Since 2002, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is held the first Saturday in May. Participating stores utilize the titles that publishers designate to attract new readers. Titles range from science fiction, to sports, to superheroes.
Customarily, FCBD coincides with a major-motion picture. For example, in 2002, the blockbuster hit Spiderman. In 2009, FCBC goes hand-in-hand with the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
FCBD History
According to its Wikipedia entry, FCBD is the brainchild of comic retailer Joe Field. Field first mentioned the idea in his "Big Picture" column for Comics & Games Retailer Magazine. The thought evolved to Diamond Comics, the industry's largest distributor, coordinating all efforts.
Joe Field is also known as a comic guru at the famous Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, Calif.
Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., was established in 1982. According to its website, "to provide comic book specialty retailers with wholesale, non-returnable comic books and related merchandise."
Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., is based in Timonium, Maryland.
Store Participation
FCBD is a chance for large and smaller shops to open their doors to new customers, and spruce things up for regulars. Taking advantage of the promotional pieces, comic book stores often enlist famous artists, actors, well-known comic book figures and even actors to dress up in Star Wars costumes to attract visitors.
Comic book store owners do not receive the FCBD titles from publishers for free, but they do get a substantial discount. Capes Comic Book Lounge owner, Sean Creswell, said that for his store's first FCBD, he's focused on using local talent and spreading the word through guerrilla marketing.
"We're really doing what this day was intended to do and have our store open to people to get them excited about comics," the Omaha, Neb., comic book shop owner said in a recent interview. "We will have some other activities, like artists and Wonder Woman's Jet on hand-Wonder Woman's Jet is of course invisible."
2009 Titles
FCBD available titles are divided into Gold or Silver offerings.
Gold Comics
Avengers
Blackest Night #0
Bongo Comics Free-For-All
Disney/Pixar Cars #1
Resurrection #0
Savage Dragon #148
Shonen Jump Presents: Ultimo
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
The Mighty Archie Art Players
Transformers Animated/G.I. Joe
Silver Comics
Aliens/Predator
APE Cartoonapalooza #2
Arcana Studio Presents
Atomic Robo And Friends
Attack Of the Alterna-Zombies!
Comics Festival! 2009 Volume 3
Contract #1
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer Preview
Dabel Bros. Showcase
DC Kids Mega Sampler
FCHS
Fist of Justice #1
Gold Digger #101/Prince of Heroes
IMPACT University Volume 5
Love & Capes
Love & Rockets Sampler
Mercy Sparx: Under New Management
Nancy & Melvin Monster
NASCAR Heroes: Origins #1
Owly And Friends
Radical 2009 Preview
Sonic The Hedgehog: Evolution Of A Hero
Studio 407 Sampler
The Stuff of Legend
The Wizard Hot List
TMNT #1 25th Anniversary Reprint
Warhammer Fantasy
William Shatner Presents #1
Wolverine: Origin Og An X-Man
Worlds of Aspen #4
