The Free Comic Book Day website has been updated with this year’s free books, which means a press release is probably coming out very soon. You can see the gold sponsor books here and the silver sponsor ones here.
Of note:
–Marvel once again offers an original comic … remember last year when they had that weird Spider-Man comic that featured an unmarried Peter Parker and a new character named Jackpot? This year’s book features the X-Men by Mike Carey and Greg Land. Along with that, they’re also offering a Marvel Adventures book that features Iron Man and friends taking on the Mandarin (I’m not sure if it’s new or not).
–Dark Horse also takes the “movie tie-in” route and offers a Hellboy/B.P.R.D. comic. It sounds like it’s new material as well.
–DC offers reprints of All-Star Superman #1 and Tiny Titans #1. Considering the idea is to get comics into the hands of new readers, it makes perfect sense to reprint a critically acclaimed book featuring your flagship character and something from your new kids line.
–Speaking of kid friendly, Bongo offers a “free for all” with Simpsons and Futurama stories in a “pocket-sized” edition, IDW offers an adaptation of the new Transformers cartoon, Disney’s got Gyro Gearloose, Top Shelf has Owly and friends, and a bunch of creators come together for Comic Book Diner, featuring Amelia Rules!, Patrick the Wolfboy, Buzzboy and many more.
–I.G.N.A.T.Z. sports an impressive line-up that I’m sure Chris Mautner will have good things to say about … Richard Sala, David B., Zak Sally and a cover by Kevin Huizenga, just to name a few.
–Like last year, Love and Capes creator Tom Zahler offers issue #7 of his fun sitcom-ish superhero title for free. Although there’s some continuity between issues, each one is pretty self-contained and could be easily picked up to get a glimpse of what the title offers. Good stuff.
–Red 5 offers a new Atomic Robo tale, which I’m sure will please Michael May.
–Oni offers Maintenance #1, which, like Love and Capes, is something I mention because it’s a title I really enjoy.
Free Comic Book Day 2008 takes place on May 3. Visit the Free Comic Book Day site for more information.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Hey… that Viper Comics book looks pretty awesome, too, ya know! *ahem*
-D
February 14th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I was always wondering how independents get involved in something like this? If you already have printed comic books, how do you get them distributed to all vendors participating in the FCBD?
AE.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:17 am
EC Sampler?! Dude, awesome!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Outstanding! I just read Neotopia digests 1 and 2. Excited that I can get number 3 for free!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Here at Dynamite, we’re hard at work on the Project Superpowers FCBD Edition, written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger and special artist to be announced this week… featuring a new cover from Ross as well (of course).
It will be an original story and the comic itself will also features pages and previews from several of Dynamite’s current and new titles in 2008 and beyond!
February 14th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Hmm, pretty cool that Dark Horse and Marvel is once more offering something new for this day.. I suppose I am a bit more pleased with the DC-crop this year as compared to last, with All Star Superman and all.
But I was sort of expecting a new original All Star Superman short. Like an 8-pager. Oh man, that would have been cool. It would have become a collectors-item in no-time.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Just wanted to say I am really looking forward to FCBD with Viper Comics
Kid Houdini!! A must see!!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:03 am
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
February 14th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Scott here from Red 5 Comics! Be sure to ask your comic shop to order the FCBD Atomic Robo comic! If they don’t order it, it won’t be availible at your local shop on FCBD. Read more here: http://www.red5comics.com/?comic=19
February 14th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I always print out some minis for my LCBS to give away, it’s fun and cheap.
February 14th, 2008 at 11:17 am
While I wasn’t at all impressed with last year’s Marvel/ASM freebie (and abhor what happened with OMD), I at least give them credit over DC. Reprints? Reprints of books that came out quite a long time ago (in the case of All Star Supes #1, or Supes/Bats #1 from FCBD two years ago) and you’re unlikely to find the other issues in that story arc (at least not cheap)?
Maybe that’ll sell a few trades to newbies, but c’mon DC.. Gives us some NEW material! Something to get me excited about a book I might not have normally tried. I have no idea what the free X-Men book will be about (aside from the Whedon run on Astonishing I find X-continuity too convoluted to follow), but I’ll give it a shot.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I’m of an almost completely opposite mind of Shaun up there. While the new books are a nice, fun perk for fans that’s not what Free Comic Book day should be about. I think that it’s spectacular that DC is putting out a free copy of what is far-and-away their most critically acclaimed Super Hero title in years. Fan tested, Time magazine approved.
They are putting their best foot forward.
Marvel? Greg Land? Really? REALLY? His art is the kind of crap that makes me embarassed to love Super Hero comics. I know it sells, but it always strikes me as an art style that reinforces every single negative stereotype regarding what comics are that anyone might hold, without adding anything worthwhile that makes up for it.
February 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Shaun, I agree with the concern about where ASS is bringing new readers in. Even your comment that it may “sell a few trades to newbies” is probably not true, since as far as I know there still isn’t a paperback edition, and I can’t imagine anyone who doesn’t already love Silver Age nostalgia paying $30 to pick up that first hardcover.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Man, I really do not want to see poor, innocent Pixie drawn like a pornstar. Gonna have to pass on that X-Book.
Free Atomic Robo, though? Hell and Yes.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
How can a comic featuring artwork by Greg Land be described as original?
JK?
I’d like an answer.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
You’re right that each Love and Capes is self-contained, and the FCBD issues have an oh-so convenient recap on the inside cover, too. Thanks for the kind words!
February 14th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Thanks, Bruce! I really think you’ll enjoy Kid Houdini and look forward to hearing what you think.
-D
February 14th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Gianluca from Radical Publishing. Really excited to see our FCBD book listed. Our first two titles come out around the same time. Words can’t express how amazed I am with the work of Imaginary Friends Studios and am so glad to have them on board with us.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I hope this year’s marvel comic books are not that hard to find, spider-man last year was almost “sold out” the same day.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I love me some Love and Capes! Can’t wait to read the new issue!