#EffTheWin - Me and Free Comic Book Day 2015: A Free Comic Book? Gimme!!

Back when I was a kid, I can personally say that comic books helped a lot in developing a majority of my skills. My mother always tells me that the first reading material that I learned reading from is comic books - so technically, I learned to read through comics. I acquired my drawing/art skills (penciling, inking, and even colors and shading) from comics and of course, my writing and imagination was influenced by the comic books too.

Being a fan of comics, I was really intrigued with this one day in May that comic book stores around the globe embark on a quest to lure out comic readers - old and new - from their hiding places with a lineup of  good quality and colorful reading material. The best thing about this lineup? It is for "Free."

The day I am  talking about is Free Comic Book Day.

To the uninitiated, Free Comic Book Day is celebrated annually since 2002. It is a celebration of the comic book industry with the target of attracting new readers to the medium, bringing in lapsed readers back, and reward the support of fans who still support (by purchasing) the medium.

What is so special about it? Well, on the day itself, any person can walk into any participating comic book store and pick up one of the year’s line-up of free comics free of charge. A comic book for free? Who does not want that, right?

I missed out on last year's Free Comic Book Day, so I really made it a point that I will participate on this year's event.

For 2015, Free Comic Book Day falls on May 2nd. Beforehand, I checked out the lineup of free material that will be up for grabs and I was really thrilled to find out that there will be free stuff featuring Attack on Titan and Doctor Who (Yay!). As a Whovian, I cannot miss that. Fortunately, Fully Booked is one of the participating outlets and I have access to two of them, it will just cost me a little walkathon from my workplace.

Two Outlets = Two Chances of Nabbing my targets

Since the outlets are situated in malls, being early is a must since a lot of comic book fanatics will also be lining up to get their hands on their preferred limited edition free comic book. Upon opening of the mall, it was a foot race to make sure you will be the first in line. As for me, I did not run like hell, but I made sure that my pace was fast. I may not be the first in line, but I am definitely sure I am in the first 20 in the line. At the first outlet I visited, they do not have stocks of the Attack on Titan comic book, so I made sure to grab the Doctor Who special issue and then made a dash to the other outlet.

Fans Line Up for their Free Comic Book Fix

When I arrived at the other Fully Booked outlet, my hopes are up that I will meet my quota since I saw that the Attack on Titan issue was available there (I even snapped a photo of it). Alas, when it is my turn to grab my free comic book, there was no more left of the Attack on Titan special issue. Tough luck! (Guess it was grabbed like hot pancakes, huh?!)

My Haul for the Day:

I may not have met my quota, but still I am happy with my haul. I got the Doctor Who special issue and another free comic book (I chose the Simpsons special issue since I grew up watching the animated series)

All in all, it was a great experience participating in the Free Comic Book Day. Not only did I get free, good quality comic books, I also got to find out that, surprisingly, a lot of people are still into comic books. I have assumed before that with the advent of technology, the comic book industry will fade to oblivion, but it was not the case as I saw a variety of people - young and old - lining up to get their free comic books. Definitely, it is a great indication that comic books are still relevant at this modern age and time.

I will definitely make it a point to participate again in the next year's Free Comic Book Day...you should do too.


Until next time,
 

Ciao!