Free Comic Book Day Gets a New Schedule
Free Comic Book Day, a worldwide comics industry event usually held on the first Saturday in May, has now officially been rescheduled to several weeks between July 15 and September 9.
Due to the pandemic and resultant protective measures that were put into place, comic book retailers took a big hit with the inability to have regular hours of operation. Some were able to provide mail-order or curbside service, but that has depended a great deal on where the store is located. Free Comic Book Day was affected as well, with the event postponed indefinitely back on March 19.
Now, the event will be spread out between July 15 and September 9. Retailers will receive five to six titles each week, and they’ll be encouraged to release the books “as they see fit,” according to the press release. The intent is for the event to be flexible so retailers and customers can benefit based on their unique circumstances as states continue to open back up for business. “Every year, Free Comic Book Day is our big event to thank current comics fans, welcome back former fans and invite those new to comics to join the fun,” said Joe Field, originator of FCBD, and owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, CA. “In this very different year, Free Comic Book Day is more like Free Comic Book Summer…”
Forty-five titles will be available from various comics publishers, along with two educational support titles from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Gemstone Publishing.
JULY 15
Power Rangers: Ranger Slayer (BOOM! Studios)
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (IDW Publishing)
X-Men (Marvel Comics)
Captain Canuck Beyond and Captain Battle (Chapterhouse Publishing)
Asterix (Papercutz)
The Weirn Books (Yen Press)
JULY 22
Valiant 30th Anniversary Special (Valiant Entertainment)
Dark Ark: Instinct (AfterShock Comics)
Manhwa: Contemporary Korean Comics (Drawn & Quarterly)
Spider-Man/Venom (Marvel Comics)
Horizon Zero Dawn #0 (Titan Comics)
JULY 29
Archie Blue Ribbon Presents (Archie Comics)
Stranger Things/Minecraft (Dark Horse Comics)
Batman Overdrive/Batman: Once Upon a Crime (DC Comics)
The Boys #1 (Dynamite Entertainment)
Richard Fairgray’s Monster Showcase (Golden Apple Books)
Stepping Stones/Max & the Midknights (RH Graphic)
AUGUST 5
The Resistance (Artists, Writers & Artisans)
Lumberjanes: Farewell to Summer (BOOM! Studios)
The Tick (New England Comics)
Zoo Patrol Squad: Kingdom Caper (Penguin Workshop)
Bibi & Miyu/The Fox & The Little Tanuki (TOKYOPOP)
Invincible #1 (Image Comics)
AUGUST 12
Norse Mythology/Critical Role (Dark Horse Comics)
Hillbilly: The Lizard of Rusty Creek Cave (Albatross Funnybooks)
Little Lulu: No Boys Allowed (Drawn & Quarterly)
Super Mercado Mix Tape (Oni Press)
Blade Runner 2019 (Titan Comics)
AUGUST 19
Investigators: Take the Plunge Sneak Peek (Macmillan/First Second Books)
Disney Masters: Donald Duck (Fantagraphics Books)
The Loud House FCBD 2020 Special (Papercutz)
Street Fighter #100: Ryu Vs. Chun-Li (UDON Entertainment)
CBLDF & BOOM! Defend Comics (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund)
The Overstreet Guide to Collecting – FCBD 2020 (Gemstone Publishing)
AUGUST 26
Only a Matter of Space Time (Random House Children’s Books)
Donut the Destroyer (Graphix)
Best of 2000 AD Issue #0 (Rebellion)
Brandon Sanderson’s Dark One #1 (Vault Comics)
Usagi Yojimbo (IDW Publishing)
SEPTEMBER 2
Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics (Ten Speed Press)
OWLY: The Way Home (Graphix)
Mean Girls: Senior Year (Insight Comics)
Naruto/Samurai 8 (VIZ Media)
Lady Mechanika (Benitez Productions)
SEPTEMBER 9
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess/Splatoon: Squid Kids Comedy Show (VIZ Media)
Enter the Incal (Humanoids)
Sue and Tai-Chan Preview (Kodansha Comics)
For additional information, or to locate a participating comic book shop, you can click here to visit the FCBD web site.
