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.
Mark’s Picks:
The Bone Orchard Mythos: Prelude: I absolutely love Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino’s “Gideon Falls,” so the idea of them doing a series of horror stories set in a shared universe is extremely appealing. And it all kicks off here with this one-shot story, ‘Shadow Eater.’
Avatar: The Last Airbender / The Legend of Korra: I always look forward to new stories set in the Avatar Legends universe, so I have to pick this up. On top of that, last year’s ‘Matcha Makers’ ended up being my favourite story from FCBD. Oh, and this year’s artists, Meredith McClaren (“Hinges”) and Kicking Shoes (twin sisters Kelly and Nichole Matthews), are really interesting picks too. I can’t wait to see what they do.
The Umbrella Academy: I’m not entirely sure what this is. It’s not listed on the FCBD website, all we officially have is a tweet from @UmbrellaAcad promising “a free comic book day gift.” There was a little more information in Fábio Moon’s newsletter… “While [Gabriel] Bá and Gerard [Way] are busy making the fourth Umbrella Academy story, an opportunity presented itself to make something special for Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book Day is next weekend, and this all started three weeks ago, so Bá had to push his magic-horse-whisperer-rain-maker button and make this something in time to go to the printer. He delivered.” I’m assuming it’s a comic, but really, I can’t say for sure just yet.
Brian’s Picks:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW): TMNT is a property that can seem a little impenetrable, especially with how long the IDW series has been running. This kickoff to the next big Turtles event is a great jumping on point for readers, like me, who are curious about what is going on with our heroes in a half shell.
Dark Crisis #0 (DC): Speaking of big events, DC’s “Dark Crisis” kicks off in a few weeks. But before then, bridging the gap between “Justice League” #75 and “Dark Crisis” #1, we have this FCBD issue by Joshua Williamson and Jim Cheung. “Dark Crisis” is an event that will seemingly effect DC for a long time to come, so don’t miss out on this preview chapter.
Best of 2000 AD #0 (Rebellion): 2000 AD is one of the best comics published every single week, and people sleep on it all the time. Check out this sampler and see what that is a tragic mistake.
Kate’s Picks:
Doctor Who #1 (Titan Comics): Kicking off a new story arc, this FCBD issue focuses on a Doctor we’re all eager to know more about: the Ruth Doctor, introduced at the tail end of Jodie Whittaker’s time. Could this be a hint about who could be taking over in the TARDIS later this year?
Fuzzy Baseball Triple Play (Papercutz) : If my brain isn’t on comics, it’s on baseball, so this is the best of both worlds for me.
Marvel’s Voices (Marvel): If you haven’t had the chance to check out any of the “Marvel’s Voices” one-shots, this title collects several of those stories, and includes a new one from Nadia Shammas.
The Guardian of Fukushima (Tokyopop): The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that destroyed the Fukushima plant is an interesting choice of topic, but this installment shows the human side of the story focusing on a farmer who takes a stand for his land and his animals.
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Ramon’s Picks:
Avatar: The Last Airbender / The Legend of Korra (Dark Horse): Almost every year Dark Horse puts out a new Avatar comic on FCBD, at this point is a tradition to get this book.
Neverlanders (Penguin): I don’t like “preview” issues or reprints on FCBD, I think that the goal of reaching new readers is better accomplished with all-new stories that can stand alone on their own and be part of a bigger story, but for this book I’m making an exception, and the reason for it is Tom Taylor; the writer is doing great work mainly at DC, steadily becoming a super star, but his creator-owned material (namely, Seven Secrets) has been spectacular, and I am eager to know what he is planning with this series of graphic novels.
Best of 2000 AD #0 (Rebellion): Originally, this was Rebellion’s offering for 2020, but due to the pandemic we weren’t able to get it, so I’m very happy to see this project finally coming out, I waited two years to meet you, you beautiful book.
Johnny’s Picks:
Best of 2000AD (Rebellion) Judge Dredd! Nemesis the Warlock! D.R. & Quinch!! This issue is a fantastic trip down memory lane for fans of 2000AD, but also a great introduction for the uninitiated. A ton of comics luminaries cut their teeth on this book, such as Kevin O’Neill to Chris Burnham to Alan Davis, and they’re all featured in this very cool, very free comic!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW) Wow! A fun little surprise contained within – an origin so nice, they tell it twice! The TMNT brand is still going strong, and a passing of the torch from longtime writer Tom Waltz to the new creative force behind the Turtles (not gonna spoil that) for a brand new era begins here!
Clementine: Issue One (Image Comics) Almost certainly the most robust of offerings for FCBD 2022, Image is giving us the full first issue (28 pages!) of indie creator Tillie Walden’s foray into “The Walking Dead”-verse, a YA geared tale of survival in the well-traveled zombie apocalypse of Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s creation. I’m a mark for Tillie Walden, so even if I don’t really care much for TWD, I’ll be here for Walden’s spin on the franchise. Also included are two other short stories – and at nearly 60 pages total, this comic is well worth the price of admission.
