The biggest event in the comic book industry, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), is Saturday, May 2. Participating comic book specialty shops across the U.S., Canada, and worldwide will pass out comics for free, and each will host their own community events such as costume contests, drawings by guest artists, creator signings, raffles, door prizes, photos with costumed characters, and other community building activities. Every shop celebrates its own unique way so fans can experience their local comic shop’s personality with a thriving community of pop-culture enthusiasts.
Celebrating its 14th year, 2015 FCBD marks the biggest yet with many free comic book titles for new and devoted fans, along with other treasures at your local comic shop. Twelve Gold and 38 Silver sponsors’ comic books include titles that are great for kids and adults, including my personal favorites the Doctor Who Special, Avengers #1, Cleopatra in Space, Dark Circle #1, Neil Gaiman’s Lady Justice, Mercury Heat, and Secret Wars.
“Free Comic Book Day gives new and devoted comic book, entertainment, and pop-culture fans the opportunity to get great titles for free, while participating in fun and interactive comic shop events,” said FCBD Spokesperson Dan Manser. “One of the best parts about Free Comic Book Day is discovering that you are a part of a giant community of like-minded fans who love the same stories, TV shows, and movies that you do. The comic shop is really a great place to meet your new best friends and discover the stories that will entertain you and enrich your life.”
In Nashville, The Great Escape Charlotte Avenue is one of my favorites. Win at the Great Escape Free Comic Book Day Costume Contest! At all Great Escape locations, gift certificates will be awarded to costume contest winners in three age categories: seven and under; 8-12; and 13 and up. 1st prize: $25; 2nd prize: $15; and 3rd prize: $10. Just stop by, get your picture taken, and voting runs May 4 through May 24. A company-wide $50 Grand Prize will be voted upon between May 25 and May 31.
“We are going to have 250 long boxes of 50 cent books this year plus for every $10 people spend in the store, we will have a bonus table full of books ranging in price from $15 up for free,” said Rick Parman at Rick’s Comic City. “We will also have tons of books not on FCBD list to give out on our bonus free tables. We will give anybody that shows up in costume a ticket to the bonus table just for being in cosplay. We do this each year. We will have lots of local artists here like always.” Ricks Comic City is at 2710 Old Lebanon Rd., Suite 3, Nashville, TN 37214.
Other participating shops in the Nashville area include The Great Escape Madison at 111 Gallatin Pike North, Suite B, Madison, Tenn., 37115; or Comic City Too at 1574 Gallatin Pike N, Suite C, Madison, Tenn., 37115. All FCBD participating store locations, as well as complete descriptions of all FCBD titles, are online now at www.freecomicbookday.com
