Free Comic Book Day 2009!!!!

[gabeja]

Sure do hope there isn't a thread about this yet. What I'm most looking forward to is the avengers issue and the blackest night one shot. Also, Tim Sales signing at a shop near me!

[miyamotofreak]

I am picking up
Resurrection #0 (I also ordered the $6 trade to go along with it)
Savage Dragon #148 (my pick of litter)
Blackest Night Prelude
Avengers (I'm not really too eager on this one but hey maybe it'll get me more into Marvel U)

[optimus187prime]

Yeah this seems like a good one. I like the original comics just for fcbd, its a good idea to draw current readers.

[miyamotofreak]

Yeah if anyone has a good suggestion for another comic please share...

[gabeja]

Is that savage dragon just a normal issue for free???!!! thats awesome! BTW, anyone know the origins of FCBD?

[cadgers]

I BTW, anyone know the origins of FCBD?

Brainstormed by retailer Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics in Concord CA in his "Big Picture" column in the August 2001 issue of Comics & Games Retailer magazine, it was started in 2002 and is coordinated by the industry's single large distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCBD

[thenextchampion]

I'm going to get:

Blackest Night #0
Savage Dragon #148
FCHS
Mercy Sparx
William Shatner Presents


I'll probably get more but I need to see what the rest are all about. The covers arent enough for me to know what I'm fully getting.

[cadgers]

I'm going to get:

Blackest Night #0
Savage Dragon #148
FCHS
Mercy Sparx
William Shatner Presents


I'll probably get more but I need to see what the rest are all about. The covers arent enough for me to know what I'm fully getting.

You won't read a Bendis book even if it's free?

[thenextchampion]

You won't read a Bendis book even if it's free?

Never!

[mtjones]

Planning on getting the Avengers and FCHS. I thought about picking up Mercy Sparxxx, because I kind of liked the first promo issue, but I never read anymore after that. I assume that it won't have anything to do with continuity so it's up in the air as to whether or not I'll get it.

[gobo]

I don't feel bad saying this since they're Free anyway, but the Avengers book has leaked, it was good!

[cenquist]

I am getting my wisdom teeth taken out that day....so I will be to doped up on painkillers to get my books that day. So I will get whatever is left the next day.

[thenextchampion]

I am getting my wisdom teeth taken out that day....so I will be to doped up on painkillers to get my books that day. So I will get whatever is left the next day.

I wanna see a review of you doped up for like....Savage Dragon

'Dudes there was this green dude! With a fin.....and a guy with red and black colors....so colorful....I feel so alive!' :)

[gabeja]

I think when I was really young I got the first issue of Ultimate Spidey at a free comic book day. I think after that I even bought the first trade. Then I went back, and they didn't have the second, so I presumed that there was no way to get it, and gave up untill now.

[miyamotofreak]

What's FCHS?

[thenextchampion]

What's FCHS?

FCHS
written by Vito Deslante (Scooby Doo, Before They Were Famous: Albert Einstein)
art by Rachel Freire

Basically it's Archie meets 90210

[babnert]

Im still kind of new to comics, just been getting big into them this past year and a half or so. Ive never participated in FCBD till this year and Geoff Johns is signing at my comic shop so me and my little brother are pretty excited. Can anyone help me know what to expect? Are you allowed to choose 1 free comic of all the available or is it take any of the ones your interested in?

If its the second then im excited to pick up Blackest Night, Savage Dragon, Resurrection and Avengers.

[thenextchampion]

Im still kind of new to comics, just been getting big into them this past year and a half or so. Ive never participated in FCBD till this year and Geoff Johns is signing at my comic shop so me and my little brother are pretty excited. Can anyone help me know what to expect? Are you allowed to choose 1 free comic of all the available or is it take any of the ones your interested in?

If its the second then im excited to pick up Blackest Night, Savage Dragon, Resurrection and Avengers.

If my LCS owner is to be believed it probably depends on the type of LCS. He's been to one where you only can pick one series only.....but my shop says you can pick as much as you want (just obviously save some for others).

[gabeja]

Im still kind of new to comics, just been getting big into them this past year and a half or so. Ive never participated in FCBD till this year and Geoff Johns is signing at my comic shop so me and my little brother are pretty excited. Can anyone help me know what to expect? Are you allowed to choose 1 free comic of all the available or is it take any of the ones your interested in?

If its the second then im excited to pick up Blackest Night, Savage Dragon, Resurrection and Avengers.
I'm pretty sure you can get whatever you want. I've been to two different stores and that is the case.

[esophagus]

If I go, I'm interested in:

FCHS
Love and Rockets Sampler
Atomic Robo and Friends
Blackest Night #0
Avengers

[miyamotofreak]

My shop has a 5 issue limit. Fair enough. The only definite want is Savage Dragon for me and the store doesn't even stock it (it's on my pull though) so I'm sure I'll get it.

[comicbookchris]

Has anyone seen the trim size of the books that Marvel is putting out for FCBD? Its slightly smaller than the normal size, here's the size comparison: http://www.postimage.org/gx1yJWgJ.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx1yJWgJ)

Does anyone think that Marvel will reduce the size of all their weekly books?

[cadgers]

Has anyone seen the trim size of the books that Marvel is putting out for FCBD? Its slightly smaller than the normal size, here's the size comparison: http://www.postimage.org/gx1yJWgJ.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gx1yJWgJ)

Does anyone think that Marvel will reduce the size of all their weekly books?

If it will keep cost down I'm fine with it. They did this before in the 90's if I remember correctly.

[conorkilpatrick]

If it will keep cost down I'm fine with it. They did this before in the 90's if I remember correctly.

Who did? Not Marvel.

[cadgers]

Who did? Not Marvel.

I wasn't reading back then but I know that there is a large chunk of Deadpool from the 90's that is smaller then the size they were using back then. I just assumed Marvel did that for all of them.

Let me see if I can find a pic.

edit: So far I can only find a picture of some bound copies but even here you can tell there a wee bit smaller.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7470/dsc00777.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00777.jpg)

[s1lentslayer]

Last year my LCS had a three book limit.

Avengers
Blackest Night
Resurrection

[comicbookchris]

It really pays off to be in NYC on Free Comic Book Day, since you can pretty much go comic store hoping and take advantage of all the deals and maybe get something you weren't able to get for free. My course of action is usually to start up on 40th st with Midtown Comics, then to 34th for Jim Hanley's Universe, then a walk down to Cosmic Comics on 23rd st., then a quick trot down to Forbidden Planet on 13th, then to wrap up the day, St. Marks Comics down on St. Marks Place, who always has good deals on back issues.

Needless to say, my money usually disapears faster than if it were to be sucked down a black hole on this day every year :p

[thenextchampion]

I had a dream about FCBD for some reason.

There were no other comics available except for the Bendis Avengers one....*shudders* What a nightmare.

[thenextchampion]

I wasnt around on this site when the last FCBD happened.

But how do you guys on the site handle the free comics? Do you put them on the site for us to pull, or just talk about it on the podcast only? Like I would love to review these issues when the come out. Just curious on how ifanboy handles this day.

[optimus187prime]

I wasn't reading back then but I know that there is a large chunk of Deadpool from the 90's that is smaller then the size they were using back then. I just assumed Marvel did that for all of them.

Let me see if I can find a pic.

edit: So far I can only find a picture of some bound copies but even here you can tell there a wee bit smaller.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/7470/dsc00777.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00777.jpg)

Are those custom bound books. They look sweet!

[thenextchampion]

So....did anyone read their comics they picked up yet? I'm just about to read mine. I'll post later on my thoughts.

My LCS didnt get FCHS though; which is a bummer....but Simpsons Comics and GI JOE can easily replace it.

[gabeja]

For everyone wondering about the great book that is fell, here you are,
http://www.imagecomics.com/iconline.php?title=fell_001&page=cover&resize=now

[neb]

I had a great Free Comic Book Day! I picked up:

Blackest Night
Atomic Robo
Savage Dragon

My store was also having a 40% all HCs in the store. I ended up getting Starman Omnibus Vol. 2, Crogan's Vengeance, and and Batman RIP for like $50. Super awesome.

I think the best part was all the little kids that I saw there with their parents. It was really great to see so many tikes being so excited about comics. This really is one of the best days of the year.

[thenextchampion]

Quick reviews!

Blackest Night #0: (does a jig; giddy as a schoolgirl) Oh my god I want this to start now! If a zero issue is this good, then this event is gonna kick ass!! Love the hints we get in this on who is a Black Lantern. Also, great way to profile each lantern corps and who the main participants will be.

Bongo Comics: Free for All!: I'm a sucker for Simpsons comics. This was really funny and I loved the backup material with Futurama and Pieman stories. The show might stink, but the comics are still great.

G.I. Joe/Transformers Animated: Meh....

Mercy Sparx #1: I read the #0 issue so long ago; and I enjoyed it. I dont know if this is a reboot of the series or the genuine #1 issue....but I liked it. It looks like at first this is gonna be all cheesecake; but it's just a fun adventure of a devil girl fighting angels. What's not to love?

Savage Dragon #148: I wanted to give this a chance cause so many people praise this series; especially Ron. Well sorry to disappoint (again) but this was a stinker. Larson tries too hard to condense almost 150 issues worth of referencing and the main plot is just boring. Plus I am not a fan of Larson's pencils.....If I wanted to waste money on an out of date, 90's comic then I would buy old X-Men issues.

William Shatner Presents: It's William Shatner....all you need to know.

[scoobydiesel]

In a good sign(imo) most the comics at my LCS was gone, but i still picked up the Avenger and the Hellboy issuse's

[miyamotofreak]

I wish my store was always that busy. Made me feel good inside.

[babnert]

Got back a little while ago. Picked up Blackest Night, Savage Dragon, Avengers and Clone Wars.

Geoff Johns was there and I got him to sign Blackest Night, Flash Rebirth #1, Sinestro Corps War and Booster Gold #0. He was really nice and was taking pictures with people.

[matthaber1]

I only got blackest night #0, and the avengers.

Blackest night was amazing, and I can't wait for Blackest night to come. I doubt I can become anymore excited for blackest night.

Avngers on the other hand, the art was really nice. The story didn't do anything for me though. Bendis rights a good spiderman IMO. But still I won't be picking up any of bendis's avengers because of this.

[capthowdy]

Well there was a three comic limit so I chose:

Blackest Night... it was really good, I don't read Green Lantern but plan on getting into it in the future.

Worlds of Aspen... same deal I haven't really read much of their stuff read Soulfire Chaos Reigns and liked it tho so I intent of looking into them more. I haven't read this yet but it looks like a format that I think is ideal for FCBD... it appears to have a sampling of a bunch of their titles in each one. I wish the indies like Dynamite, Image, and the rest did this.

Contract... Never heard of it, grabbed it on a whim (nice cover :) Pretty decent I thought.

There were a couple of horror titles that I really wanted (that my comic shop was recommending to me since I love horror), but I leafed thru them and they didn't look like there was any story at all just ads n stuff for their future titles.

Ah well, so pretty decent... I bought a bunch of trades too and got that sweet Frank Cho art book 'Apes & Babes'.

[miyamotofreak]

So I got:
FCHS- I don't think this is my thing. Amusing and I think it was fantastic at creating a tone but the book doesn't grip me like me like say, Scott Pilgrim. Liked the backmatter though.
Avengers- Interesting little book. Does a good job telling me what exactly is going on. I wish it wasn't undersized though as the art was REALLY good. I liked the Ares-Thor stuff especially. Ares is such a goof in Incredible Hercules that this was refreshing.
Blackest Night #0- Wow. Consider me a Geoff Johns fan. Definitely jumping into GL and Blackest Night.
Savage Dragon #148- Larsen tried too hard trying to invite new readers in and it hurt the story a bit. A decent issue but if you didn't like it, there's a strong chance you still may like the series.
Resurrection #0- Very interesting. Walking Dead+Aliens+Government Conspiracy. This is the first normal sized $4 issue book I'll be picking up (granted that's partly because they gave us so much value with the trade).

[gabeja]

Went to two different stores, both awesome for different reasons. Although, neither had any discounts on trades or HCs. Went to Meltdown which had a tim sale signing, and a limit of three books per customer, and hi de ho which had no limit as well as many back issues that they were giving away for free. I got a second printing of Captain Britain #1, Final Crisis: Requim #1 which I payed 4 bucks for a few months ago, and many more. What was up with the size of that avengers issue though?

[drakedangerz]

I took a few friends of mine to my LCS. It was nice and packed and I loved it :D

Picked up pretty much every comic that was available, no limit at my store. They also had a buy one get one half off sale. Not much of a sale, but it was better than nothing. Bought Proof Vol. 2 and Seaguy Vol.1 Then was busy all day. Good stuff

[babnert]

What was up with the size of that avengers issue though?

Yeah I was kind of put off by that too, I guess its to save money but my shop had a 2 book limit so I almost didn't get it as one of my books because of it.

[paper]

Yeah I was kind of put off by that too, I guess its to save money but my shop had a 2 book limit so I almost didn't get it as one of my books because of it.

...why?

The book wasn't spectacular, but it was packed. Nothing wrong with the form factor.

When we were at NYCC, we stopped by Cheung's table in artist alley. His original art pages were this size or not much bigger.

[paper]

Went to both Brave New Worlds locations in the Philadelphia area. My regular shop in Willow Grove had a 5 book max so I picked up Blackest Night, Avengers, FCHS, Atomic Robo, and GI Joe/Transformers Animated. Grabbed Air volume one as my purchase. In the evening I had to head downtown to cover a local magic show, so I stopped at the Old City BNW on the way. Got the Savage Dragon issue and purchased Essex County: Tales From the Farm and Jonah Hex: Face Full of Violence.

[dave-carr]

and purchased Essex County: Tales From the Farm and [

Just picked that up from the library. Had a good cry after reading it.

[cammyknoxville]

Although my LCS didn't participate, they did give us regular customers Blackest Night #0, Buck Rogers #0, and Avengers for free.

Twas a good haul.

[voodoomama]

higlight of my FCBD was the free sketch I got of myself as mo hawk sporting Storm. Other than that my new LCS had a one limit per customer and ther wasnt alot to choose from. also the dudes running seemed tired and groucy as hell. Need to find a new LCS

[miyamotofreak]

higlight of my FCBD was the free sketch I got of myself as mo hawk sporting Storm. Other than that my new LCS had a one limit per customer and ther wasnt alot to choose from. also the dudes running seemed tired and groucy as hell. Need to find a new LCS
Sounds like it. One per customer is pretty weak.

[comicbookchris]

The free Avengers book that came out pretty much outlines the big strength and weakness of a Bendis written Avengers team.

Strength: Good dialog, witty lines (especially from Spider-Man)

Weakness: Unimaginative fights, even more unimaginative final conflict or bad guy that is either beaten by: 1) just beating the fuck out of it or 2) using some kind of MacGuffin that the team spends a good chunk of the issue trying to find (In this case, it was option 2)

AND STOP SAYING AVENGER-Y!!!!!!!!! ITS SUCH A LAME MADE UP ADJECTIVE AND MY BRAIN SCREAMS EACH TIME I READ IT OR HEAR IT FROM BENDIS OR SLOTT!!! AGGGGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!

[timmywood-]

I liked the Avengers book. It was a fun one and done story and the art was great. I have realized in the past year how much I love the one and done stories, fun and well worth picking up.

Blackest night was also great. Even though there wasn't a ton of story I loved all the back up material with all the teams and their primary players.

I also picked up Atomic Robo because I have heard so much about it. It was fun. I liked it. I might pick up the trade. The I Kill Monsters story was fun too. I might pick it up when it comes out.

[gabeja]

Looking back on both the avengers and blackest night books I feel they each fail at catching a reader up and bringing them up to speed. If I picked up an avengers book after reading the FCBD issue, I would probably wonder what the fuck was up with this hood person, or who the fuck this sentry person was and what the fuck he was doing. With the GL book, it would be what the fuck is up with this agent orenge person?

[neb]

The art in the Blackest Night book was drool worthy. Reis is totally killing it. I can't wait to feast on that book!

[miyamotofreak]

Looking back on both the avengers and blackest night books I feel they each fail at catching a reader up and bringing them up to speed. If I picked up an avengers book after reading the FCBD issue, I would probably wonder what the fuck was up with this hood person, or who the fuck this sentry person was and what the fuck he was doing. With the GL book, it would be what the fuck is up with this agent orenge person?
I disagree. I think they both fluidly provided an entry point into their worlds. I am using the Blackest Night #0 issue to enter GL (starting with the items on the nifty checklist on the back).

[the-mangaman]

So... yet another successful free comic book day. Again I came up bright and early in what would become a long line of people last saturday morning. And i gotta tell ya.. it was worth it.

Limits: 2 of what was at back, and as many Radical Comics (new publisher) as you can get.

From the Non-radicals I saw alot I liked. And.. alot of stinkers. I skipped the Avengers one obviously because of my dislike of almost anything Avengers. I skipped Savage Dragon (thank god) because of my fear of just jumping into long running stories. There was a TMNT comic... looking inside I saw the black and whiteness and shabby art style... it reminded me of my NES buried in my attic... so it was fairly easy to make my pick decisions.

My shop owned. I left with a plethora of comics... needless to say my wallet cries out again in the following weeks as I come back for more fill of Radical Comics.

- Gi Joe/ Transformers promoter *I SWEAR TO GOD I DIDN'T KNOW TRANSFORMERS WAS ON THE BACKSIDE =(* Also like TNC says... very "meh" but hey! IT HAD SNAKE EYES ON THE COVER =( which attracts me like a moth to light.
- Blackest Night (I already read a friend's so I just bagged and boarded mine right away XD!!)

Radical Comics
- Calibur 1-3
- Hercules 3 of 5
- Shrapnel 1-4
- Freedom Formula 1-5 (missing #3, all out of that)
- Radical Comics Promoter Comic (to see what else they had)
- City of Dust #3 (plan on getting rest later)

Well.. it's sort of safe to say that I'm hooked to this rather newb publisher. Shrapnel was a golden story. It was a very intelligent military sci-fi story that is a must read if you're going to read anything RADICAL. Calibur is ok... it's almost a wild westish 100 bullets... somewhat at least. Hercules is bloody and I haven't finished reading the rest of what I have so I'll hold off on comments until later.

But again.. a very satisfying Free Comic Book Day. Once I get a better paying job I'll be able to widen my comic book budget.

[jimski]

I am loving these discussions. I should point out both my column this week (http://ifanboy.com/content/articles/My_Free_Comic_Book_Day) on iFanboy.com and Conor/Josh's photo essay (http://ifanboy.com/content/articles/Free_Comic_Book_Day__A_Photo_Essay), both of which are about FCBD and both of which have some similarly good conversations going on in their Comments.

[filipsablik]

I had a great time signing & sketching at Earth-2 in Sherman Oaks. We ended up going for 5 hours and had a blast. You can check out some of the sketches and pictures from FCBD on CBR at their CBR Live! live blog.

If you get a chance, check out the Top Cow FCBD offering - Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer First Look by Mark Waid and Kenneth Rocafort. You can read a free preview on Newsarama - http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=27609

Filip Sablik
Publisher, Top Cow Productions
Read Berserker #0 for FREE at www.myspace.com/comicbooks

[miyamotofreak]

Filip Sablik
Publisher, Top Cow Productions
Read Berserker #0 for FREE at www.myspace.com/comicbooks
You know I finally caved in and bought the $5 Darkness trade. I'll probably order the Witchblade one as well. But in chronological order I should read the Witchblade trades up to #5 (which includes First Born) then after that start Darkness?