Big Book of Summer Fun (Arcana)
Is Cthulhu just misunderstood? You make the call! Backup story is The Steam Engines of Oz, which checks off a lot of boxes for this reviewer.
Also look forward to Avengers by Jason Aaron, The Amazing Spider-Man by new team Nick Spencer and Invincible’s Ryan Ottley, Doctor Who #0 from Titan Comics and Transformers #0 from IDW.
There are many more books, one for each quadrant of your fan brain, but choose wisely! If you are lucky enough to live close to a few shops, make a day of it! That way you can get more books, follow the rules and invest some money back in to the shops that work hard to get your books on the shelf every Wednesday.
Have a blast!
Fans can find the closest participating local comic shop by clicking HERE!
