Buying comics can be an expensive hobby. A lot of fans simply can’t afford everything they’re interested in, due to rising prices and the over-saturation of the market with superhero titles.
Every week Multiversity staffers get together to create pull lists with a $20 budget. But what if comics didn’t cost anything? What if you could walk into a shop and get free funny books? Well, it might look something like Free Comic Book Day! To celebrate tomorrow’s festivities we’ve put together a list of some of the comics we are most excited to pick up on this most joyous of comics holidays!
For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit the official FCBD website.
Hungry for more Free Comic Book Day discussion? Check out yesterday’s episode of Robots from Tomorrow!
Matt Garcia’s Pick:
Hilda
Nobrow Press consistently releases some of the most imaginative, off-the-wall, and inspired cartoons and comics right now. Their flagship title is probably Luke Pearson’s all ages “Hilda” series, which follows an adventurous girl who’s always getting mixed up with giants and trolls and monsters, so it only makes sense that this would be their first ever FCBD offering. Like the best all ages stuff, it balances a humor and sensibility appealing to adults and kid, specifically by remaining true to its own sensibilities. Also, the oversized hardcovers are simply gorgeous. From the sounds of it, this one is a flashback to one of Hilda’s first adventures in the Stone Forest, and involves body-swapping. Also, included is a snippet of Sam Bosma’s next “Fantasy Sports” book; the first one combines sports manga and Space Jam and I kind of hope that irreverence continues.
Robbie Pleasant’s Pick:
Doctor Who: Four Doctors
With decades of continuity spanning television, books, comics, and audio dramas, as well as a dozen different Doctors (give or take), Doctor Who is a cultural phenomenon. The regenerating Time Lord known as the Doctor and his many companions have had all sorts of fantastic adventures, and the Free Comic Book Day sampler “Doctor Who: Four Doctors Special FCBD 2016 Edition” will bring four of those stories to us.
The great thing about the Doctor Who expanded universe is how it’s not limited by what we’ve seen on the TV show, allowing it to bring in new characters. Imagine if the classic show could provide the 6th Doctor with his shape-shifting penguin companion, Frobisher, or if the 9th Doctor could ever meet his first incarnation. Last year’s sampler provided a set of stories with comic-only companions, all of whom have their own different chemistries with the Doctor, and unique comic-only aliens to fight.
With the four latest Doctors, from the all-too-short-lived 9th and the still-ongoing 12th, we’re sure to get some fantastic stories that you won’t see anywhere else. Allons-y!
Jess Camacho’s Pick:
One Punch Man/My Hero Academia
Free Comic Book Day has a lot of comics that help hype up upcoming storylines and while that’s great for people who have been reading for a while, it’s not always useful for the newbie. That’s why I genuinely like manga samplers like the ones you can get on FCBD. VIZ has some great licenses and the best superhero story being told right now is included in this sampler. “One Punch Man” is everything. It’s a fantastic series with a healthy amount of comedy to counter the big action you can come to expect from manga. It’s lead character Saitama is endearing and the art is top notch. “My Hero Academia”, like “One Punch Man” is heavy on the superheroics but it has a sweetness to it that you can only get on something that’s focused on younger kids. Both series are well worth your time and money but on FCBD, you don’t have to choose. You can get this free sampler and hopefully get successfully pulled into both these series.
Ken Godberson III’s Pick:
Attack on Titan
I’ll admit, after binging 16 volumes of “Attack on Titan” in the span of about two-and-a-half weeks, I did burn out on the series. After a break though, I am now immensely curious to see how other creators (such as Brenden Fletcher, Scott Snyder, Gail Simone, Babs Tarr and Paolo Rivera) create stories in the AoT Universe or even just about it. The anthology itself isn’t coming until fall, but hopefully this little tease will be enough to hold over.
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Chris Thompson’s Pick:
Rom/Action Man
In my unique position as both a retailer and journalist, I’ve already had the opportunity to read IDW’s ROM/Action Man offering for Free Comic Book Day. It may not be the ROM we previously knew and loved from Marvel Comics, but it is very much aligned with the original toy concept and styling. David Messina’s art brings a wonderful modern vibe to the character, without losing any of his vintage charm. You can hear more about the issue (as well as an in-depth history of the character and Marvel comic line) on this week’s Orbital In Conversation: Episode 192.
Mike Romeo’s Picks:
Love and Rockets Sampler
Anyone who’s heard me talk about comics for more than a few minutes knows how much I adore “Love and Rockets.” Over the past thirty-some years, Los Bros. Hernandez have regaled readers with heartfelt stories of locas in love and a fictitious South American town. This issue is a bit of a landmark, as it signals the end of “Love and Rockets: New Stories,” the brothers’ eight volume series of annual graphic novels, and the start of a new, quarterly run of single issues. If you’ve somehow never partaken in the glory that is “Love and Rockets,” I’d say that this is the perfect time to rectify that. And for long-term readers, this issue promises several surprises!
Spongebob Freestyle Funnies
While scrolling through this year’s offerings, one name got me more excited than any other on the list: Ramona Fradon. That’s right, in this year’s free Spongebob Squarepants comic, the legendary cartoonist will be making an appearance. For those who don’t know, Fradon made her name drawing Aquaman and his finny friends back in “Adventure Comics.” Later, she went on to co-create Metamorpho in the pages of “The Brave and the Bold,” and had stints on “Plastic Man” and “Superfriends.” Considering her relationship with Silver Age DC Comics, it’s only fitting that her contribution to this issue would be the series’ Aquaman parody Mermaid Man. Also in this issue are some guys named Evan Dorkin and James Kochalka.
Brian Salvatore’s Picks:
DC Super Hero Girls Special
To me, Free Comic Book Day is all about kids – this is the perfect time to bring kids to the store, see how fun it can be, get some free comics, and hook ’em on, hopefully, a lifelong passion for reading. I have a four year old daughter who loves Teen Titans GO! and who has interest in characters like Supergirl and Wonder Woman – this book should be right up her alley. Plus, kudos to DC for specifically targeting comics to young girls, the least focused upon group of consumers there are.
Science Comics
Again, tomorrow is all about the kids, and First Second is using their FCBD special to highlight science in a kid-friendly way. This is great for a few reasons: it is interesting, educational, unusual comic material, presented in a fun way that might get science lovers to read a comic, and might get comic lovers to care about science! This is the one day of the year that your local comic shop should be 100% focused on the kiddies – hopefully they ordered lots of these.
Greg Matiasevich’s Pick:
2000 AD
Getting “2000 AD” in print here in the US can be a little tricky. Through no fault of ours or 2000 AD overlord Tharg, the best way to stay current with the Progs is to go digital (or follow along via Multiver-City One!). So that makes FCBD extra special because it means US shops get a slab of printed Thrill-Power to rack alongside the other goodies absolutely gratis! And what an awesome gathering of talent it is! From the Mike & Laura Allred cover to a new Dredd strip from Alec Worley and Eric Powell to new strips from Joelle Jones (with Matt Smith) and the team of Hannah Berry & Dani, the number of Eisner awards accounted for in just those names alone is staggering, and that doesn’t even count the classics reprinted along side them! I mean this in all seriousness – do NOT miss this comic on Saturday; it has to be the best 2000 AD FCBD comic yet!
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Mark Tweedale’s Pick:
Serenity/Hellboy/Aliens Special
Firefly ended all too soon. Fortunately it found a second life in the form of a feature film, and then a third life in comics. Unfortunately, the comics don’t come out very often. I’m hoping this FCBD short story means there’s something in the pipeline.
I don’t read the Aliens comics, but I’m curious to check it out, especially to see Tristan Jones’s art. I think he’s got the right feel for the material.
But, I’m not gonna lie, it’s the “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.” story that I’m really excited about. Richard Corben’s on art, Mike Mignola’s writing the story. This is a great way to kick off the 1954 arc.
