One of my favorite days every year is, undoubtedly, Free Comic Book Day. It’s easy to see why if you’ve ever experienced it. For a fan of comics, it’s the time of the year where the enthusiasm within the fandom of the industry spills off into a more general populace, and you can see men and women, kids and their parents, hardcore fanboys and newcomers and anything in-between spilling into their local comic book shops to experience the wonder of comics (especially in a weekend that also features the arrival of Iron Man 3).
Not only that, but you can often find some genuinely great comics at Free Comic Book Day. Upcoming TV show and consistently great comic The Sixth Gun from Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt actually released its first issue on FCBD. Last year, Archaia released a storybook (no better way to say it) that had absolutely phenomenal production value and stellar comics like Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulos’ Cow Boy and David Petersen’s Mouse Guard in there.
There are an array of good options every year, but sometimes it’s hard to choose just a select few, as many shops keep a cap on how many books a single customer can get. So what should you get this year? Well, I’ll share my list if limited to five (the cap my local shop has) below, and let me know what you’re excited about this year in the comments. I’ll even share my next five in name only afterwards.
Archaia’s Rust/Mouse Guard Flip Book
One of the two publishers I walk away with a book from every Free Comic Book Day, Archaia tends to have the best book released on this glorious day (although nothing tops their 2012 offering). This year’s book is no different, as they go back to their popular flip book format highlighting to phenomenal books.
First, you have Royden Lepp’s Rust, a book whose understated storytelling is perfectly amplified by his stellar art. Then, you have David Petersen doing what he does on Mouse Guard, drawing legendary quality animals and telling epic stories featuring the mice of the Guard.
Not only will these be great stories on their own, they’re also all-ages books. If you’re a parent looking for something to share with your child, I highly recommend this.
Red 5’s Atomic Robo & Friends
This book tends to give readers a taste of Red 5’s releases, but it’s always led by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener’s brilliant Atomic Robo. It’s the other staple of my yearly haul, as we tend to get some freaking hilarious adventures featuring Robo and the always amazing Dr. Dinosaur. Even better yet? This book tends to not only be awesome to man children like me, but real children. I mean, bombastic, hilarious action featuring a robot and a talking dinosaur…what’s not to like? Don’t miss this book.
Marvel’s Infinity
While not every year sees me go home with Marvel’s book, this is undoubtedly one of those years. Marvel is kicking off their upcoming Infinity event with this book, and it is from just an outrageously awesome team. I mean come on…Jonathan Hickman and Jim Cheung? That should be illegal it’s so amazing. Marvel has pulled out all of the stops for this year’s edition, and I’d wager it should draw a lot of interest from movie fans given Thanos’ appearance in the Avengers movie. It’s going to be a hot ticket – don’t miss it people.
Dark Horse’s Mass Effect/Killjoys/RIPD
There are two premium releases from Dark Horse, and you could be served right by either of them. More of a Star Wars fan? Go for the other collection, as it has some Brian Wood Star Wars action in there. Myself? I’m going to go after this book, as, like with Gerard Way’s other Dark Horse book Umbrella Academy, this FCBD book will debut Way’s latest book The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Given the team involved, which includes Gabriel Ba on covers and Becky Cloonan on interiors, you couldn’t possibly get me more excited for a FCBD release.
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Oni’s The Strangers
Like with The Sixth Gun, Oni will be debuting a book on Free Comic Book Day this year, and this time it’s Chris Roberson and Scott Kowalchuk’s The Strangers. Promising a fun read that finds some sweet sixties superspy action going on, you’re sure to get great writing and ginchy art from this team, as well as something that’s just a blast to read. I can’t wait for this, but if you’re on the fence for this one, check out my interview with Roberson and Kowalchuk tomorrow along with a preview for the book.
Next Five
Dark Horse’s Star Wars/Captain Midnight/Avatar: Brian Wood + Star Wars = must get.
Image’s The Walking Dead Special: almost certain to be the speculator special, this reprints an old story and has a new story from Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard starring the very much dead in the comic but alive in the TV show Tyreese.
Valiant’s Harbinger Wars Special: I’m not sure if these will be new stories, but if not, I’m sure Valiant will get you a great sampler of their exceptional comics.
Drawn and Quarterly’s Marble Season: Umm…it’s Gilbert Hernandez, and it’s the debut of a new story from him. So yeah, get this.
Top Shelf’s Top Shelf Kids Club: People think of Top Shelf as very adult comic makers, but they also make some wicked awesome all-ages books. Come for the Owly, stay for the Kochalka and Korgiiii!
