Yes, kids, it’s that time of the year again. The first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day. If you’re Jake from my comic Jake & Leon it’s the most wonderful time of year and oddly I’m not doing a FCBD strip this week because we had a different topic show up and I think I’ve run out of Free Comic Book Day gags.

For the uninitiated, Free Comic Book Day began when Joe Field, who no longer owns a comic book store, suggested a day to bring in new readers through the power of free stuff. Diamond Comics, who is currently between owners after years of mismanagement and screwing over smaller comic stores, took up the cause. Yeah, this is an interesting year for Free Comic Book Day. The idea isn’t that you get regular comics for free but special previews that the readers don’t have to pay for. However, the comic story totally pays for those comics so be sure to buy something from them if you can!!!!! The way things have been for them lately they could use the money. Sadly I am dirt poor this year and I’m still going to look to get at least one or two, even if only from the back issue bins as I have plenty of boards and bags. That’s if I go this year.

I didn’t go last year because I wasn’t up for it and I’m not sure how I’m going to feel tomorrow with my allergies (plus last night my insomnia was interrupted by a pop-up storm knocking out power for almost an hour so I’m a bit tired at the moment) or what the weather is going to be like. So I may be forced to resort to online digital versions from ComiXology/Kindle, Global Comix, Drive Thru Comics, or whatever else gets put online. Sometimes publishers even put them on their website. That would be a shame, since meeting fellow comic fans and finding out what’s out there that HASN’T broken your heart or made by people who call you scum for not kissing their rear ends is the best part of going. Whatever the case, it’s time for my annual look through at the Gold and Silver sponsorships. One costs the store more so they might not get them and given when I wake up they might be gone before I get there. Still, if I go, this is what I hope to obtain:

The comic industry today.

Gold Sponsored

• Spider-Man/Ultimate Universe: I’m more curious about the Ultimate universe than current day 616 Peter. Marvel keeps spitting on the original and his proper wife but I’ve heard mostly good things about Ultimate Universe mark 2.
• Archie’s Comics Spectacular: Frankly I’m just happy to see the Riverdale gang look like themselves rather than the CWish art style they’ve been using. Clearly they’re not used to it as they used to be a lot closer to Dan Decarlo’s designs even when he wasn’t drawing it, but classic Archie is back and I’m willing to support it even if I’m not a reader generally.
• Speed Racer: No preview for this one, not even a summary. It’s one I might look at but I don’t know if I’ll pick up. So many nostalgic properties are not sounding very nostalgic. It’s why ThunderCats, Power Rangers/VR Troopers, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Star Wars, and the various Transformers offerings are not on this list, probably shocking any of you who know me and are checking the full list against my list.

Someone found out how he’s been altered in the MCU.

Silver Comics

• Godzilla–The New Heroes: If you have to ask why, then welcome to BW Media Spotlight. Any search for Godzilla will explain everything pretty fast.
• Iron Man & His Awesome Friends/Spidey & His Amazing Friends: Seems like an odd choice, doesn’t it? I know this is the preschool/elementary age show and the comic (note the FCBD banner colors–green for all-ages, blue for teens, and red for grown-ups) from last time was almost insulting with how big the panels were and weak the story was compared to the cartoon. On the other hand, Iron Man is my favorite Marvel hero until Marvel ruined him before they did Spider-Man so my curiosity for this Disney Junior spinoff is up.
• Transformers–Worst Bot Ever: I make no promises on this one. I’ve stated my case for why I’m not interested in Skybound’s “Energon Universe” but this is under the all-ages banner. I kind of want to support that so kids get a comic based on a kids property for kids…but it’s about a Decepticon who turns into a ballpoint pen. I don’t expect that to be any kind of serious. Make up for it by looking fun when I skim it and I might give it a review. If not, I have too many comics as it is. I’m hoping to get tips on where the best place to sell a bunch of them is, since not surprisingly the declutter side project site’s list of comics for sale isn’t helping.
• The Phantom: No preview for this one, either, but if it stays true to the comic strip like most versions do (looking at you disappointingly The Last Phantom), it should be good.
• Will Eisner Comic Biography: A graphic novel preview but I am curious how the approach will be. The Eisner Awards named for him may still be controversial and some of Eisner’s characters and stories are…shall we say a product of their time, but he’s considered a comic legend for a reason.

The official Free Comic Book Day website also says that participating stores will have a free Mobile Suit Gundam Wing comic outside of the Gold and Silver offerings. I don’t know if either of the comic stores near me will have them but as one of the few Gundam series I enjoy I definitely want to check it out if they have it.

So what comics are you going to check out? The website has a comic store locator but one of my two possible stores isn’t on the list but they say they’re taking part. So do your own search for comic stores and see if they’re participating in Free Comic Book Day. If I do go I’ll do an X-Twitter series of posts under the hashtag #BW_FCBD, which I’ve done for the past series of Free Comic Book Days I’ve gone to, and a full wrap-up review of my haul on Tuesday unless I decide to get it up sooner. Have a happy and safe Free Comic Book Day, and don’t forget to buy something to support the comic store. New comic, old comic, merchandise, storing supplies–just something to make the day profitable for them since they pay for the comics out of pocket. I know, I would think the publishers would do it for the promotion but those comics still cost money to make and comics aren’t doing so well, Neither are comic stores. Remember, the comic store where this started is no longer in operation.