Since 2002, Free Comic Book Day has become a holiday of sorts in the geek community. As the name implies, each year participating comic book shops open their doors and give away free comics in order to encourage readers, both young and old, to get into the culture of comics. This year alone, fifty comics are being published and given away for this specific day — but sadly you can’t take them all home! Most stores have a limit (reasonably so) and some shops might not be getting all of them. So we here at Geeks OUT have compiled a cheat sheet of sorts to help you get the most out of your FCBD!
Most LGBT-Friendly Comics
If you’re reading this list, chances are you like something queer with your content, so of course this is the first category on our list. Because FCBD is marketed as an all-ages event, and queer culture is more often than not considered to be at least “rated T for teen,” there aren’t a lot of overtly queer books being offered. But never fear! There are a few hidden gems.
BOOM! STUDIOS SUMMER BLAST by BOOM! Studios
This summer BOOM! Studios brings its reader original peeks the new Jim Henson's Labyrinth comics, as well as new stories from Adventure Time and Lumberjanes! BOOM! is responsible for putting out a lot of all-ages content but doesn’t shy away from LGBT themes in its work, with Lumberjanes being a prime example with its inclusion of a trans character, same-sex puppy love, and a diversity of families.
DARK HORSE ALL-AGES SAMPLER by Dark Horse Comics
These new original, all ages tales, for fans of properties like The Legend of Korra, How to Train Your Dragon, and Plants vs. Zombies would certainly enjoy this sampler. How is this queer friendly you ask? Well, use it as Korrasami fodder of course!
LOVE AND ROCKETS SAMPLER by Fantagraphics Books
With Fantagraphics, announcement that Love and Rockets will be rebooted as a quarterly comic we certainly recommend picking up the sampler that will introduce the series to new readers, and reinvigorate L&R veterans. The Hernandez Brothers are iconic in the industry for their L&R universe, and it isn’t very often readers get such a non-traditional offering of FCBD.
Capes and Cowls
What is FCBD without some superhero action? The big two of course overtake this category, but with most of us recovering from Civil War this weekend, we don’t mind.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 by Marvel Comics
Being a big fan of the Sam Wilson: Captain America series, I wasn’t sure what to make of bringing back Steve Rogers (though I know all too well no one stays dead on comics forever) I’m still going to grab this issue, because at the end of the day I’m a fan of the star spangled man with a plan, no matter his name. The goal of the issue is to get readers caught up on the history of Captain America in time for Captain America: Steve Rogers #1. The issue will also feature second story teasing the Dead No More story line coming in late 2016.
SUICIDE SQUAD #1 by DC Comics
In case Captain America above didn’t fulfil you need for supplemental summer blockbuster material, the first issue of Suicide Squad is premiering on FCBD just in time for the movie. The comic features favs like Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and King Shark!
DC SUPER HERO GIRLS #1 by DC Comics
Having gotten a glimpse at the toys that come along with the comic, it’s refreshing to see DC comics aiming a title at not just a younger audience, but a younger feminine audience. DC Super Hero Girls is marketed as “an exciting new universe of superhero storytelling that builds character and confidence and empowers girls to discover their true potential.” With two stories in this comic readers get introduced to DC Super Hero High where not only are our heroines are students, but they also get age appropriate costumes!
All-Ages
Because FCBD is touted as a all-ages event most of the books are for this demographic, so hopefully this short list here will help you go for the best of the best if you only get to choose so many.
SCIENCE COMICS by First Second Books
Science Comics brings to young readers this FCBD two stories about our oceans and volcanoes that introduces these natural wonders in an action-packed, full-color display. Aimed at children of all ages and genders, this comic is unique because it’s science-nonfiction!
HILDA AND THE STONE FOREST by Nobrow Press
Entering FCBD for the first time, Nobrow Press brings to us Eisner-nominated Luke Pearson’s story of Hilda! This comic tells the story of intrepid young Hilda's first adventure in the mysterious Stone Forest. Along with other small comics, we hope to see Nobrow around next year, bringing more independent titles to showcase alongside the big two.
CAMP MIDNIGHT #1 by Image Comics
Image has been getting into the all-ages game slowly yet surely, and Camp Midnight is a blend of humor and spooky, perfect for young readers who should not be reading some of Image’s more horror-laden comics. “Not wanting to please her ‘step monster,’ reluctant Skye is dead-set on not fitting in. But when she's accidentally sent to the wrong summer camp — Camp Midnight, where everyone attending is a full-fledged monster — Skye realizes that not fitting in will be the very least of her challenges!”
Hidden Gems
Between all the superheroes and kid comics there are some truly hidden gems in the piles of comics that you might over look, but don’t! Grab these for a taste of something new that you might not have originally gone for.
ONE PUNCH MAN/MY HERO ACADEMIA by Viz Media
More and more manga is making its way into FCBD, a great addition, in our opinion, because it shows the depth and variety of sequential art around the world. One Punch Man, as the name describes, is about a man, Saitama, who can defeat any opponent with just one punch. While most people would find this power to be a wonderful thing, Saitama is dismayed that he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on. This sample too features an excerpt from the Hero Academy, which puts to readers the question, “what would the world be like if 80% of the population manifested superpowers?” and what would happen to the other 20%?
MARCH TRILOGY SAMPLER by IDW Publishing / Top Shelf
With the final book in the March Trilogy coming out summer 2016, Top Shelf is bringing FCBD readers excerpts from all three book. March follows the life of John Lewis, starting from his humble beginnings in Alabama to the March on Washington where he became a national leader of the civil rights movement. Being from Washington, DC myself, this comic is of particular interest to me, but with the current political climate this FCBD offering could not be coming out at a better time.
MOONCOP: A TOM GAULD SAMPLER by Drawn and Quarterly
Mooncop, a graphic novel coming out from Drawn and Quarterly, details the deadpan day-to-day adventures of the last policeman on the colonized moon. The creator, Tom Gauld, is regularly featured in the Guardian, New York Times and the New Yorker, and this kind of humor and art is rarely seen at FCBD events so we suggest you pick up this diamond in the rough.
Introductions
FCBD is a great way to introduce reader new and experienced to the world of comics, and these three are the best to get your introduced to an ongoing series or something just about to start so you can jump in!
ARCHIE #1 by Archie Comics
For anyone who missed out on the first issue of the Archie reboot, FBBD is giving you the chance to get in on the newly imagined Riverdale by comic superstars Mark Waid and Fiona Staples, with a reprint of issue one! This series is currently on issue seven, but this reintroduction will give new readers a chance to preview the series without having to put cash on the table. But if you like issue one, most comic book stores will have the first trade in stock!
CON MAN’S SPECTRUM by Automatic Pictures Publishing
As a supplement to the web series Con Man! by Firefly stars Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion, comes the first issue of the Spectrum, a comic based on the faux-TV series Tudyk and Fillion star in on Con Man! With four issues coming out in total, this FCBD offering isn’t just a sampler but the actual first issue — a great tie-in for fans of Firefly and Con Man! alike.
AVENGERS #1 by Marvel Comics
Discussion surrounding this Marvel event has brought out some rather mixed feelings at LCS around the country. Marvel is giving us a preview of the first issue of Civil War II, which pits Iron Patriot against Captain Marvel, but that isn’t all! What many people are looking forward to in this FCBD sampler is the introduction of All-New Wasp, another badass feminine superhero to add to Marvel’s ever growing roster of femme-badasses!
One More Thing Before You Go…
Many people believe that the comics the comic shops give away are given free to retailers. They aren’t. Retailers have to buy these books in advance. Your local comic shop not only buys these comics, but pay the costs for shipping, extra employees, guests that come in, etc. It’s a huge expense, but Free Comic Book Day is the industry's love letter to their fans. But this kind of love, like most kinds of love, is a two-way street.
What should you do then? Well, attend of course, but also buy something from that store. The latest run of Spider-Man you’ve been wanting? Grab the trade! Your friend’s birthday is coming up? Buy them a gift! Most local comic shops are community centers and the best way to keep your community growing is by putting into it as much as you get out of it!
