Comic Book Guy: Free Comic Book Day

This Saturday 7 May is a very auspicious day in the comic book calendar: it is Free Comic Book Day, held the first Saturday of every may since 2002. This does not, however, mean that you can waltz into your local comic book store or Forbidden Planet and sweep the contents of the shelves into an over-sized duffle bag; that behaviour is still frowned upon.

The implication of the day is not entirely misleading. There are indeed free comic books to be had in participating stores across the country and, in fact, worldwide. Although your local corner shop will not be giving any of its limited selection away, thousands of independent comic book shops and chains, such as Forbidden Planet, will be taking part.

Each comic book store will determine their own allocation for the booty on offer and, as the first Saturday in May approaches, www.FreeComicBookDay.com will launch a shop locator service that will show you participating retailers in your area. There you can sign up for e-mails and alerts and get an idea on just how early you may need to get to stores on Saturday morning to secure your prizes.

FCBD is administered by a panel representing all parts of the comic book industry: retailers, publishers, suppliers, and Diamond Comic Distributors. Each year, publishers apply to provide comic books at no cost to retailers, who in turn give them away for free.

Although FCBD will be embraced by each store slightly differently, there are some choice titles to be had for both adults and children alike. Titles include the Amazing Spider-Man, Locke & Key, Green Lantern, 2000 AD and Inspector Gadget, to name a diverse few. For a full list of comics on offer visit FreeComicBookDay.com/comics and be sure to visit your local store this Saturday 7 May 2011.