Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day

Jet_Jaguar · Post by **Jet_Jaguar** » Sat May 02, 2009 20:53 -0700

I just paid a second visit to one of the participating stores in my area just before closing time (it's actually not a comic book store per se, it's a chain book/movie/music store with a few comics), and they let me have all of their remaining copies of the Dark Horse FCBD issue (I feel like I gave other people a fair shot at them, and there didn't seem to be very many takers anyway. It seemed a shame to just let them go into the trash when there are people out there who wanted them). I have six copies that I can mail to the first six people who sent me an instant message (as long I don't have to spend a ridiculous amount to have them mailed to the other side of the planet or anything like that). I also have an extra copy of the Bongo Simpsons/Futurama comic if anyone wants it. (Would sending it in a manila envelope with a comic book board be enough to keep it from getting mangled in the mail?)

I picked up a copy of the Atomic Robo comic, but I haven't read it yet. I think I remember seeing the writer and artist at one of the tables at the Staple! con in Austin where I saw Stan back in march (maybe it was just some people from the publisher. I'm not sure). Usually, I like anything with the word "Robo" in the title, particularly if its the anime series Giant Robo, which is one of my favorites.

Deathstroke · Post by **Deathstroke** » Sun May 03, 2009 6:31 -0700

For some reason I didn't know about the Usagi story. I didn't get it and now I'll have to find one.

As for my day:

What I Did on My Summer Vac...errr I mean... Free Comic Book Day.

Well this is the first year in the last 6 where I didn't work at my local comic shop on FCBD. But I have a good excuse, really! My local comic shop doesn't exist anymore.

So I toddled off in the car this afternoon on my little trip du jour.

I first went to Temptations Comics in New Bedford, MA. It doubles as a guitar shop and there wasn't really all that much going on in the shop when I got there. I think there were three people in the entire store not counting the two employees, one of whom was giving a guitar lesson at the same time.

At first I didn't even see any of the FCBD books. Turns out they were all in a little shortbox on a stool. It didn't seem like there was much of an effort to drum up some interest in the event here.

A huge helping of back issues made the trip interesting enough. I only bought one bagged and boarded back issue because I didn't have the time to go through the 50 plus long boxes.

I would've liked to have seen more effort put into the event here.

My Temptations Comics Haul:

FCBD books (The World Of Cars and Archie, both of which will be sent to my niece and the Oni Press book Resurrection for me)

Doctor Strange Sorcerer Supreme #9
Action Comics #871 (for my co-worker)
Total cost: $2.00

I stopped down the street from Temptations at New England Comics. The store is well laid out and is chock full of various merchandise (comics, trades, shirts, toys etc.) I got their around 1 pm so the availability was either down because of everyone else (and the store was full of people when I walked in) or they just didn't order many of the non Gold Sponsor books.

They were running a good sale too (50% off all non-new comics, 20% off trades and some other discounts as well).

I would be interested to know what was available at the beginning of the day but overall despite my short stay at the store, it looked like people were very happy. Oh and when I was going into the store...Mickey Mouse was out front waving to the passing traffic! YAAY MICKEY!!!

The staff was very helpful so far as I could see. The guy ringing me up made sure I got the Transformers/GI Joe book after taking note of my purchases.

My New England Comics Haul:

FCBD Books (Bongo Comics, Sonic The Hedgehog which will be sent to my niece, Transformers/GI Joe which will end up being sent as a bonus with the next comic auction I sell on eBay)

IDW's G.I. Joe #1-3.
Total Cost $6.00

My final stop was my "NEW" local comic shop, Over The Edge Comics in Fairhaven, MA. This was the store that I went to when my original shop closed.

And wow was it a good day to be going to that shop. They had ALL of the FCBD books laid out on one table while some gaming was going on at another table. One of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies was on the TV screen.

The sales featured 75% off certain trades, 40% off other trades, back issues had 4 different greatly reduced price points by cost. The store employees were very helpful explaining everything when I walked in, had a nice conversation about the Wolverine movie (good but a great film). I ended up being there for about an hour or so.

I'm hoping they have leftovers of the kid friendly FCBD books, because I offer to buy them so I can give them out on Halloween. I also took advantage of the back issue sale.

All in All, this was the most fun of my three stops.

My Over The Edge Comics Haul:

FCBD Books (Bluewater's William Shatner book for a co-worker, Owly for my niece as well as Love and Capes and FCHS for me.

Terra miniseries #1-4
IDW's G.I. Joe #4
Vigilante #1 -5
Daredevil Volume 1 #83
Total cost $7.00

So for three and a half hours and a grand total of $15 bucks (not including lunch), I got to experience another successful Free Comic Book Day, get some new material for both myself and to send to my niece and grab up some extra reading at far below cost.

Thanks to FCBD, I discovered Amelia Rules! and a few other titles as well. I may not be the targeted new to comics reader but I think anything that sells more books whether to a new reader or an established one can only be a positive.

Gaffey · Post by **Gaffey** » Sun May 03, 2009 11:55 -0700

How long is the Usagi Story? If it's not too long would someone consider posting it here on the DojoBoard?

My local comic shop is remodeling so they weren't even open for Free Comic Book Day.

Deathstroke wrote:Owly for my niece

Is it really for your niece?

It's a cute book.

Deathstroke · Post by **Deathstroke** » Sun May 03, 2009 14:20 -0700

Gaffey wrote:
Deathstroke wrote:Owly for my niece
Is it really for your niece? It's a cute book.

I read it before sending it down, but yes all the kid friendly comics that I pick up on the actual FCBD I send down to her afterwards.

Jet_Jaguar · Post by **Jet_Jaguar** » Sun May 03, 2009 20:28 -0700

I've only had two requests for my extra copies of the DH FCBD issue so far. I have four left for anyone who wants them.

SHIZEN · Post by **SHIZEN** » Mon May 04, 2009 1:49 -0700

you can still buy some of the fcbd comics at ruppsworld
i got my issues from graham crackers comics.

Gen San · Post by **Gen San** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:05 -0700

I've picked up my 'free' comics via ebay. Much as I'd have liked to pick these up in a comic shop, working in London all week leaves me not very inclined to hit the capital on a Saturday?

What shop do you frequent, Mayhem?

Mayhem wrote:Shops here were running a one comic per person rule (that's one of a particular issue, not one in total) but I persuaded the guys to let me take three of the DH issue and three of the TMNT. So I will be running a sweepstake post for Europeans unable to get them in due course...

As for the Usagi story itself, very nice, short and sweet, bit similar to something done before but then again different. Oh and I loved Usagi's reaction to... well, you'll see. Something he's seen so many other people do before...

Post by **Mayhem** » Mon May 04, 2009 12:44 -0700

There's a shop in Croydon which is a few miles from me called "A Place In Space"; they also do eBay sales. Croydon also has a Forbidden Planet. There is also a shop over in Richmond called "They Walk Among Us". So I have three places reasonably close by to get to as need be. Or I order online from them

Gen San · Post by **Gen San** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:34 -0700

I know 'A Place in Space', or at least tend to get my ebay comics through them.

Is 'They Walk Among Us' a quite old shop; seem to remember the name from years ago.

Gallennon · Post by **Gallennon** » Tue May 05, 2009 22:23 -0700

I love to have been a part of this. All our shop did was the usual 25% off sale. Yet I was able to get a new printing of Usagi book 1, read it in two nights, Now I am hunting down book 2. I also got that day a copy of Matt Wagner's Grendel/Batman

Ok, edited, it is late I misread. God I am an idiot. Still that is awesome. wish I was their to get a signed book.

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Tue May 05, 2009 22:36 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:I'm signing at the Comics Factory in Pasadena.

Took a moment to figure out what you were talking about....

Gallennon · Post by **Gallennon** » Tue May 05, 2009 22:49 -0700

Yhea, I am an idiot. But I am sure Mr. Saki has a great singing voice too Xp

Like I just posted in the edit, tired and also the outcome of dealing with theater folk for the past few days.

Post by **Steve Hubbell** » Tue May 05, 2009 23:40 -0700

I actually looked back through the last few messages to see if someone else had mentioned something about someone singing in one of the shops, since the last few were talking about shops in the UK (and everyone knows how much those English people like to sing!).

Do you thing that maybe the next person who does a podcast interview with Stan Sakai could get him to sing something for all of us?

Oh yeah, I forgot to say "Welcome to the Usagi Dojo!"

Jet_Jaguar · Post by **Jet_Jaguar** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:12 -0700

I just promised to send out two of my three remaining copies, so I only have one left to give out. The first person to send me a PM gets it. I still also have that extra copy of the Bongo Simpsons/Futurama comic if anyone wants it.

Gallennon · Post by **Gallennon** » Wed May 06, 2009 13:57 -0700

Thanks, Steve. I feel sort of embarrassed to say I have know of Mr. Sakai's work and Usagi for a while, but never read the comics till this week, after FCBD. No it did not take 25% off cover price to get me to read, just took the store actually having two copies of the first novel at 25% off cover price Xp. But like I said I tore that book up in two nights and just ordered from my day job the second book. Also asked to have the new issues put in my box at the comic shop.

Mr. Sekai through Usagi very much reminds me of Osamu Tezuka, with his in depth and very well thought out story which are at times touching while light hearted in humor.

I look forward to lurking here and joining in in the fun. Thanks for having me.

Though don't encourage him to sing man! If he discovered he is awesome at that, we may never see another comic again, because he would be on tour with some opera or rock band.

BTW did anyone else find DC Comics stunt with FCBD kind of awesome, the special free comic tie in to the up coming Blackest Night story? Now that is what I am talking about, give the fans not just some comic laying around that means nothing to the rest the universe, give us something that does tie in. I just find this cool. Seems Savage Dragon did this as well this year.[/i]