This year, Free Comic Book Day will be observed on May 6. Iconic publishers such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and Dark Horse Comics, along with others, join forces to distribute free comics to over 2,300 stores across the nation. It’s evidence that dreams can come true!
Free Coming Book Day is an annual promotion sponsored by the North American Comic Book industry to help attract new readers and fans into comic book stores.
The day was established in 2002 and is still supported by Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest distributor in the comic book industry. The fact that this day spread to Europe, Asia, and Australia is intriguing.
Free Comic Book Day 2021 will be observed on August 14th, 2021.
The background of Free Comic Book Day
In 2001, Joe Field of Flying Colours Comics in Concord, California observed a correlation between an increase in comic book sales and the release of a new superhero film in early summer. In the August issue of Comics & Games Retailer Magazine, Field wrote a column titled “Big Picture.” In this column, he proposed initiating a Free Comic Book Day, which was met with favourable feedback from retailers. Jim Valentino, the then-publisher of Image Comics, proposed holding the first Free Comic Book Day on the same weekend as the release of the 2002 Spider-Man film, in order to capitalise on the film’s heavy promotion and related press about the comic book medium. As a result, the first event was held on Saturday, May 4, 2002, one day after the film’s release. July 2004 was the only month in which the event was not held on the first Saturday of May, but it was relocated back to that date the following year.
On complimentary Comic Book Day, participating comic book stores distribute complimentary copies of specially printed comics. Some even offer discounts and author signings to customers who visit their establishments. However, retailers do not obtain the issues for free; they pay between 12 and 50 cents per comic they distribute at the event. Some stores also give away micro posters and other movie-related memorabilia, in addition to comic books. The promotion’s effectiveness depends on each participating retailer. The majority of participants concur that Free Comic Book Day has contributed to a healthier comics market and rising comic book sales in recent years.
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FREE COMIC BOOK DAY EVENTS
Locate your local retailer here.
More than 2,300 comic book stores participate annually in the event. You will almost certainly make new acquaintances (real and imagined). And you will leave with a complimentary comic book!
Browse prior to departure
Some larger bookstores have an online database that displays Free Comic Book Day comics, along with summaries and sample pages for each. It is a great method to determine what you want in advance.
Explore costuming
It’s hard to imagine a better moment or place to show off your Halloween costume, given that Halloween is still six months away. Consider it an enjoyable and secure environment for trying something new.
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 7 | Saturday |
| 2023 | May 6 | Saturday |
| 2024 | May 4 | Saturday |
| 2025 | May 3 | Saturday |
