Celebrating its 15 anniversary in 2016, Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is designed to appeal to a broad range of readers. The day is a great event for fans of all ages to find a comic they will love as they explore all their local comic book shop has to offer. The day of the event is Saturday, May 7, 2016.
Comic book specialty retailers worldwide have pushed their ordering to record-breaking levels for FCBD 2016. There will be more than 6 million free comic books available. This year’s order for FCBD titles is a 7% increase over 2015’s total of 5.6 million comics ordered. The number of participating stores remains at over 2,300 specialty shops across the US, Canada and worldwide, including several in the GNA (Greater Nashville Area).
“Free Comic Book Day is a wonderful event for independently owned and operated comic book shops,” said FCBD spokesperson Dan Manser. “It provides them a great opportunity to connect with new and existing customers and gain momentum moving into the summer months and the rest of 2016.”
This year, Free Comic Book Day features a whole new selection of thirty-eight Silver Sponsors books for the comic book industry’s most anticipated annual event. Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment, IDW Publishing, and Image Comics are among the many comic book publishers offering 50 special comic book titles for Free Comic Book Day 2016.
Retailers on the FCBD Selection Committee chose those 50 titles, including 12 Gold Sponsor Comics and 38 Silver Sponsor comics. They will provide fans a wide range of stories to choose from as well as new genres and publishers to discover. Titles from this year’s Gold comics include Marvel Comics Avengers #1 and from Dark Horse Serenity/Hellboy/Aliens. Titles from this year’s Silver comics include The Pink Panther, Grumpy Cat (And Pokey!), Strawberry Shortcake, Sanjay and Craig, Assassin’s Creed, March, Spongebob, Dark Horse All-ages Sampler, DC comics Silver Book, Attack on Titan Anthology Preview, and Marvel Captain America #1.
“We have an incredible selection of Silver comics for fans for Free Comic Book Day this year, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 15th anniversary of the event than with such a diverse range of titles for readers of all ages,” said FCBD Marketing Director Dan Manser. “Free Comic Book Day is such an important day for celebrating fans and their local comic shops, as well as introducing new readers to comics. Our Silver level supporters have really helped make this year special with such an interesting selection of titles.”
For more FBCD news and updates, to locate a participating comic shop and to see all 50 free comics available on May 7th, visit the FCBD website at www.freecomicbookday.com. Also become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/freecomicbook and follow FCBD on Twitter at www.twitter.com/freecomicbook.
Call these Nashville area stores for hours and special events for Free Comic Book Day:
1) THE GREAT ESCAPE, 5400 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN, 37209 (615) 385-2116.
They are having a 40% off sale on back issues; other special titles more than the 50 Gold and Silver tiles; and you can get five free issues of the 2016 FCBD titles per customer.
2) RICKS COMIC CITY, 2710 Old Lebanon Rd. Suite 3, Nashville, TN, 37214 (615) 883-7890. Rick’s always has artists and cosplayers all day, so go and have family fun.
3) STARBASE 1552 COMICS, LLC, 2176 Hillsboro Road #120, Franklin, TN, 37069 (615) 933-8843. This new store will have artists Dave Dorman, Paul Bennett, Jim Hall, Allen Zaborski, and actor Aaron Brewster (HYDRA Agent in Captain America: Civil War).
4) THE GREAT ESCAPE, 105 Gallatin Pike North, Madison, TN, 37115. Call (615) 865-8052 for info.
5) COMIC CITY TOO, 1574 Gallatin Pike N, Suite C, Madison, TN, 37115. Call (615) 868-3339 for info.
6) OUTER LIMITS COMICS, 209 S Royal Oaks Blvd, Franklin, TN, 37064. Call (615) 790-2392 for info.
