Free Comic Book Day arrives tomorrow, and it’s going to bring a ton of excitement to the industry, as organizations both inside and outside the industry highlight it and fans of all-ages storm stores for their free comics. It’s an exciting and occasionally crazy day (depending on your retail shop), and it’s a great place to try new books or old books you haven’t tried yet.
You’ve seen me chime in on it already, as well as others from Multiversity’s staff. I also went to a number of creators around the industry to get their thoughts on the events of the day, and what they think of it, and the answers were interesting and pretty much universally positive. The question I asked was:
Here are their answers, and please, share your thoughts on FCBD in the comments. The more the merrier!
Dennis Hopeless (Avengers Arena): I do the Avengers Arena letters column and my favorite fan emails all start with the sentence, “I’ve never really read comics before but…” I love that. I love new readers falling in love with comic books and becoming fans. It’s an experience we all share and it’s vital for the future of the medium. For whatever reason, attracting new readers is also one of the hardest hurdles our industry faces. But once a year, it’s easy. FCBD makes it easy. You give away free books and your shop fills up with new faces, each one of them a potential fan. It’s a simple thing but it works.
Jamie S. Rich (It Girl and the Atomics): My best experience with Free Comic Book Day has been when the store does a lot of outreach, workign with creators and publishers, and creates an event, something more than just a sale or a table full of free comics. Zeus in Dallas, Cosmic Monkey or TFAW in Portland–to name a few whose days I’ve actually been a part of–places that make it almost like a mini convention and get the word out about the day, so that they are either drawing in new readers who might be curious or getting regular readers to try something new. That, for me, has always been fundamental to what FCBD has been about.
I also like when publishers use the day creatively. The way Dark Horse has done flip books that pair up good properties or how Oni Press launches titles and makes sure there is material for kids, as well as for adults, to me keeps the focus on this being a gateway day. Even though we always tie the date to some big Hollywood release for one of the superhero movies–and I think that’s great, I am as excited to see Iron Man 3 as anyone else–I don’t think an introduction to the next major superhero crossover event is going to cultivate new readers. You’re more likely to do that by letting people in on the ground floor of a new Chris Roberson/Scott Kowalchuk comic, Strangers #1, that doesn’t require knowing decades of continuity or a flowchart for identifying characters. A Molly Danger/Princeless flipbook is going to cause a child to fall in love with comics more than a DC Nation sampler.
Greg Pak (Batman/Superman): I love Free Comic Book Day for getting thousands of comics into the hands of thousands of civilians. We in the comics business make books that millions of people would love if they only even knew they existed. Free Comic Book Day goes a long way to reminding people about the awesomeness of actual comic books and getting people to actually visit a brick and mortar store. Once they’ve made the trek and had a great experience, it’s easier to come back again. And again and again and again, if all goes as planned.
Continued belowFred Van Lente (Archer & Armstrong): Free Comic Book Day is invariably on the same weekend as my wedding anniversary (which I’m sure is a coincidence…right?) and when I’m traveling it’s fun to bring my wife and make a romantic weekend out of it. It’s fun to travel around the country and see the fans. This year I’m at Farpoint Toys in Mays Landing, New Jersey — come see me from noon to 5p on Free Comic Book Day — which right by Atlantic City! So the wife and I are gonna spend the rest of the weekend on the beach!
Jim Zubkavich (Skullkickers): I love seeing kids excited about comics any time of the year and Free Comic Book Day focuses that enthusiasm really well. The newsstand isn’t as much a presence and garage sales and flea markets jammed with old comics aren’t as prevalent anymore. We need to make sure the next generation of readers are discovering comics, finding art and stories that inspire them. If Free Comic Book Day can serve that purpose near and far then I’m all for it.
Frank Barbiere (Five Ghosts): As a fan and creator, I’m personally really excited at anything that gets more people in comic shops. I think publishers have done a great job of getting stuff out there to promote books for different audiences, so I love the idea of people who don’t normally read comics finding something they really enjoy.
