The Secret Behind What Free Comic Book Day Is Really All About
by Omar Spahi
Free Comic Book Day was upon us on May 4th, 2019. (May the 4th be with you…)
It was a perfect day for comic book stores, fans and creators. A chance for stores to get the fans in that they so desperately deserve. More importantly, it was about learning about some new characters and comics.
And catching up on some Trade Paperbacks that people had been recommended to read.
But here’s the think that stood out to me:
KIDS!!!
This day wasn’t for adults. It was for the kids.
A chance for the kids to learn that there are a million stories out there about their favorite movie character and dive deep into stories about their favorite characters.
Most importantly, it was a chance for them to become the next generation of life-long comic book fans that keep creating comics alive.
Here are some of the big winners of Free Comic Book Day:
- Lumberjanes by Lilah Sturges, Polterink, Kelly Thompson, Savanna Ganuchueau and Jeanine Schaffer.
- Dear, Justice League by Michael Northrop, Gustavo Duarte, and Jim Chadwick
- Hope by Dirk Manning, K Lynn Smith and Heather Antos
- Animosity Tales by Marguerite Bennett, Elton Tomasi, Marco Lesko, Marshall Dillion, and Mike Marts
After tabling all day at Hi De Ho Comics in Santa Monica, California it dawned on me that kids were reading these books, but more than that, they were obsessed with these books. They couldn’t be pulled away if they were forced apart.
It’s powerful to see kids glued to BOOKS instead of screens and to me that’s what the day was about.
So, next year when Free Comic Book Day is coming around, make sure to invite any kids you know (with their parents) and help spread the love and passion of comics to the next generation.
Trust me, they’ll appreciate it.
