Free Comic Book Day tomorrow May 6th what are you going for? 0

[jcjames]

On 5/6/2023 at 7:32 AM, 01TheDude said:

does anyone know of any LCS doing free comic book day in Phoenix-- preferably near the Ahwatukee area?

 

@jcjames ?

Don't know of any LCS near Ahwatukee. Hardly any in the SE Valley area.

Frankly, I haven't hit up a LCS in probably a year or two. Last one I hit was up in Snobsdale and they were pretty high $ for mid-lowish grade non-key SA and wouldn't budge an inch on pricing (I asked $100 for a book they priced at $110, nope, no deal).

One of my favorites is just too dang far especially since he switched to FB selling shows and again jacks up the price even for cash-in-hand offers since there's always a sucker on FB shows.

Ah well... good luck on your FCBD ventures today dude! 

[Axe Elf]

They really shouldn't put out the Freak Brothers comic until later in the day--who reads the Freak Brothers before noon?

First time I'd ever tried to get one of these free comic books on a Free Comic Book day--in fact, I think it was the first time I was ever inside a store that only sold comics--and I was too late to get a Freak Brothers.

So I had to turn around and buy a copy for ten bucks (including shipping) off of daBay when I got home.

Almost picked up a copy of the Conan book as a consolation prize, but then I figured why break the seal on collecting anything other than Warrens and Freak Brothers?  I don't need another rabbit hole hoovering up my money.

[OtherEric]

On 5/6/2023 at 12:56 PM, Axe Elf said:

They really shouldn't put out the Freak Brothers comic until later in the day--who reads the Freak Brothers before noon?

First time I'd ever tried to get one of these free comic books on a Free Comic Book day--in fact, I think it was the first time I was ever inside a store that only sold comics--and I was too late to get a Freak Brothers.

So I had to turn around and buy a copy for ten bucks (including shipping) off of daBay when I got home.

Almost picked up a copy of the Conan book as a consolation prize, but then I figured why break the seal on collecting anything other than Warrens and Freak Brothers?  I don't need another rabbit hole hoovering up my money.

Wish I had known, I should have a second copy on the way from MCS... I grabbed a few Warrens from them, and picked the FFFB book as one of the freebies in case, then found one when I was out today.  Would have sent you my extra gratis.

[Axe Elf]

On 5/6/2023 at 3:31 PM, OtherEric said:

Wish I had known, I should have a second copy on the way from MCS... I grabbed a few Warrens from them, and picked the FFFB book as one of the freebies in case, then found one when I was out today.  Would have sent you my extra gratis.

I'd still be paying you $5 or whatever for shipping, so I'm ok with $10 and no middleman.  Thanks though; that was a nice offer.

[jdandns]

The LCS around the corner ("Players" on Perris Blvd. in Moreno Valley, CA, just outside of Riverside) has a nice event for this every year. Pretty good crowd, like usual. They clear out a lot of stuff at half-price including comic sets and action figures. Each person gets three free FCBD books, no purchase necessary, but if you spend $10 you get to pick a ticket for a prize. Most of them were a couple of random comics and some non-comics items like posters and smaller toys. Didn't win (or even see) what the better prizes were, but it's usually some nice stuff, to the store's credit.

To make sure I was supporting the shop (even though I don't shop there often), I dropped about 60 bucks on some Simpsons Bongo comics and Archie Sonics (at regular price). My selections on the FCBD were Freak Brothers, Frazetta, and Madballs Vs. GPK.

The Freak Brothers comic is awesome, loaded with stories. I only skimmed through it, but they seemed to pick strips that were not so heavily reliant on the drug humor. My wife is nice enough to come with me to these things, so she enabled me to basically get 3 more titles which were: "Dawn of DC", "Marvel Voices", and the new Jeff Lemire book, "Fishflies". (We both like the show "Sweet Tooth" based on another of his comics, so that was cool. Maybe this one will get a NettFlix series someday, too.) 

Beyond those, if picks were unlimited, my next choices after the 6 we got would've been The Archie Cursed Library, Star Wars High Republic, Umbrella Academy, Conan, Smurfs, TMNT, and Spidey/Venom, all to say it's a pretty nice selection this year.

Of course, not so long ago, I'd have used up all my choices just on books I actively collected like Simpsons, SpongeBob, and Bob's Burgers. There aren't a whole lot of monthlies I'd collect still being published these days which is a big part of why I don't shop there often. Even so, this has really become a great day for comics retailers and fans, so I hope our guy does well with sales and hopefully makes a few new regular customers. 

Edited May 6, 2023 by jdandns

[Vintage_Paper]

I was looking forward to getting Star Wars - but my shop was out of them. Also missed out on getting the TMNT, Archie, Smurfs. I did get a Dogman and the Garbage Pail kids one though.

[oldmilwaukee6er]

Had a grand day despite my car foibles. Picked up the lady and a friend and we headed out about a half hour later than anticipated. The lady was a good sport, even if she was just in it for the Dairy Queen. We hit Collector’s Edge North, a very small shop with small selection, for 2 comics each and small purchases. I bought some magazine bags and boards here.

Vortex Comics was the second stop for 2 each and I was pleased to see his shop thriving. I only ever get there once a year-ish… and the back issues are picked over for me, but the new comics selection was great, and I got copies of the new TMNT / Usagi Yojimbo crossover Wherewhen. The lady plucked a 2022 Trick or Treat Dr Aphra #1 reprint… a comic I’d not seen before. Bonus! The chef picked up some X-Men back issues; having finished 100-200, he is now working on the next 100… a good run to be sure. The owner did state that “if it stays like this, I might do it again next year.”

Next, we headed west out of Milwaukee to Oconomowoc and a gem of a shop – Kowabunga Comics. Both the chef and I had picked this store recently so we focused on the freebies, the food drive, and the thank yous. They have a new-to-me back building they open for FCBD and other events like small indoor / outdoor comic fleas. They offer 1 per customer and 1 each for food donations (no limit), so we had plenty of credits and I didn’t feel the need to use all of them. It was here I was able to get the Frazettaverse book. I also got a small Frazetta poster (self-portrait) … they had another free table (unlimited) with a bunch of prior year FCBD books, comics promo items, card sleeves, posters, Warhammer and more. The chef picked up an eclectic mix. The lady used her credits to pick Freak Bros extras.

Stick and move to Dairy Queen for small treats but by now we were proper hungry and decided on a bowling alley cheeseburger. Burnham Bowl is traditional home to Milwaukee’s 40-year plus comic and toy show (1^st Sunday of even months) and the cheeseburger of my childhood. Wind the streets to Collector’s Edge South, the flagship of what was once 4 stores in the Milwaukee area. South is also home to the basement vault, opened once per year in January for $2 - hundreds of long boxes of backissues from Bronze to Modern and an actual walk-in vault with Silver. Edge South is the most generous, has the best selection, and this year was no exception- 3 for any rando, 6 if they like you or you’re wearing comic gear. The owner does love to judge the line, a simple pleasure for him to point and say, “3 for you” “6 for you” and if I’m being honest I get a kick out of it too… an exasperated Karen “why do I only get 3!?” I took 4 of my 6, mostly dupes by now and we bought a TPB and supplies. I thanked and let him know, that we appreciate his participation and recognize FCBD is not free. He was appreciative and then insisted on checking the chef’s stack of 2 freebies for stowaways– lol.

My LCS, Lost World of Wonders, is one of the biggest and most successful but they did not participate again. Last year was a surprise and a gut punch. At least this year they posted on social media it due to staffing vs demands of the day. What does it say about FCBD if one of the best stores in town chooses NOT to participate? I’m not sure, but it’s a little disappointing.

One last stop before home, the Turning Page, a mix of Pokemon, vintage video games and new comics. The back issues comics, Bronze to Modern, are using pretty good with decent throughput via local shows. Was surprised to find that they were participating in FCBD - 2 each- despite not being listed on the website and they still had a small mix of 2022 and 2023 titles. The chef picked up the first appearance of Bishop. I looked hard but did not buy / take anything, my thoughts turning back to car repairs. Fine day!

Edited May 7, 2023 by oldmilwaukee6er
hyperlinks to stores

[awakeintheashes]

I was able to duck into a shop late in the day with my kids. The Star Wars book I was after was gone, but my son grabbed the Dogman comic and daughter got a Spidey and his Amazing Friends comic.

I think my one shop may have put one in my pullbox since I stopped by on Friday for some books and let them know I probably wouldn’t make it.

I also picked up one of the regular Dogman books for my son who blows through those and a book for my daughter. 

[Robot Man]

Hit my local shop Amazing Comics in Long Beach. Although they have no back issues, I buy all my supplies and occasional reprint books there. Wonderful folks!

Here is what I picked up. Limit was 3 but I had my wife and grandaughters with me and the fact that I am somewhat of a regular they let me pick what ever I wanted.

Seemed to be a much better selection this year. I went for the Freak Brothers which didn’t disappoint and was pick of the litter. I haven’t actually had time to read them but thumbed them a bit.

Fishflies looks interesting. I love horror stuff.

The Overstreet is usually just OK but this one is full of comic history by legends in the industry. Always love how they cover the whole spectrum of the hobby.

Crimebusters was a suprise. Looks OK and as a bonus reprints the first Boy Comics story.

The Cursed Library, another horror related book looks promising…

I am Stan was a must have. Interesting but maybe the worst of the bunch art wise.

Spiderman & Venom, meh, looks like the same old, same old, but I fondly remember his first appearances by McFarlane so had to get it.

Frazettaverse was looking forward to it and just grabbed it. Was hoping for maybe some cool reprints or even cover paintings but not a thing from him inside! BIG disappointment!

Overall a fun pile to read and check out and very grateful to the great folks at Amazing Comics for giving them to us.

Man, the art in comics these days is simply terrible. Computer generated and cartoony. I know why I don’t pay up for new comics any more. I wonder about the future of the medium…

My grandaughters had a blast. Was so fun to spend the day with them and got them to experience actual comic books. Their favorite? Dog man. They love “potty jokes” and the underpants stuff. They are 6 and 8 and have a little different tastes. Was sorry there were no Disney princesses or current movie comics but they got some cool ones and had fun. There was no limit for kids. 

Amazing did also have this older Halloween Spidey Friends book. Inside the stiff covers were Halloween masks designed to be cut out and used. Also a fun first page instructing them how to read a comic book which was clever.

Had a fun day and always look forward to it! 

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by Robot Man

[southern cross]

I picked up these yesterday, I think a couple were from last year's fcbd.

While I was there I picked up about $80 in nice high grade raw bronze books.

Since the store has to buy the free fcbd books I like to buy back issues at the stores as a way of saying thanks for participating.

It compensates them from the people who just turn up once a year for free comics and don't buy anything in the store at the time.

[Robot Man]

Anybody find one of these? Not on the list. My son in law was given it at a store and was told it was rare. Real violent. Came bagged and boarded. Never heard of it but I’m not into moderns. 

[Raze]

I called a friend at a new comic book shop because I was not able to make it over there on the sixth and asked him if he would hold me the dog man and an investor gators books for my kids and he said yes. I went yesterday and he gave me, a bag filled with all the free comic book day books that were released. 
 

If anyone has any interest in any of them, let me know. I don’t really want all of them. I have flipped through a few of them that peaked my interest, but I just sold my modern collection a month ago.