Free Comic Book Day is a national event in which participating national
and international comics retailers give away select comics (while
supplies last) on the first Saturday in May every year.And that is only a day away.
Some local comic stores will have special guests and offer special gifts for customers. But the important thing is that most will offer free titles from Marvel (Avengers and Wolverine), DC Comics (Green Lantern Blackest Night #0 and the DC Kids Mega Sampler), Top Cow (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer preview) and others.
This list is not a comprehensive roundup of every retailer in the Long Beach or South Bay area who are participating but these are the ones I visit:
Pulp Fiction (4501 E. Carson St. Long Beach, CA., 562-496-3343)
Comic book lovers and those in need of food will benefit this Saturday.
Along with giving away a bunch of comics Pulp Fiction owner Mike Lerner will be collecting donations for the Food Bank of Southern California from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lerner said customers who make Food Bank donations will get additional free merchandise, including comics, movie passes, coffee and cup cake vouchers and other surprises. Monetary and non-perishable food donations will be accepted.
I should mention that the movie passes Pulp Fiction will give out to Food Bank donors is for a midnight showing of "Battle Royale" at the Art Theater (2025 E. 4th St. Long Beach CA. 90814, 562-438-5435). This film is not for the kids. However, for adult fans of "Battle Royale" who may want a chance to see it on a bigger screen than the one in their living rooms these tickets would be cool indeed. Visit www.pulpfictiononline.com for more information.
Geoffrey's Comics (15900 Crenshaw Blvd. Suite B Gardena, CA., 310-538-3198)
For Geoffrey's Comics FCBD starts from noon and goes to 8 p.m. In honor of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" opening this weekend they will have an appearance by Wolverine and he'll have Iron Man there just in case things get rough.
Don't worry If the free stuff goes fast (Geoff Jr. says that's not likely) Geoffrey's is selling everything except new books for 30 percent off. So if you missed any trades that you want (I know I have) then Geoffrey's is the place for you. DVDs will be 50 percent off and there will be an additional 30 percent off already discounted trades.
Enough from me, the flier can be found here.
Metropolis Comics (16509 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, CA., 562-263-0277)
Metropolis Comics will have free comics as well as signings, sketches and appearances from Joshua Fialkov (writer, "Rampaging Wolverine" and "Cyblade"), artist Brett Nance ("S.P.a.Z." and "Man-Boys") and some creators from The Antidote Trust entertainment collective and "The Wicked." The fun starts at 11 a.m.
Check out the press release for signing times.
The Comic Bug (1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA., 310-372-6704)
I spoke with The Comic Bug co-owner Mike Wellman yesterday and he mentioned so many special guests doing sketches and signings on Free Comic Book Day I could barely keep up.
I may not be able to list them all, but here are some: Writers Joshua Fialkov ("Cyblade" and "Rampaging Wolverine") and Joshua Dysart ("Unknown Soldier"), artists Scott Koblish ("Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds"), Chris Moreno ("Toy Story") and Rafael Navarro ("Gumby").
Wellman says artists Rafael Gonzalez and Jamilyn will be doing sketches for customers as well.
I am told that Joshua Dysart may have some copies of Unknown Soldier #7 to give away to certain guests. If I have not said enough about that series yet let me tell you it's darn good.
www.thecomicbug.com/index.php
Amazing Comics & Cards (5555 Stearns St. Long Beach, CA., 562-493-4427)
This is my usual haunt and I will likely drop by. Amazing will be participating in FCBD and I hear there may be a superhero or two in the house.
Comic Cult (12329 Imperial Highway, Norwalk CA., 562-868-2772)
Comic Cult will be involved in FCBD again this year and will be open their regular Saturday hours from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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