EARTH PRIME TIME: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2013 PREVIEW

Whoa what a couple o’ weeks, amiright? Did you know that nearly every comic book company worth a gosh darn gives out free comic books on the first Saturday in May? That’s right, I think we can all use a little outing this Saturday. Here are some of our most anticipated free comics to pick up at your LCS (Local Comic Shop) this weekend. Don’t be greedy, take only one! We previewed the free books last year…and we’re still into comics. Who knew?

One thing is for sure, publishers look forward to unleashing their swag on this geek high holiday every year, and they always pull out all of the stops. Free Comic Book Day means many different things to many different people. The day was brainstormed into being in 2001, and came to be the following year in 2002 to coincide with the release of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. This year’s movie of course is Iron Man 3, opening Friday.

The manifesto is three parts simple, and found on the font of knowledge, Wikipedia:

To introduce everyone to the joys of reading comics.
To call back former comic book readers.
To thank current comic book buyers for their continued support.

Many stores have signings, candy, costume contests and more to celebrate the day, so if you are like us (which you aren’t), you’ll be hopping on your bike or the T on a virtual tour of the city, high-fiving your favorite shop owners, buying some trades and collecting an issue of all of your favorite free comics. Clay’s favorite part of this weekend is that even 25-cent bins are sometimes cleared out gratis. LeaguePodcast likes deals!

Here’s two sites to check out, the first is the Free Comic Book Day website, complete with a day counter for those into that sort of gimmick (we also like gimmicks!). There you will find the complete list of comics available to retailers to order.

Keep in mind, not every store has each comic. You may have to hunt some down by visiting the various shops.

There are both Gold and Silver prize free comics available. If you don’t know the difference, as Boromir points out below:

“One does not simply GET INTO comic books.”

The second resource for you, on a local and not so local level (DigBoston has readers all over the galaxy!) is the Local Comic Shop Locator. Plug in your zip code and zip bop zoom, Dr. Doom robots process your request and print out on teletype an address for you to go celebrate.

SILVER COMICS of NOTE

The Red Ten #0 - ComixTribe - FCBD Edition

We’re looking forward to Red Ten #0 from ComixTribe. We spoke a bit last year with Tyler about his comics. It’s Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians for a Justice League analog that will keep you on your toes!

Marble Season - Gilbert Hernadez - Free Comic Book Day Edition

Gilbert Hernandez previews his graphic novel, Marble Season from Drawn and Quarterly on Saturday.

The Love and Rockets

creator beautifully illustrates his childhood and love for comics!

Valiant - Harbinger Wars - Free Comic Book Day 2013

Valiant Comics gives us more on Harbinger Wars with their offering.

GOLD LEVEL COMICS of NOTE

Superman - FCBD 2013

Infinity - Marvel FCBD 2013

Marvel and DC duke it out with top talent and even bigger heroes. Superman — Last Son Of Krypton #1 written by Geoff Johns and Richard Donner (Superman, 1978) and drawn by Adam Kubert faces off with Infinity (starring Thanos) by Jonathan Hickman and Jim Cheung. Movie feuds, anyone?

Kaboom! Summer Blast

Archie, Dark Horse and BOOM! all have amazing books as well. Who can’t get hooked on comics at an early age with a free Archie’s Digest? Star Wars fan? Dark Horse has the comic you are looking for. Over at BOOM!, the anthology of KaBoom Titles is so math with Adventure Time, Peanuts, and Garfield. Fun for all ages!