Today is the unofficial comic book day because it’s Wednesday. Every Wednesday the latest comic books are put on the shelves of the local comic book shops. Every Wednesday the hold lists of the loyal comic book shop patrons are updated. Every Wednesday the work week is half way over and the comic book fan in your life has a bit of a spring in their step. Wednesday’s are great days. The only thing that could make Wednesday’s better is if the comic books were free!
The official comic book day, Free Comic Book Day, is this Saturday. One of the best days of the year for kids and adults alike is the first Saturday of every May. Lately Free Comic Book day has also been on the opening weekend of a huge Summer comic book blockbuster movie too. I plan on making a day of it with my nephews and nieces. Every shop will have free comic books to hand out to lucky customers who have waited in line. Most shops will also have guest appearances of famous super-heroes to greet the kids while they wait in line. Some shops have special events with artists and writers signing prints and books. The artists will even draw sketches for anyone who wants their favorite super-hero on an original piece of art.
Free Comic Book Day is the greatest and everyone is welcome to join in the festivities. In Utah, we’re coming off of the Salt Lake City Fan-X Comic convention and, although that convention broke attendance records for both the state and the continent, many people weren’t lucky enough to make it out to the con. Free Comic Book day is a great opportunity to experience a little bit of the fun that happens at the convention. Fan-X didn’t have free comic books for everyone though, so FBCD has a leg up on it for that one. For a comprehensive list of what’s books will be available visit the official FCBD site here. There are events happening at your local comic book shop up and down the state but the following shops are having a little extra something special:
Cache County
DEATH RAY COMICS is opening early for everyone with a hold at their store. An hour later, at 10am, they’re letting in the general public in a “movie premier style”. They’ll let everyone who comes in get some personal time with the comics so they can pick their favorite one. The festivities will continue throughout the day with in store specials and discounts. While you’re there you can listen to live music or one of the amazing live podcasts that will be recording there like Netheads or Wrestling Podcast Federation (WPF). The other podcasts from A Part of Him Podcast Network may record so if you’re a fan – like the one’s travelling from Anaheim for FCBD in Logan – make Logan your destination (72 West Center Street, Logan 435-535-3259).
Davis County
END ZONE is participating in Free Comic book day and they’ve set a limit at 3 books per person because of last year’s line to get in reaching 60 patrons. They’ll be opening at 11 and suggest that anyone who is interested in getting in on the festivity get their early (133 S. State St. Clearfield; 801-774-5050).
HAJOMAJE in Kaysville is having a sale during Free Comic Book Day and they’ll be opening promptly at 10am (12 S Main St Kaysville; 801-544-2899). There will also be some Cosplay and some gaming for anyone interested.
HEEBEEGEEBEEZ the Layton shop is having local artist Chris Bodily on hand with prints and sketches. They’ll be giving out free comic books to eager fans and they may even have some super-heroes show up (1986 N. Hill Field Rd. #2 Layton; 801-779-4965).
Salt Lake County
BLACK CAT COMICS has fan favorite Ryan Ottley from Image comics and local colorist Steven Oaks. Did I mention that Ryan Ottley is the artist for “Invincible” written by “The Walking Dead” writer Robert Kirkman? Ryan will be signing, sketching and he will also be sketching on a blank “Harley Quinn” #0 which will be auctioned off for a 100% of the proceeds donation to The Sharing Place charity. Go to Black Cat for free comics and the chance at a cool sketch for a great cause (2265 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City; 801-461-4228).
DR. VOLTS will be hosting our very own Editor-in-Chief Bryan Young (Swank-mo-tron). Bryan is the creative genius behind “Lost at the Con” and “Operation Montauk”. He will be signing copies of his latest book, “A Children’s Illustrated History o Presidential Assassination” at 2pm. Dr. Volts has a limit on giveaway’s set at 5 books and always has long lines waiting for the store to open. Dr. Volts is having a 20% off storewide sale so be sure to make the best of that deal while it lasts! (2043 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City; 801-485-6114)
HASTUERS GAMES is having a big event for FCBD with appearances and photo-ops by Spider-man and his crime fighting friends. The ladies of the Hello Sweetie Podcast will be live podcasting from 11am-2pm. Also at the event will be artist and Cosplayer Chrissy Alberstson. The books will flow freely from 10am until they run out so get their early and stay for the party (6831 S State St., Salt Lake City; 801-352-2605).
NIGHT FLIGHT COMICS will host local writer Darren Lamb and comic talent Brady Canfield (Wombat Rue) out for the event that starts at 11am and goes until 8pm (6222 South State Street, Salt Lake City; 84107).
THE NERD STORE in West Valley City will be hosting Artist Chris Hoffman and the writers of Salt City Strangers. Hold 322 will be Podcasting live from the store with JC Carter, Robert Easton and J.M. Bell (3601 S 2700 W, West Valley City; 801-964-4776).
Utah County
DRAGON’S KEEP of Lehi, Orem, and Provo will open their doors at 10am and all of their guests will rotate to every one of their shops. They’re going to have Marvel artist Travis Walton, comic book artist Phillip Sevy, Bill Galvan, JJ Harrison, Top Shelf Comix artist & writer Jess Smart Smiley, Mike Lovins, Patrick Kendall, Nathan Tingen, Adam Munoa, and Stewart Craig. They’ll all be signing comics, selling their wares and doing personalized sketches! Any one of the Dragon’s Keep locations will be a great place for kid and kid who never grew up this Saturday (260 N. University Ave, Provo; 84601).
Washington County
COMICS PLUS in St. George is having a mini-convention they’re calling “Saint George Comic Con” for Free Comic Book Day. The event goes from 11am-6pm. They’ll have the FCBD comics to hand out as well as some in store discounts. In addition to that they’re going to have Arists Chad Hardin, Derek Hunter, and Ol Raz and authors David Farland, George Harmon, Amanda Gerry, and Christy Hall. There will be cosplay and gaming events so if you’re in Southern Utah, Comics Plus is the place to be this weekend (348 W St. George Blvd; 435-673-3229). For more information, visit the events Facebook page.
If you’re outside of Utah or you’re looking for more locations, visit the FCBD store locator on the official Free Comic Book Day website. Be on the lookout for Big Shiny Robots like myself and let us know how your geek holiday is going on Twitter @BigShinyRobot & @MarkAvo. If everything above still hasn’t convinced you, here’s the Generalismo himself, Stan Lee, talking about Free Comic Book Day: