This Saturday, comic book fans get something for nothing.
Free Comic Book Day is an annual event created by the comic book industry to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores.
As the name implies, Free Comic Book Day (or FCBD for short) is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores.
Major publishers, like Marvel and DC Comics, as well as many independent companies put out reprints or all new storylines to attract new readers.
Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May each year, usually after the release of a major theatrical film adaptation of a comic. 2009's FCBD will take place the day after the release of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
The first Free Comic Book Day event was held in 2002. Since then, thousands of shops have given away millions of free comic books to interested readers as the yearly event grew exponentially.
Patrick Godfrey, owner of Velocity Comics on West Broad Street, says the event is nothing but good business for his store.
"We’ve participated every since it began and it grows tremendously every year," he says. "It's without a doubt one of our busiest days of the year. We barely have to promote it anymore because the event pretty much sells itself."
Initially created to promote the medium, Free Comic Book Day has evolved into promoting literacy in younger children as well.
"Because of our location, we’re used to seeing mainly VCU students, but on Free Comic Book Day, we see a lot more families with children than we normally would," Godfrey adds.
Other participating stores include Dave's Comics, located on Three Chopt Road, and Richmond Comix on Midlothian Turnpike. Copies are limited so make sure to get out to your local comic book store and grab your free issue.
Check out the books available on FCBD with the slideshow below:
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