Free For All
It’s not very often that you’ll come across an industry wide promotion, and even less likely that you’ll get something for free, but that’s just what Free Comic Book Day is. Every year on the first Saturday in May the masses flock to their local comic to choose from a few select issues provided by the various publishers (Marvel, DC, Boom, Image, etc.). It’s something unseen in any other industry, and provides a great entry point for newcomers in the comic universe. Most of the free comics are either issue #1 or 0 so those who attend don’t have to worry about copious amounts of backlog (as is frequently the case). Ian Walker and I decided to tag-team this article and provide different perspectives on what we think of Free Comic Book Day and what other industries can learn from it.
Ian: For me, comics have always been an entertainment medium just out of reach. While I was always a fan of self-contained narratives like Watchmen or Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, the caped adventures were daunting mountains I hoped to one day climb. Of course I was familiar with the more famous heroes, but the sheer amount of back story and expanded universes boggled my mind every time I would try to dive in. Luckily for me, Free Comic Book Day changed all of that. When I first heard about the special event, it immediately grabbed my attention. A free introduction into something I’ve always had interest in? Count me in. Early Saturday afternoon I grabbed a friend of mine that was also interested, hopped in the car, and drove downtown to our local comic book shop. Being completely new made me nervous at first, but I was soon dragged deep into the abyss of comic overload.
Which is definitely not a bad thing.
Free Comic Book Day is all about new beginnings, much like the various reboots and resurrections you’ll find in their pages. Even if your knowledge on the subject is as limited as mine, you’ll find something you are interested in. The comics available on FCBD are also extremely varied, ranging from the standard superhero in a cape to other lesser known fare such as slice-of-life humor and wild west supernatural shootouts. Now, just three days after attending my first FCBD, I’m hooked. Because of the free comics, I found a couple of series I really enjoyed and plan on heading down to the same comic shop today to grab some of the new issues. And, more importantly, Free Comic Book Day managed to turn two more casual observers into avid readers who will be for some time.
Michael: A few years ago the comic industry was on the decline and many people were unsure if it would survive. However it’s usually at times like this when some of the greatest ideas are born, and thus in 2002, Free Comic Book Day was launched. FCBD is always on the first Saturday in May, and usually ties in with a major movie adaptation of a comic book. For instance, last year FCBD was the day after X-Men Origins: Wolverine was released and this year it was just before Iron Man 2 released. Excited by the hype of the movie, many consumers are drawn into the store because in all honesty, who doesn’t love free stuff?
However, FCBD isn’t just about getting a free comic, it’s also about exposing yourself to new things. Sometimes you end up really enjoying one of your free issues and thus continue to read the series. Many stores also offer sales such as discounted back issues or savings on Trade Paperback volumes. What’s great about Free Comic Book Day is its ability to breathe new life into the industry. By providing a few free issues publishers are able to expand their grasp and reach new readers who can suddenly become die-hard fans.
Ian: As we look into the future of comics and comic book shops, an few interesting topics are raised. How long can physical copies continue to be made in a world that’s constantly shifting to paper-less media? Will big name companies such as Marvel or DC have to shift their focus to think more digitally, or will hardcore collectors be enough to keep physical copies on the market? Although I’m extremely new to the scene, there’s a slight sense of satisfaction that comes with having a tangible copy of something, whether it be a video game, book, or graphic novel, that is very hard to match with digital downloading. But on the other hand, using devices like the iPad offer a much more efficient and easier alternative to storing and transporting comics with you. Ultimately, that’s up to the consumers to decide with the way they spend their money.
Michael: As Ian mentioned, while other paper-based mediums are dying, the comic book industry is actually regaining popularity. Over the past few years it has consistently proven to innovative and try new things, and with the launch of the iPad comic books seem to be finding an even larger audience than it has seen in recent years. While I think that digital comics are a great idea, I for one would still like to have physical copies of my comics. Perhaps in the next couple of years we will see the creation of digital download codes included with each issue purchased (similar to a digital copy of a movie when purchased on Blu-ray). The future of the comic industry is unknown, but with many new ways to reach consumers the only logical way to go is up, up and away!
In case you missed Free Comic Book Day we have compiled a list of a few comics you might be interested in. Please note all comics listed below are also linked to provide more information.
