Despite all the recent changes in the industry, the first Saturday in May remains the day when local comic shops give away select books from publishers that they purchase at a reduced price as a means to get more potential readers in the door.
Depending on which company distributes those comics, the name of the day has changed. If you’re distributed by Penguin Random House — Marvel, IDW, Dark Horse, BOOM Studios, Ignition Press, etc. — it’s Comics Giveaway Day. If you’re distributed by Lunar or Universal — DC, Image, Archie, Mad Cave, Oni Press, Vault, Titan, Udon, Dynamite, etc. — it remains Free Comic Book Day.
Why the split? Smarter websites than ours can explain the ripple effects of the Diamond Comic Distributors bankruptcy. Tell Heidi we said wussup.
Regardless, pretty much every major comics publisher will have something for you to snag Saturday. Marvel will tease major events affecting the X-Men, the Avengers, Spider-Man, Venom and two different color Hulks. DC will offer a sampler of some of its new Next Level titles, the young reader graphic novel Aquamanatee, Nice House on the Lake, etc. Image will give readers a jumping-on point into the Energon Universe, and Vault will publish a sampler chapter of its Dungeon Crawler Carl graphic novel, which I’m told the kids love. For a full accounting of what’s available, click here for Free Comic Book Day and here for Comics Giveaway Day.
(Comics: Making it easy since time immemorial.)
In honor of the day, rather than hype the books that are coming out, we at ComicsXF thought it’d be better to recommend some of our local and favorite shops, because ultimately, Free Comic Book Day is about supporting them. Get free comics, yes, but take advantage of the sales, too. Snap up some DC Compact Comics, see what #1s came out this week that you might be curious to try, or if you really want to drop some omega-level coin, treat yourself to that omnibus you’ve had your eye on. Your local shop will thank you. Because that’s how basic politeness works.
True, because of the distribution of our writers, many of these store recs are in New Jersey, but look online to see what stores are celebrating FCBD in your neck o’ the woods.
Staff Picks: FCBD comic shop edition
Scott’s pick: Big Brother Comics in Sacramento, Calif.: Website | Facebook
Tony’s pick: Black Cat Comics in Salt Lake City, Utah: Website | Facebook | Check out this FCBD chat between Tony and Black Cat owner Greg Gage over at Comicon
Matt’s pick: Dewey’s Comic City in Madison, NJ: Website | Facebook | Listen to our chat with owner John Bush on this week’s CXF Interview Podcast
Austin’s pick: Issues Needed Comics in Apple Valley, Minn.: Website | Facebook
Adam’s pick: Main Street Comics in Milltown, NJ: Website | Instagram
Dan’s pick: Neon Mermaid Comics in Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ: Website | Facebook | Check out this profile on the shop that Dan wrote for his day job
And check out these additional picks submitted by readers
Jimmy Gaspero: The Comic Book Shop in Wilmington, Del.: Website | Facebook | Listen to Jimmy on The CXF Interview Podcast talking about his book Penny and the Yeti
Asimov Fangirl: Books with Pictures in Portland, Ore.: Website | Facebook
Matt McThorn: Comic Book College in Roseville, Minn.: Facebook
Brent Corey: Elite Comics in Overland Park, Kan.: Website | Facebook
Kevin Newburn: Adventures Underground in Richland, Wash.: Website | Facebook
Hafren: Excelsior! Comics and Games in Bristol, England: Website | Facebook
Want to recommend a shop for us to add to this list? Yell at us on socials @comicsxf or email contact@comicsxf.com. It’ll help us work up a bigger list for next year!
Dan Grote is the editor and publisher of ComicsXF, having won the site by ritual combat. By day, he’s a newspaper editor, and by night, he’s … also an editor. He co-hosts The ComicsXF Interview Podcast with Matt Lazorwitz. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two kids and two miniature dachshunds, and his third, fictional son, Peter Paul Winston Wisdom. Follow him @danielpgrote.bsky.social.
