Free Comic Book Day
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Free Comic Book Day is an annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores. Brainstormed by retailer Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA in his "Big Picture" column in the August 2001 issue of Comics & Games Retailer magazine, it was started in 2002 and is coordinated by the industry's single large distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors.
Free Comic Book Day has usually been scheduled in May on the first Saturday after the release of a major theatrical film adaptation of a well known superhero property, in order to take advantage of the film's heavy promotion and related press about the comic book medium. On Free Comic Book Day, participating comic book store retailers give away specially printed copies of free comic books, and some offer cheaper back issues and other items to anyone who visits their establishments. Although retailers do not receive the issues for free, they only end up paying 12-25 cents per copy for the comics they will give away for free.
[edit] Effectiveness
Typically each major publisher produces one special edition comic geared to most likely attract new non-comic readers. There is a wide diversity of comics available, from traditional comics' fare like Archie and Disney, super-heroes from Marvel and DC, manga from Tokyopop---and great work from independent publishers, too.
The 6th annual event scheduled for May 5, 2007 features comics from 40 different publishers, including the following ten titles that will be available at all participating retailers. Archie Comics "Archie Comics Little Archie 2007", Bongo Comics "Bongo's Free for All 2007", Dark Horse Comics "Umbrella Academy Zero Killer Pantheon City 2007" (featuring the comic debut of Gerard Way of (My Chemical Romance ), DC Comics "Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century 2007", Dynamite "The Lone Ranger / New Battlestar Galactica Flip Book 2007", Gemstone's "Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse 2007", IDW's "Transformers the Movie Prequel # 1 2007" Image Comics "Astounding Wolf-Man # 1 2007", Marvel Comics "Amazing Spider-Man Swing Shift 2007", and TOKYOPOP "Choose Your Weapon 2007" (Supplies are subject to stock on hand.)
For a complete listing of all Free Comic Book Day special edition comics, visit http://FreeComicBookDay.com
In its first five years, more than 2000 retailers in more than 25 countries have given away approximately ten million Free Comic Book Day special-edition comic books. The success of the promotion rests with each participating retailer and most participants agree that FCBD has been part of a healthier comics' market and growing comic book sales over the last several years.
FCBD has garnered tremendous press coverage in all media. The first event was May 4, 2002, just a day after the opening of the first Spider-Man movie. Linking the event with movies was somewhat controversial, as some believe that it implied the comic book medium was simply a promotional arm of the film industry. However, successful FCBD events in 2005 and 2006 did not have specific date tie-ins to comics-related movie openings, proving that the event is more than capable of standing on its own.
Free Comic Book Day has three main purposes: 1) To introduce everyone to the joys of reading comics. 2) To call back former comic book readers 3) To thank current comic book buyers for their continued support.
The 6th annual Free Comic Book Day is scheduled for May 5, 2007.
Previous events:
The 5th Annual Free Comic Book Day wasMay 6, 2006.
The 4th Annual Free Comic Book Day was May 7, 2005.
The 3rd Annual Free Comic Book Day was July 3, 2004.
The 2nd Annual Free Comic Book Day was May 3, 2003.
The first Free Comic Book Day was May 4, 2002.
[edit] Related Events
In conjunction with Free Comic Book Day on May 6, 2006, TwoMorrows Publishing hosted a promotional Free Magazine Day. Visitors to their website were able to order any in-stock issue of their magazines Back Issue, Alter Ego, Draw! or Write Now! for free.
There is also Free Mini Comic Day which is an annual event dealing with publishers of minicomics. The first one is on May 5, 2007, although it is not officially tied into Free Comic Book Day in any way.
