Free Comic Book Day Post-Game Report
Had an absolutely great time on Free Comic Book Day over the weekend! My kids and I hit three different shops to see what each store was doing. One shop featured face painting and a woman dressed as Wonder Woman. Another store offered face painting and extra free comics to kids dressed in costume. But I’d have to say I was most impressed with my regular shop, COSMIC CAT. Not only did they have the most diverse selection of free comics, they also had local comic creator signings, Star Wars character appearances from the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion, and original comic pages displayed as art in their gallery.
My kids get really excited about Free Comic Book Day; it’s like a national holiday to them. They talk about it for weeks leading up to the date and plan out their costume, as if it were Halloween. My four year old daughter has outgrown her Supergirl costume, so she used elements to create her own Supergirl costume. She wore the belt and cape along with a red shirt and frilly white skirt. So cute! My 10 year old step-son was very creative and pulled together his own Black Lantern costume. He decided to bring his scythe, not knowing that was Nekron’s weapon of choice – watch out Geoff Johns, this kid has you figured out! You can see him below along with some of the Star Wars characters that appeared at Cosmic Cat.
We ran into lots of old friends at the different shops and generally had a great time. Also picked up some great-looking free comics. Can’t wait to read them! See you at Free Comic Book Day 2011!
I have to say that the Rambunctious Rascal’s Black Lantern costume is pretty rad.
May 1st was also Hands On Greenville day, so I spent the morning at the Greenville YWCA. We built a walkway for the preschool kids from the building to their playground. That went from 8:30 to 12:30, and involved digging two 30 foot long trenches, lining them with 150 lbs railroad ties, and then driving 2 foot long shafts of rebar into them in order to anchor them down. From there we then filled it in with play-safe mulch.
From there I went to my shop, Borderlands to pick up my books. I also picked up this week’s new comics and in my tradition of buying a TPB on FCBD, I picked up the mega-swank The Return Of Superman collection (which is all of Reign Of The Supermen for $19.99!).
All in all a great day!
Luke – You are the man! I’ve moved railroad ties before and it’s miserable work. You’re a great guy and sounds like a great dad too!
Shag
It’s nice to know this event is taken seriously in some places. i live in Eureka, CA which has only 1 shop unless you want to drive more than 3 hours out of town to find a better one. On Free Comic Day this year he didn’t open til noon, had one tiny box near the entrance with a dozen titles of this year’s free comics and a sign saying to only take 2. When someone asked him how he was doing, his response in front of a room full of potentially money paying customers was “fine except having to deal with a 100 phone calls from people I don’t see 364 days out of the year asking if I’m doing Free Comic Book Day” I planned on spending a chunk of money that day, instead after hearing that little tirade, I bought only 1 book and left. It’s no wonder why comic shops are going the way of the dinosaur.
That sucks, Cory. Sounds like the guy doesn’t want to turn any of those 100 people he doesn’t talk to 364 days out of the year into customers. What a yutz.
I mean, I take the AA/kid-friendly books to work and put them in the breakroom with a sign that says “Hey! Free Comics!” with a little note explaining the content and where they can buy more… and I don’t have a particularly vested interest in Borderlands succeeding. I mean, I’m a loyal customer but not a stakeholder, yaknowhadImean? Yeeesh!