NEW YORK – AUGUST 31: In this photo illustration, vintage Spider Man and X-Men Marvel comic books are seen at St. Mark’s Comics August 31, 2009 in New York City. The Walt Disney Co. announced that it plans to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4 billion in stock and cash, bringing 5,000 Marvel characters including Spider Man and Incredible Hulk under the Disney umbrella. (Photo Illustration by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
May the fourth be with you on this Star Wars Day — and also this Free Comic Book Day.
On Saturday, stores around the country will be handing out special Free Comic Book Day editions of books from a range of publishers, including favorites like Marvel and DC. And yes, they’ll really be free.
At a time when comic book characters are bringing blockbuster hits but the comic book industry itself is on the decline, Free Comic Book Day is a way to keep the medium alive.
Here’s what you need to know.
Make sure your local store is participating
Not every comic book store is going to be handing out free copies and special editions. So before you set out for your local comic book shop, do your homework.
You can find the closest participating shop by typing in your ZIP code into the locator on the official website.
These are the titles stores are offering
There will be 51 titles available on Saturday. Those titles include:
- The Avengers
- Spider-Man
- Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale
- Dear Justice League
- Riverdale
- Doctor Who
- Stranger Things & Black Hammer
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Firefly
- Pokemon
See here for the full list.
But though there are 51 titles available, don’t count on snagging all of them.
How many comics you can score will depend on how many the store has to give away, how many visitors they get and how many people get there before you, among other factors. You’ll want to check with your store for their specific policies.
But wait … there’s more
Yeah, most people are lured in by the promise of free comics. But that’s not all that’s happening Saturday.
Many comic book writers and artists will also be holding signings at stores around the US.
DC has posted a list of the signings its artists and writers are participating in here. If your local shop didn’t make the list, check with the store to see if they have any other special events planned.
