While many fans were disappointed that the annual Free Comic Book Day was cancelled this May due to the impact of COVID-19, this Wednesday July 15 brings the first of many weeks of Free Comic Book Summer! The new innovative weekly approach to the event will take place throughout July and early September and will most importantly, adhere to social-distancing and store capacity regulations across the country.
Each week from July 15 to September 9, comic shops will receive five to six Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) for fan distribution. The titles may vary from shop to shop, and it will be up to store owners how the comics are released, such as one free title a day, all at once, or any other creative approach. The nature of the event encourages flexibility so retailers and fans can get the most out the event.
Joe Field, originator of FCBD, and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, CA realizes this year will be different, but he is encouraging readers to discover news titles and characters, and he is “…confident long-time fans and newcomers alike are going to find a story that’ll make them want to visit their local comic shop every week! Fans, bring your friends and family and head to your local comic shop every week starting July 15 through September 9 to check out the new, and fantastic, free comics available that week!”
The entire event will feature 45 of the previously announced titles from publishers like Marvel Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, and more! The 45 titles are broken down into two tiers: Gold Comics and Silver Comics which are primarily separated by the size of the publisher. Participating stores are more likely to offer all of the Gold comics and a smattering from the Silver level. If you are looking for some of the smaller press titles, call ahead to check to see if your local store is carrying them.
The first week kicks off with Marvel’s X-Men, Boom! Studios Power Rangers, IDW’s My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, Chapterhouses’ Captain Canuck and Captain Battle, Papercutz’s Asterix, and JY’s The Weirn Books. A complete listing of all 45 FCBD titles can be viewed online at www.freecomicbookday.com.
Be sure to check back with Conskipper for a preview of next week’s titles, and all Free Comic Summer long!
