Free Comic Book Day celebrates its 15th anniversary this Saturday (May 7) with thousands of comic book shops around the globe participating in this event to promote literacy through comic books, and the local retailers that sell them. An estimated 6 million comic books will be handed out with 50 free comic books available from a variety of genres, age groups, and publishers.
Your local shop determines how many free comic books you can take home, and whether they’re a gold or silver shop means the difference between 38 comics available (silver) or all 50 (gold). Don’t let that discourage you, though, because with 38 or 50 comics available, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest or could discover something new.
Here are some free comics you may want to look out for this Free Comic Book Day:
Gold Books
Civil War II (Marvel)
This sequel event to 2006’s “Civil War” launches next month, but veteran writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Jim Cheung (Scion, Young Avengers) give us a sneak peek to the upcoming fight here. A bonus back-up story written by Mark Waid with art by Alan Davis introduces an all-new Wasp to the Avengers.
Serenity (Dark Horse)
This all-new Firefly story written by Chris Roberson (Hellboy) with art by Stephen Byrne takes place after the events in the 2005 film, Serenity. This issue also contains a new Hellboy story written by creator Mike Mignola with art from the legendary Richard Corben, and a preview of the upcoming Aliens: Defiance series that will hit shops later this month.
ROM (IDW)
The original ROM was a joint venture between Marvel and Parker Brothers in 1979, with the board game company hoping the comic book would help sell its first toy. Unfortunately, ROM (the toy) was a bomb, but the comic book (written by Bill Mantlo with art by Sal Buscema) ran for 75 issues until 1986. Next month will see IDW release an all-new ROM series (in collaboration with Hasbro) with this issue, written by IDW Editor-in-Chief Chris Ryall with art by David Messina, serving as a preview.
Silver Books
Hilda (Nobrow)
British writer/cartoonist Luke Pearson has released four books in his quirky, Eisner Award-nominated children’s series, Hilda. The fifth book, Hilda and the Stone Forest, will be in bookstores later this year, but you can get a preview right here. Along with Hilda, you can also enjoy stories featuring Sam Bosma’s Fantasy Sports duo Wiz and Mug, and Akissi from Marguerite Abouet (Aya).
March (Top Shelf)
This award-winning series co-written by Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, with art by Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole), tells the story of Lewis’ work with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Along with snippets from the first two books in the series, this issue will also include a look at the upcoming conclusion to be released in August.
Mooncop: A Tom Gauld Sampler (Drawn & Quarterly)
In anticipation of the September release of Mooncop, Canadian independent publisher Drawn & Quarterly is releasing a look into the deadpan humor of British illustrator and Mooncop creator Tom Gauld (Goliath), with selections from his work for The Guardian. Mooncop follows the last policeman on the Moon in the waning days of the lunar colony.
The Phantom (Hermes Press)
Hermes Press, a publisher who specializes in reprints of classic titles like Mandrake the Magician and Pogo, has compiled four Phantom stories from the 1970s by writer Joe Gill (Captain Atom) with artwork by long-time Batman artists Jim Aparo and Don Newton for the 80th anniversary of “The Ghost Who Walks.” These stories are sure to be better than the Phantom movie from 1996 starring Billy Zane.
2000 A.D. Special (Rebellion/2000 A.D.)
There was some news late last year that this entry from the British publisher of Judge Dredd was rejected by FCBD, but it appears to be back on the list for this year’s event. With a cover by Mike Allred (Madman, Batman ‘66) and a slew of creators including Peter Milligan (Hellblazer, X-Force), Eric Powell (The Goon), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer) lending their talents to this 48-page mixture of new stories, digital strips, and even a downloadable song.
That’s just a tiny dose of the comics available on Free Comic Book Day. Click here for a complete list of the comics that may be available at comic shops, and here for a comic shop locator to find the shop nearest to you participating this year. Most of all remember to have fun — it’s free comics!
