Today was Free Comic Book Day, a celebration that has been held annually on the first Saturday of May since 2002. On FCBD, comic books stores throughout North America and beyond distribute free comic books to anyone who walks through the door.
I first heard of FCBD last year, and thought the kids would enjoy it. I used the store locator, and found out that there was a comic book store right in my city, and that it had been there for many years (I had no idea). This year, we set out to discover a new comic book store, this time The Time Capsule in Cranston, RI.
It was so much fun! Best of all, for me, the store also carries thousands of old albums (you know, those huge round black things that came before the CD…), and my husband and I had a great time reminiscing.
I let the girls each pick out a comic book for purchase, and then I also bought some for myself. Shocked? Don’t be. Here’s what I bought:
Pride & Prejudice (Marvel)
Sherlock Holmes (Dynamite Entertainment)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Marvel)
(be sure to click on the cover of Pride and Prejudice to read a bit about the comic book and take a better look at the cover — you will understand why it was hard to resist!)
That’s right, I passed up superheroes and cartoon characters and weird tales, and all other types of comic books, in favor of a trio of literary adaptations. You see, I guess you can take the girl out of the bookstore, but you can’t take the bookstore out of the girl!
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Nice.
I didn’t buy any comic books today but I took home all the freebies I could carry. Fun!
I never knew these titles were in comic book form! Thanks, now I need to go do a search to see where to get them!
I’m so proud!
What a great idea! The promo got us into a store we wouldn’t have visited otherwise. I have been thinking about getting comics for my reluctant reader daughter so this promo was my incentive to take action! And I spent money (heck under $2.50/kids comic isn’t bad).
We picked up two Scooby Doo (paid) and the free Peanuts Halloween and Nancy comics.
Wouldn’t it be cool if the book industry did something similar? Publishers could produce a book to be given away free on that one special day a year. Maybe tie it to IndieBound?
Anne, I was having much the same thought!
Yay Ann! Let me know what you think of Oz – I think Skottie Young is one of the most original, talented artists working at Marvel (and in comics) today.
I agree that a bookstore equivalent to FCBD and Record Store Day would be great for booksellers and booklovers. Someone at the local record store in Portland told me that the planners behind Record Store Day are meeting with some booksellers and publishers this month, so maybe a “Free Book Day” or “Indie Bookstore Day” is in the near future!
I’d not heard about this event…must tell my comic-crazed bil.
hmm. . .I guess these would be graphic novels, wouldn’t they? Interesting to see literature treated this way.
Do you guys know if there are there any comic books/graphic novels that have become or inspired printed books?
Hey Stephen-
Good question. Other than books about Superman or Batman, one series springs to mind: Greg Rucka’s wrote two (?) novels based Tara Chace, star of his Queen & Country comics.
I’m sure there are others, but that one springs immediately to mind.
(There’s also going to be a novel based on the FABLES series. The novel, which has some illustrations, will be published this fall by DC Comics/Vertigo)
How was Pride and Prejudice? I’m intrigued!
Jackie, the Oz comics are so adorable!
Anne, I suggest Tiny Titans or Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade. They are both great comics for kids.
Sawinkler, right now those books are just comics, as in, separate issues. Once the mini-series is wrapped up they will most likely be collected as trade paperbacks (graphic novels).
Also, I read the first issue of P&P and it was not what I expected. I thought from the cover that it might be a comical adaptation but it’s a straight adaptation of the novel, albeit shortened.
Sorry to run on! Here’s a few links about FCBD if anyone is interested. The first is a brief description of what it’s all about and the second is the rest of the comics team and myself reporting on our experiences that day.
http://www.girlsentertainmentnetwork.com/free-comics-tomorrow/
http://www.girlsentertainmentnetwork.com/gens-free-comic-book-day-2009/