Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
#1
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Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
Free Comic Book Day is May 7, 2016
http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992
What is "Free Comic Book Day?"
As the name implies, Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops.
As the name implies, Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops.
#3
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
Probably the only one I'd be interested in is the Serenity book from Dark Horse.
#4
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Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
I usually hit the first store (my primary store) and grab what I want, then go to the second to get some others. Selection will vary depending on how much traffic they've been getting, I think, so my first priority is (1) books I know I want to read and (2) major publishers, figuring that the smaller companies' books won't be in as much demand.
Some stores bring in talent as well. You can read last year's thread for stories and details.
Last edited by davidh777; 03-29-16 at 11:53 AM.
#5
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
Sweet, thanks for the reminder to take vacation time.
Some go all out and have pros in for signings, free food, etc. some barely acknowledge it.
Check the past threads for some cool stories. I met Matt Wagner and John Synder at last year's.
Check the past threads for some cool stories. I met Matt Wagner and John Synder at last year's.
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
As usual I'm not that interested in the free comics but like to take advantage of going out as a store I go to on occasion (its not in town but a few hours from where I live) has an annual sale. Typically its been traditional the last few years that my friends and I go the Friday before to whatever comic related film is opening and then to Free Comic Book Day the next day but I work Friday this year so I'm not sure if we'll still be going.
#7
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Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
I'm going to be screwed this year. I'm heading out to Tampa for work that week and won't be able to hit my usual haunts. I'm going to start calling stores around Tampa to see what they have to offer. My kids will have to hit our closest store to pick up stuff I may miss.
#8
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
It depends on the store. I have two local places I hit. One restricts the number of free books to four (though they don't monitor) and also has a floppy sidewalk sale and 30% discounts on everything else in the store plus a cosplayer or two. The other store doesn't restrict freebies but only offers 10% off other stuff.
I usually hit the first store (my primary store) and grab what I want, then go to the second to get some others. Selection will vary depending on how much traffic they've been getting, I think, so my first priority is (1) books I know I want to read and (2) major publishers, figuring that the smaller companies' books won't be in as much demand.
Some stores bring in talent as well. You can read last year's thread for stories and details.
I usually hit the first store (my primary store) and grab what I want, then go to the second to get some others. Selection will vary depending on how much traffic they've been getting, I think, so my first priority is (1) books I know I want to read and (2) major publishers, figuring that the smaller companies' books won't be in as much demand.
Some stores bring in talent as well. You can read last year's thread for stories and details.
I must admit that I was not familiar with the names, but did look them up. That's cool that some stores make the day an event, and almost seem to have a mini con type atmosphere to it. Hopefully one of my local stores will do something exciting.
#9
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Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
A local shop usually does 50% off all comics on FCBD, including new issues from that week. But if you get there too late, they're really picked over.
My favorite shop brought in Scottie Young two years ago. That was pretty sweet. I got a free Rocket Raccoon sketch.
My favorite shop brought in Scottie Young two years ago. That was pretty sweet. I got a free Rocket Raccoon sketch.
#10
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
I'm going to be screwed this year. I'm heading out to Tampa for work that week and won't be able to hit my usual haunts. I'm going to start calling stores around Tampa to see what they have to offer. My kids will have to hit our closest store to pick up stuff I may miss.
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
The shop I go to gives 50% off on not only single issue comics but on trades too. Its a nice time to stock up or get some titles I may have otherwise been iffy on getting.
#15
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
I usually take my kids and read whatever they get but I will pick this one up for sure. I have a promo poster for it that his daughter signed.
#16
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Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
Thanks for the info David. I figured that some stores would have other stuff going on that day. I will have to check and see what my local stores are doing. A sale would be great, as they have a lot of books that I am interested in, but not at full price. Do all stores get the same free books? If so, I assume it is a first come first served situation and when they run out, that is it.
To my knowledge, the stores can only display this stuff on FCBD. One of my stores will often bring out stuff from previous years, which I guess is kosher. I'm surprised they'd hold onto it that long, honestly.
Yeah, I actually get more reading out of the trades I pick up than the free books. This way I can actually support my local store without paying an arm and a leg for cover price.
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
I really want to give my local store more business, I really do. I just can't justify paying $125 for a hardcover omnibus that I can get off amazon for less than $40. Extreme example, I know. But a discount of even 30% would go a long way. I am willing to pay a little more to support my local store, but I am not going to throw money away.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
I assume all stores get the same titles and don't have to request stock from a bunch of different publishers, but I can't say for sure. They do tend to have the same selection available with a few exceptions, which is why I think they get all the same stuff and demand just makes some titles go faster. If retailers were picking and choosing, they probably wouldn't even bother with some of the titles.
#21
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
Stores (and libraries maybe?) actually do have to pay for every book, so I'm guessing that not every library stocks them, especially all of them.
#22
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Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
Each store orders the Free issues they want to carry. Some stores order every single different free title, while other stores go with a much smaller selection. FCBD has different levels with only a few key issues that will be carried by every participating store.
#23
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
One shop told me their cost is basically $1 per book, though I wasn't sure if the guy meant the entire promotional budget for the day or not. Each shop has to pay some nominal fee for the issues, which is why some comic book stores really don't participate that much.
#24
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Re: Free Comic Book Day - May 7, 2016
They range from like .35¢ to $1.00 per issue depending on which company is releasing it. Bigger companies can afford to charge less while the little companies charge more. Comics Factory in Pasadena gets EVERYTHING each year but limits 10 per customer.
Maybe I should just fly back home for the day?
Maybe I should just fly back home for the day?