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Free Comic Book Day

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Template:Good article Template:Redirect Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox recurring event

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is an annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry to attract new readers to independent comic book stores. It usually takes place on the first Saturday of May and has historically been cross-promoted with the release of a superhero film. Over two thousand participating stores give away millions of comic books annually. The event was proposed by Joe Field in the August 2001 issue of Comics & Games Retailer magazine and Free Comic Book Day was launched in 2002, coordinated by the industry's single large distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors. FCBD has become an official Children's Book Week event and has inspired similar events for German- and Dutch-language comics industries. The twenty-second edition of FCBD was held on May 4, 2024.

Organization

FCBD is organized and facilitated by Diamond Comics Distributors, guided by a committee representing publishers, industry journalists, retailers, and its own management.[1] This committee selects the titles from publishers with the aim of providing a wide variety of what the industry has to offer.[2] The committee also investigates potential dates for the event which are then decided upon by a vote among retailers.[3]

Publishers subsidize the production of the give-away comic books and retailers pay a reduced price for the books that they order. Titles are divided by sponsorship level, price, age rating, and anticipated demand into two tiers; participating retailers are required to carry all titles from the top tier, and may carry any or none of the second-tier titles. In 2007, the costs to the retailer were 12 to 24 cents per copy for the top tier and as high as 50 cents for the second tier.[4] The minimum buy-in is about Template:USD.[5]

History

Free Comic Book Day was conceived by Joe Field, a California-based comics retailer, event promoter and partner in WonderCon.[6] In 2001, Field noted how successful feature films based on comic book franchises were providing the comic book industry with a positive cultural and financial turnaround from the speculator bust of the mid-1990s.[6][7] Inspired by Free Scoop Night at the Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlor next to his store, Field proposed Free Comic Book Day in his August 2001 "Big Picture" column in Comics & Games Retailer magazine.[6][5] The column received positive reaction and Image Comics co-founder Jim Valentino suggested having the first FCBD coincide with the opening weekend of the 2002 Spider-Man feature film, in order to take advantage of the film's heavy promotion and related press about the comic book medium.[6][8] The first event was held May 4, 2002, the day after the film's opening, and its first four free comic books were Marvel Comics' Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (a reprint of its issue published in 2000), Dark Horse Comics' one-shot Star Wars Tales: A Jedi's Weapon, Image Comics/Top Cow Productions' one-shot Tomb Raider #Template:Frac and the first issue of DC Comics' Justice League Adventures comic book (based on the Justice League animated television series).[6][9][10][11] The event has usually been held on the first Saturday in May, and is often cross-promoted with the release of the first big-budget superhero film of the summer.[12]

According to Diamond Comic Distributors, over 2,000 stores participated in the inaugural Free Comic Book Day and gave away more than 2 million comic books[13] from 4 publishers.[14] The following year, 29 publishers participated.[13] FCBD 2012 exceeded one million attendees, with over 3.5 million comics given away.[6][15] In 2015, 2,340 retailers ordered 5.6 million comic books to give away.[16]

An Asian man in a black hat and T-shirt poses with a comic book.
Artist Jim Lee holds a signed FCBD edition of The New 52 at Midtown Comics in Manhattan.

While giving out free comic books on FCBD, participating retailers often run additional promotions. This can include sales on selected merchandise, creator signings, prize raffles, cosplay contests, charity drives, karaoke,[17] and art exhibitions.[18] The event quickly grew to become a major celebration of comic book culture[19] and fan clubs may volunteer to support local stores and help manage the crowds of people attracted to the event. Cosplayers may be enlisted to entertain the lines outside the stores and pose for photos.[17]

Among some retailers, FCBD has been more grandly organized. An FCBD "shop hop" cross-promotion in London, Ontario, Canada, encourages people to visit five downtown comic shops for entry into a prize draw, and has evolved into a street festival. Cosplayers parade along the street, which is chalked with murals, and many other businesses along the route cater to the theme.[19][20][21] Mesa, Arizona, and Portsmouth, England, have each expanded FCBD into a two-day comics convention.[22][23]

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of FCBD 2020.[24] Alt Free Comic Days was held online on that weekend, streaming panel discussions with comics creators and artists.[25] In mid-June, Diamond Comics announced that the planned titles would be released weekly as Free Comic Book Summer from July 15 to September 9.[26][27][28] In 2021, FCBD was held on August 14, when COVID-19 restrictions had eased somewhat.[21] That year's event was received as a big day for fans in the absence of comic book conventions and other major gatherings.[28][29] However, delays in shipping led to the event being postponed for overseas retailers.[30] From the twentieth anniversary edition of the event, held May 7, 2022,[31][32][33][12] FCBD returned to the first Saturday in May.

Events

No. Date Associated film
1 May 4, 2002 Spider-Man[6][9]
2 May 3, 2003 X2[13]
3 Jul 3, 2004 Spider-Man 2[34]
4 May 7, 2005 none[9]
5 May 6, 2006 none[35]
6 May 5, 2007 Spider-Man 3[36]
7 May 3, 2008 Iron Man[37]
8 May 2, 2009 X-Men Origins: Wolverine[8]
9 May 1, 2010 Iron Man 2[38]
10 May 7, 2011 Thor[39]
11 May 5, 2012 The Avengers[40]
12 May 4, 2013 Iron Man 3[9]
13 May 3, 2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2[17]
14 May 2, 2015 Avengers: Age of Ultron[16][41]
15 May 7, 2016 Captain America: Civil War[42]
16 May 6, 2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2[18]
17 May 5, 2018 VenomTemplate:Refn
18 May 4, 2019 noneTemplate:Refn
FCB Summer Jul 15 – Sep 9, 2020Template:Refn noneTemplate:Refn
19 Aug 14, 2021[43] noneTemplate:Refn
20 May 7, 2022 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness[12]
21 May 6, 2023[44] Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3[45]
22 May 4, 2024[46] noneTemplate:Refn

Products

A woman dressed as Wonder Woman reclines on a red sofa with a red comic book.
A Wonder Woman cosplayer reads a FCBD edition of Graphic Elvis by independent publisher Liquid Comics.

The goal of the promotion is to showcase the breadth of the comics industry by putting comic books in the hands of people who might not otherwise read comics, or comic readers who might not otherwise read those titles.[35] At least 50 titles were available on FCBD each year from 2014 to 2018.[47][16][48][18] Most of the FCBD comic books are produced specifically for the promotion, and can become collector items.[9][17] On some occasions, retailers have partnered with publishers to make custom covers exclusive to their stores.[17][18]

Most books are complete 32-page single-issue stories serving as an introduction point for newcomers. These may be in the form of a "zero issue"Template:Efn prelude to a new story arc.[8][38] There have also been flip-books with two separate stories, or samplers with a number of short pieces.[17][36] Non-fiction titles have included collectors' guides, art books, biographies of prominent creators, and histories of the comics industry.[47] For 2020, age ratings were added to identify all-ages, teen, and mature content.[49] Stores may also be provided with posters or other merchandise to give away in cross-promotions with associated films.[50]

Reception

The first Free Comic Book Day (and organizer Joe Field) was given a Lulu of the Year award in 2003 by Friends of Lulu, an organization dedicated to increasing the participation of girls and women in the comics industry.[51]

According to organizers, in the 2010s each year's event brought about one million people to comic shops[6] and gave away about five million comics.[52] Marc Nix of IGN called FCBD a "wonderful comic nerd holiday"[35] and F. Andrew Taylor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal said it was like "a combination of Christmas, Halloween and Burning Man" to fans.[17] Scott Thill of Wired wrote that "Free culture has rarely paid off so handsomely, for fans or publishers."[8] Diamond Comics reported that media coverage of the 2014 event was equivalent to $3.2 million in publicity.[53]

There have been criticisms of the focus on the event, questioning whether centering promotions at comic book shops is the best way to reach new comic book readers.[5] Other criticisms center around the selection of titles and their cost to retailers. Many retailers only order the titles they know are marketable at their stores,[5][4] and are reluctant to invest in promoting titles they cannot sell for the rest of the year. This results in the promotion of the same titles that customers are already reading instead of exposing them to new titles.[4] The number of titles has also caused concern for some retail staff and journalists, who find it challenging to gain familiarity with all 50 to 60 titles to make recommendations.[4][47]

Related events

A crowd queues outside a comics shop and around tables.
2011 FCBD at Nexus Comics in Iceland

Template:Interlanguage link was launched in 2010 and is held in comics shops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland on the Saturday following FCBD. Nearly 20 publishers participate, with about 35 titles offered for free.[9][48][54][55][56][57]

The Netherlands and Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) have also observed Free Comic Book Day, beginning on May 5, 2012.[48][58]

Halloween ComicFest is an annual promotion launched by Diamond Comics in 2012, held roughly six months from FCBD on the Saturday before Halloween,[59] promoting titles themed to that holiday.[60][61][62] Each year there are about 20 full-sized free titles and another 10 mini-comics[59][63] which can be purchased in packs for trick-or-treaters.[64][65] In 2016, about 2 million comics were given away by 1,900 shops.[66] Costume contests are held by some retailers,[60][63] and online via the event's website.[63][67]

Local Comic Shop Day (LCSD) is an annual promotion begun in 2015[68] by North American trade association ComicsPRO,[69][70] and held annually in late November.[71] Approximately 20 LCSD special edition comic books are offered each year, with retailers often having Black Friday discounts on merchandise.[68][69][70] This event has been compared to FCBD[70] and Record Store Day.[71]

Children's Book Week (CBW), organized by American non-profit Every Child a Reader, was moved to May in 2008.[72] FCBD was named as an official CBW event, launching Children's Book Week, and the two organizations partner in promoting child literacy. In 2015, FCBD carried the literacy guide Raising A Reader! How Comics & Graphic Novels Can Help Your Kids Love to Read! among its free titles.[73]

Inspired by Free Comic Book Day, the pen-and-paper roleplaying game industry started Free RPG Day on June 15, 2007.[74][75] It is a moveable event held on the third Saturday in June.

See also

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Notes

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References

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External links

  1. ↑ Template:Cite web
  2. ↑ Template:Cite web
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBR2005
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Freeforwhom
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Loudpoet
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Founder interview
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBGXtra
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Wolverine FCBD
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Inquirer
  10. ↑ Template:Cite web
  11. ↑ Template:Cite news
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GRadar2022
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBR2003date
  14. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Today2013
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BCinterview
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FCBD2015orders
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LVRJ
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Cleveland2017
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LFP2018
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Escapist2014
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBC2021
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ACME 2018 BC
  23. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Portsmouth 2018 BC
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IGN2021
  25. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NewsaramaCovidAlt
  26. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ArvedonCovid
  27. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FreeComicBookSummer-CBR
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named USAToday2021
  29. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Global2021
  30. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bleeding2021Europe
  31. ↑ Template:Cite web
  32. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Popin2022date
  33. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Popin2022titles
  34. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBR2004date
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IGN2006guide
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Marvel2007date
  37. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Wired2008date
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Wired2010date
  39. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBD2011date
  40. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Yahoo2012date
  41. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FCBD2015date
  42. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FCBD2016gold
  43. ↑ Template:Cite web
  44. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Windsor2023
  45. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GRadar2023
  46. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBS2024date
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NPR2014
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Vine
  49. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FCBDageratings
  50. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FCBDVenom
  51. ↑ Template:Cite web
  52. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Global2019
  53. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DiamondMedia
  54. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GCT2013
  55. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CB2018de
  56. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GCT2019
  57. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBDTag2022
  58. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Dutch2013
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBC2014Halloween
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named USATodayHalloween
  61. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Nerdspan2016Halloween
  62. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WGTC2017Halloween
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Cleveland2016Halloween
  64. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Flickm2018Halloween
  65. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named HR2018Halloween
  66. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EW2016Halloween
  67. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Houston2018Halloween
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBeat2018Local
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Oklahoman2021LCSD
  70. ↑ 70.0 70.1 70.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Gradar2021Local
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Gradar2022Local
  72. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Everychild
  73. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named CBLDF
  74. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Fletcher2013RPG
  75. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Meeple
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