Free Comic Book Day!

Today is Free Comic Book Day, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a day when you can get free comic books. In order to reach out to people who don't rush to their comic book store every Wednesday when the week's new titles come in, the comic book industry has set aside an annual day to just give stuff away. Several companies have one comic book that they're showcasing, and they sell it dirt cheap to the stores, cheap enough that the retailers can give it away to draw people in. This year it looks like you'll be able to get Star Wars, the Simpsons, Batman, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Betty & Veronica, G.I. Joe, and other characters or series. You can find out more about the event at freecomicbookday.com. If you're not sure where the closest comic book store to you is, check out The Comic Shop Locator and type in your zip code. Not every store is participating, but if you find one that's not, don't worry. You didn't want to give them your business anyway, because they're idiots. For many stores, this is a big deal, and they may be offering their own specials in addition to the various company titles or featuring guest artists or writers for signings.

So go to a comics store, avail yourself of the free titles that look interesting to you, and browse for something real to buy to support your friendly neighborhood retailer. Had I not been distracted by my own deadline woes described elsewhere, this wouldn't have snuck up on me, and I'd have had some suggestions. In lieu of specifics, let me mention some general names of who you might look for. You can't go wrong with work by Art Spiegelman, Chris Ware, Dan Clowes, Seth, Alan Moore, and Joe Sacco, for starters. If you liked Sin City, pick up something from Frank Miller. Comics readers will immediately recognize these names as the usual suspects, and it barely scratches the surface of what's worthwhile, so take a look around the shop yourself for what else catches your eye.