FCBD 2014

Apparently Free Comic Book Day has been a thing since 2002.  My first experience with it was either 2005 or 2006, when I was living in Burlington, Massachusetts, when I happened to visit Newbury Comics (a chain store that actually much more heavily features music) on that day.  When I transplanted to Colorado Springs I got to celebrate the true geekiness of the day for the first time thanks to Escape Velocity, which annually features cosplay hosts and bonus prizes.  This is my first year back in Maine to celebrate FCBD.  Back in the day (I wasn't reading comics in 2002, so the point of whether or not it was notably celebrated anywhere around me then is moot), I used to have a lot of shops I could visit.  In the '90s there was even one in my hometown, Ray's 3Cs (comics, cards, collectibles).  One by one they all moved or closed.  So when I came back, I was pleased to see that the situation had improved.  I've visited a number of shops or stores that happen to have comics, including a Newbury Comics in Portland and a Bull Moose in Lewiston, or the old-reliable Zimmies.  It was Bull Moose and Zimmies that saw my business yesterday.

Bull Moose carrying comics was a very welcome development.  Back in the day, it was very much like Newbury, except without the comics.  Now they have a limited selection of new comics available as well as grab bags (I love grab bags).  They were my first stop, and where I got all the highest-profile releases for the day.  Then I headed over to Zimmies, where there was a much more dedicated crowd (read: line).

But Zimmies also has the dubious distinction of winning my FCBD Doctor Dumbass award, or at least one of its patrons yesterday.  Now, the whole idea of Free Comic Book Day is that the comics published specifically for that day are...you'll never believe this...free.  They're free.  So, if and when someone behind you suggests something, maybe just, I don't know, grab that thing and shut up already?  Except this is not what happened.  I was the guy standing behind someone, a dad picking up comics for his two kids (a girl-starring comic for the girl!).  I gave him my wholehearted recommendation for Atomic Robo.  You guys know how I love me Atomic Robo.  And you'd think the guy would just take the recommendation and add Atomic Robo to his haul.  Because, y'know, the comic is free.  But his reaction was confusion, at first.  And then he tried to grab one for me.  And then he put it back, because, if it wasn't for me, then why???  Because, Doctor Dumbass, it was a recommendation!  For a free comic!  You...cannot...go...wrong!

Anyway.  So obviously I grabbed myself an Atomic Robo.

Here's my complete list:

• Atomic Robo (Red 5) Because I love Atomic Robo.
• Bongo Free-for-All (Bongo) Sometimes I think I love Simpsons comics...more than the TV show?
• (Help the CBLDF) Defend Comics (CBLDF) The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund kind of explains itself once you know what "CBLDF" stands for; I was happy to see this one, although I would be happier if comic book stores would more reliably stock their paid releases.  The last time I saw one was at a Newbury (I bought it).
• The Dumbest Idea Ever! (Graphix) The Scholastic imprint that also handles Jeff Smith's mainstream Bone releases.
• Guardians of the Galaxy (Marvel) Even though I fear the movie will make superheroes into a permanent mainstream joke (no matter how successful), I am still looking forward to it.
• The New 52: Futures End #0 (DC) The start of the latest weekly series from DC.  Appeared to be the hottest pick from both locations.
• Previews: What's @ Comic Shops (Previews) In the '90s I read through the new Previews every month.  
• Project Black Sky (Dark Horse) Dark Horse is doing superheroes again.
• Rise of the Magi #0 (Top Cow) As with all of Top Cow's releases, could be very interesting.
• Rocket Raccoon (Marvel) Rocket just can't stay away from Marvel's FCBD releases this year.
• Shigeru Mizuki's Showa: A History of Japan (Drawn & Quarterly) Must remember to read this one the right way.
• Steam Wars (Antarctic Press) I wasn't going to take this one, but I figured why not?  With such a ridiculous bounty (even before reaching Zimmies, which seemed to have every release), I could afford to make a few selections that I maybe wouldn't really have read otherwise.  Because it's free.
• Teen Titans Go! (DC) Say it with me, folks: People who watch TV shows or movies are probably not going to be reading the comic books these characters also appear in.  So quit your stupid whining about Starfire and other related nonsense already.
• The Tick (New England Comics) Spoon!
• Valiant Universe (Valiant) Because this time these characters will stick around forever!
• Worlds of Aspen (Aspen) Will there be a lot of long-limbed beauties?  I'll let you know!
• 2000 AD (Rebellion) I think it's about time we all acknowledge that Judge Dredd just isn't big in America.

And hopefully I will read this stuff (and the other stuff I got, including a grab bag!) and write about it before the end of the year!