The biggest event in the comic book industry, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), is Saturday, May 3. Participating comic book specialty shops across the U.S., Canada, and worldwide will pass out comics for free, and each will host their own community events such as costume contests, drawings by guest artists, creator signings, raffles, door prizes, photos with costumed characters, and other community building activities. Every shop celebrates its own unique way so fans can experience their local comic shop’s personality with a thriving community of pop-culture enthusiasts.
Celebrating its 13th year, 2014 marks the biggest FCBD yet with 60 free comic book titles for new and devoted fans, along with other treasures at their local comic shop. Gold and Silver sponsors’ comic books include titles that are great for kids and adults, including Teen Titans Go!, Archie, The Simpsons, Hello Kitty, Hellboy, Guardians of the Galaxy, Grimm Fairy Tales, Transformers, and more.
“Free Comic Book Day gives new and devoted comic book, entertainment, and pop-culture fans the opportunity to get great titles for free, while participating in fun and interactive comic shop events,” said FCBD spokesperson, Dan Manser. “One of the best parts about Free Comic Book Day is discovering that you are a part of a giant community of like-minded fans who love the same stories, TV shows, and movies that you do. The comic shop is really a great place to meet your new best friends and discover the stories that will entertain you and enrich your life.”
In Nashville, The Great Escape Charlotte Avenue has noted comic strip artist Guy Gilchrist as part of Free Comic Book Day. From 2-3 pm, the internationally renowned artist hosts a workshop on how to draw and write cartoons; anyone interested in attending should bring their sketchbooks, pens, pencils, and erasers. Prior to the workshop, Gilchrist will meet individually with attendees to critique portfolios, and do sketches and signings for individuals while offering original artwork for sale.
Gilchrist’s Nancy comic strip is syndicated by United Features, and runs in 350 newspapers in 80 countries. He is also a writer of 49 children’s books, and has illustrated a number of other comic strips.
Also at The Great Escape Charlotte at 10 a.m. will be Joel Gibbs, co-director for Marvel animated features’ Iron Man Extremis and Thor And Loki- Blood Brothers. Gibbs will discuss the process used for translating comic book stories to animation and will show part of an ‘X-factor’ motion comic project never seen anywhere else.
Other participating shops In the Nashville area include Rick’s Comic City at 2710 Old Lebanon Rd., Suite 3, Nashville, Tenn., 37214; The Great Escape Madison at 111 Gallatin Pike North, Suite B, Madison, Tenn., 37115; or Comic City Too at 1574 Gallatin Pike N, Suite C, Madison, Tenn., 37115. All FCBD participating store locations, as well as complete descriptions of all 60 FCBD titles, along with four-to-six page previews, are online now at
