Saturday May 5th is Free Comic Book Day. This is just as it sounds, Xmas for comic book fans and a great way for people who are just “comic curious” to test the waters.
Various publishers are giving away up to 28 titles to anyone who walks into participating shops. It’s that simple. In Glasgow, Forbidden Planet are doing it, as are Red Hot Comics, who are based somewhat inconveniently in Castlemilk.
Of the two stores, Red Hot is by far the best, but as I said, it’s slap bang in the middle of serious bandit country.
So, If you’re just out and about, pretty much your only option is to get to Forbidden Planet and snap up some free shit.
There are some amazing things on offer from big publishers like Marvel and DC to loads of small press stuff covering slice of life tales to fantasy to Manga. I’m excited to say that the first "new" (it's actually reprinting stuff never before collected) Peanuts comic for 42 years is also part of the promotion.
Yes, this is a simple marketing ploy – the participants want you to buy comics from their store. They want to get you hooked on the crack that is regular monthly titles.
But you’ll get your free stuff even if you don’t buy a book. You should, but you don’t have to. So there’s no way to lose.
If you have kids, get them some free comics! And if you just fancy a look at the most immediate, most flexible and most creative medium on the planet, have a look for yourself.
Free comics!
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UPDATE
Tom's just been online and has found that Forbidden Planet are offering packs of Free Comic Book Day books to their online customers dependent on how much they spend, so there may be some kind of catch to what's on offer when you visit.
As I understand it, that's not in the spirit of the day, but I guess individual retailers have the right to use the tool whichever way they want.
I would say if they make you buy something to get a free book, don't bother. I mean, how are new readers going to come to the medium and to people's stores if you have to want to be in the store to buy something in the first place?
Doesn't make much sense to me.
"Hey! Would you like a free comic book designed to get you interested in the wonders of comics?"
"Ok"
"Fine, just buy a comic book then."
"But I'm not really interested in comics yet and don't know what to buy."
"No free book for you then!"
For me, thats just giving away stuff to existing customers isn't it? I've nothing against that, nothing wrong with rewarding loyalty, but where are the new readers in this equation?
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