Comics/Graphic Novels

Your Guide to Free Comic Book Day May 6th, 2017

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is just around the corner. Are you ready to check out some new stories? Here's an overview for fans of all kinds.

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Kristina Pino

Staff Writer

Teacher, Avid Traveler, Life-long Reader, Beer Guzzler, Jigsaw Puzzle Lover, Disney Mega-fan, and other Fancy Titles can be used to describe Kristina. She spends her time blogging, tweeting, vlogging, podcasting, and making puzzles when she isn’t out having an adventure, cozied up with a book, or responding to the Bat Signal. She’s from sunny, tropical South Florida. Her life is pretty awesome right now. Blog: GeekeryDo Twitter: GeekeryDo

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It’s that time of the year again! Free Comic Book Day is just around the corner, and as always, it’s a day for all manner of comics fans, whether you’re just dipping your toes in or have been a fan for years. For fans who’ve been around, you probably already know the drill. For those who don’t or haven’t been, here are some tips:

  • Cosplay (dressing up as characters you like) is something I see often on FCBD. If you can’t, it’s cool to wear an outfit inspired by a character you love, or just a t-shirt.
  • Don’t know where your local comics shop is? There’s a handy dandy comics shop locator for that.
  • You probably guessed it already, but this is a time and place to nerd out with other fans, and possibly meet some new friends. Wear your fandom on your sleeve!
  • Ask questions. If you’re new to comics, ask someone about what’s on the display and talk to them about the kinds of stories you normally like. Almost anyone in line and any staff at the comics shop should be able to help you pick out something cool.
  • The comics are free. For real. There’s no price of entry to try something new today. Try something out of your comfort zone!
  • But also, leave comics for the rest of us. Limit your grabs to just a few things you know you’re going to read.
  • Pass it on. Again, it didn’t cost you anything, so spread the love! The whole point of FCBD is to spread the love of comics to more people.

    Armed with all you need to know about attending FCBD, here are some suggestions based on what’ll be out in the wild. But note, not all shops will have the same books. You can try calling ahead, but realistically, just be flexible.

    I Hate Image by Skottie Young looks like an absolute blast. He uses his I Hate Fairyland character, Gertrude, to explore the world of Image Comics, visiting characters from The Walking Dead, Saga (A Book Riot fave), and others. Fair warning: this book is not for kids.

    I might be sliiiightly biased in recommending The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa because I’m currently playing the game, but this is such a good story. You can see excerpts of it, along with some bits of Ocarina of Time in this FCBD release.

    I can’t recommend DC Super Hero Girls enough, and this FCBD release, like last year’s, features an excerpt from the upcoming book. This year’s release is titled Summer Olympus, in which Wonder Woman brings her pals along to visit her father Zeus during their summer vacation.

    If you or a kid you know liked the Disney Descendants book (or enjoyed the made-for-TV movie, at least), then they’ll probably enjoy this manga adaptation of the story. This FCBD release only contains the first chapter, but that’s all it takes to get wrapped up in a manga sometimes.

    Anyone remember Underdog? This all-ages book is great for nostalgic adults and enthusiastic kids alike. Last year, Pink Panther was the old school release via this publisher, and I like the direction they’re headed.

    Now, these are just my personal picks, but there are plenty of other great comics available on May 6th. You can catch Rick & Morty, Avatar (James Cameron), Guardians of the Galaxy, Riverdale (as in Archie Comics), Ninja Turtles, and Dragon Ball Super. You can check out the full catalog on the FCBD website.

    As always, the most important thing to remember: have fun!