Free Comic Book Day is a big deal for the comics community. Not only do the fans get their hands on dozens of free comics from their favourite publishers, but the people who put so much work into getting those comics into your hands get the chance to see their work reach a much wider audience.
For Marvel and DC (and to a lesser extent, Image) their job is relatively easy. With bankable, recognizable characters and books, fans will flock to their brands easily. For smaller publishers, FCBD is especially important as there’s a potentially huge customer base (one that may otherwise not have been in a comic shop) that will see their work.
This year, Vault Comics have chosen their hugely successful book “Maxwell’s Demons” as their Free Comic Book Day release. I had the chance to catch up with the writer of “Maxwell’s Demons” Deniz Camp to hear his thoughts on his work being chosen for Free Comic Book Day, as well as Editor in Chief of Vault Comics Adrian Wassel to find out a little bit more about what goes into making an event like this happen.
Let’s start with you Deniz, “Maxwell’s Demons” has seen its first few issues released now. How has the reception been so far for you, (artist) Vittorio (Astone) and (letterer) Aditya (Bidikar), and of the book you’re all creating?
Deniz Camp: Overwhelming and suspiciously positive. So many people have taken a moment to drop a note about how much they liked the book, or how surprised they were by issue 2, how excited they are for more. Our orders were insane, with now over 50K copies of issue 1 sold to stores. It’s been an incredible experience. I’ve been so, so grateful for the response, the excitement, truly.
But I’m also aware that this might be some sort of vast, intricate conspiracy of kindness orchestrated by my girlfriend. I haven’t ruled that out yet, and I’ll keep you updated.
Easier to believe is the praise garnered by Vittorio’s artwork and Aditya’s letters, which have both gotten a lot of attention.
One of the great things about “Maxwell’s Demons” is the feeling that you’re only just getting started with this story. Where will you be taking fans as the series moves forward?
DC: Oh, we’ve got so much further to go! With issue 3 (out May 2nd!) we’re going to be getting a little bit more focus on Max’s relationship with his father. Issue 4 is a love story, the story of first love and we introduce one of the major characters in Max’s life, who will get more focus in future issues. Issue 5 is the big finale of the first arc and, I think, completely alters the way you see the first 4 issues, and clarifies what we’ve been doing. I call it “The Big One”, it’s a big hinge point of the series, although it’s mostly a conversation between two people. It’s about the different ways of seeing, and how those can bring us into conflict, the tragedy of that.
As for what comes after, too early to say, but it will be bigger and wilder and hopefully more true than what came before.
How did it feel to find out that “Maxwell’s Demons” is Vault Comics choice for Free Comic Book Day this year?
DC: Again, “overwhelmed” is the only way to describe it, and honored. Free Comic Book Day is an amazing initiative, a way to get new people excited about our medium. But it’s more than that, because it emphasizes the community element of comics, which is one of the most powerful and satisfying parts of the hobby. To play a role in that, to be able to get work that we’re passionate about into the hands of so many people from diverse backgrounds and diverse age groups…to potentially help inspire someone to dive headfirst into comics as a medium…I don’t take that lightly, and I’m just very honored to be a part of it.
Adrian, from your point of view, what made “Maxwell’s Demons” the perfect choice for Free Comic Book Day?
Adrian Wassel: To start, every issue of “Maxwell’s Demons” reads as a complete story. As much as the first issue lays the groundwork for a long, nuanced tale about the smartest boy who’s ever lived, it’s also a single story about a son and his father. Hopefully, comic fans grab it on FCBD and want to see all the other adventures Deniz and Vittorio have in store for Max, but even if they don’t, they’ll still have the experience of reading a complete story.
Continued belowAlso, it’s brilliant, daring, and unapologetic — an emotional book for adults and young adult readers alike. We’ve had dozens of fans tell us it’s among their favorite #1s ever. My much younger brother (he’s 10 and reads more than anyone else I know) is absolutely hooked. I think he’s read the first two issues five times each.
A lot of work must go into getting ready for Free Comic Book Day, can you talk us through how Vault Comics has prepared, how many copies of “Maxwell’s Demons” will you be circulating?
AW: We’ll be circulating over 50,000 copies of Maxwell’s Demons #1 on FCBD. That’s on top of the thousands upon thousands we’ve already sold. FCBD is far and away the largest comic-focused promotional event in North America. You have to submit half a year in advance, build-out the book accordingly with FCBD ads, logos, etc. and get the print cost beneath a rather low ceiling. In short, it’s a lot of work. But it’s worth it.
How important do you guys thinks Free Comic Book Day is for both publishers and creators, as well as the comic shops?
AW: It’s beyond important. A lot of people don’t realize that the comics they’re grabbing on FCBD are not actually free for the shops. Publishers work together with Diamond to get production costs as low as possible and then sell those copies to stores at cost, but that’s still not free. Which is all to say, if a few thousand shops are buying over 12 million comics to give away on a single day…it’s beyond important.
And for a publisher, it’s validating. Being included in FCBD means you’re part of the biggest comic book event there is — tons of new fans will see your brand and your stories.
DC: Free Comic Book Day is an amazing opportunity to come together and welcome new people into not just the medium but the community of comics. Growing the diversity in storytelling, the diversity in readership, the diversity of the engaged fan community… that’s an exciting proposition. It’s the best sort of promotion, not a gimmick but a celebration and invitation.
A lot of readers will be picking up their very first comics on FCBD, do either of you remember what the first comics you read were?
DC: I know the first comic I read was a Superman comic, because I’ve loved Superman since God was a boy, but it’s all very hazy. The comic that I remember making comics an obsession was Jack Kirby’s “New Gods.” It lit me up so bad I could read it in a dark room. I still go back to it when I feel myself running low on creativity.
AW: I’m not sure I can recall the first comic I ever read. But I can remember, specifically, “Generation Next” #4, Frank Miller’s “Ronin,” a water-damaged “Doctor Strange” #169, “Moon Knight” #29 (with that trippy Bill Sienkiewicz cover), and some odd issues of “Nexus” in my first foray into comics. Looking at that list, I’m realizing now how spread out across decades and quality those comics were. I’m rather young. “Generation Next” was the only comic that was even slightly current when I jumped aboard.
For both of you, why should fans pick up Maxwell’s Demons on FCBD?
DC: It’s a book as human and personal as I could make while still allowing for universes to die and roads that eat people. I hope it’s a comic that can mean different things to different people, that has something for everyone, and I encourage everyone to give it a shot.
AW: It’s free. It’s excellent. It’s all-ages appropriate. And yet, it’s a challenging read. You can approach it ten times and walk away with ten different interpretations. So why not?
Finally, where will you both be on Free Comic Book Day?
AW: I’ll be at Muse, my local shop, with Michael Moreci — who will be signing his just released “Wasted Space” #1 with variant cover artist Tony Gregori. Tim Daniel, Damian Wassel, and Kim McLean will be there, too.
DC: Still figuring that out, but somewhere in Brooklyn or Manhattan! Look out for me, I’ll be announcing it on twitter @mdesaad!
Thanks both!
Free Comic Book Day is on Saturday May 5th. “Maxwell’s Demons” is written by Deniz Camp, illustrated by Vittorio Astone and lettered by Aditya Bidikar. Issue 3 is out from Vault Comics on May 2nd.
