FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 4 SPONSORS, COMICS NAMED

[MattBrady]

Press Release

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: FOUR-WARD!
Comic Book Industry Gears Up to Make History Again with Fourth Annual Event

Free Comic Book Day 2005 will be celebrated around the world on May 7, 2005, a date voted on by comic book retailers. As in years past, on Free Comic Book Day anyone can walk into a participating comic book specialty store and receive a free comic book, with no purchase required (while supplies last).

"This year marks the fourth annual Free Comic Book Day," said Free Comic Book Day Committee spokesperson Barry Lyga. "Its success has been proven beyond a doubt, as stores enjoy record crowds, fans get a holiday all their own, and new readers discover the wonders of the local comic book shop."

The available comics will vary by store, but all are special editions published specifically for the event. They range from all-ages-friendly titles to fare intended for sophisticated readers. "The selection of titles is a testament to the diversity in the industry," said Lyga. "More than anything else, Free Comic Book Day exists to show that there is a comic book for every age, reading level, and taste. This year's variety of available free titles once again makes that point."

Free Comic Book Day editions for 2005 are available for order by comic book retailers in the February 2005 edition of Previews. The complete listing of participating publishers includes:
GOLD SPONSORS (new or reprint editions that will be in every participating store)

Archie Comics - Betty & Veronica
Beckett - Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai #1
Bongo Comics - Bongo Comics Free Comic Book Day Gimme! Gimme! Giveaway
Dark Horse - Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
DC - The Batman Strikes! #1
Devil's Due - Devil's Due Special Edition
Gemstone - Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge
Image - Flight Primer
Impact Books - Impact University
Marvel - Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four

SILVER SPONSORS (Check with individual retailers for availability of new or reprint editions from these publishers): AdHouse Books, Alternative Comics, Arcana Studios, Caption Box, Comics Festival (Legion of Evil Press), Drawn & Quarterly, Fantagraphics, G.T. Labs, Heroic Publishing, Jetpack Press, Keenspot, Oni Press, Renaissance Press, Serve Man Press, Sky Dog Press, Top Shelf, and Wizard.

Also participating are the following Bronze Sponsors, who have donated free quantities of previously published titles to the event: A Fine Line and Tokyopop.

Fans can promote the event and support their local comic book shops with Free Comic Book Day baseball caps, t-shirts, and polo shirts, available from participating comic book stores before the event.

Each year's Free Comic Book Day has seen a gain in the media exposure given to the event - in 2005, coverage will once again be secured at local, regional, and national levels through a variety of programs and initiatives.

More information and regular updates - including information on participating publishers' titles - are available at the official Free Comic Book Day website, www.FreeComicBookDay.com. Press inquiries should be directed to info@freecomicbookday.com

[adamcasey]

Dreamwave?

[March Haire]

Most awesome. I love trying new things at FCBD. Again, Beckett looks to have the best offering, as they launch a comic with a free title! I love that.

[algertman]

why won't MARVEL and DC put out some great free comics

Marvel could put out MARVEL: team up #1 or Astonishing X-Men #1, and DC could out out JLA: Classified #1 or Superman issue where he faces off against the elite for the first time

[Michael P]

Originally posted by algertman
why won't MARVEL and DC put out some great free comics

Marvel could put out MARVEL: team up #1 or Astonishing X-Men #1, and DC could out out JLA: Classified #1 or Superman issue where he faces off against the elite for the first time

Because they're using FCBD as a chance to try and hook young readers, not placate aready existing ones.

In any case, I'm more excited about Gemstone. Does that cover mean they're reprinting "Only a Poor Old Man" this year?

[Sean Walsh]

Originally posted by algertman
why won't MARVEL and DC put out some great free comics

Marvel could put out MARVEL: team up #1 or Astonishing X-Men #1, and DC could out out JLA: Classified #1 or Superman issue where he faces off against the elite for the first time

I'd like to see them take an upcoming project or 2 and preview them in a FCBD issue - either via a short couple-page preview of the 1st issue, or even a new short intro story, exclusive to the FCBD issue, that later gets collected into the TPB.

[mavinga]

Originally posted by adamcasey
Dreamwave?

Yeah, right.

[Bill_Nolan]

Originally posted by Michael P
In any case, I'm more excited about Gemstone. Does that cover mean they're reprinting "Only a Poor Old Man" this year?

From the web site:

WALT DISNEY'S UNCLE SCROOGE FCBD EDITION

Carl Barks’ "Only a Poor Old Man" has been chosen for Free Comic Book Day this year. Originally published in Dell’s Four Color #386 (1952), this is the first feature-length adventure story starring Uncle Scrooge! A near mint copy of the original comic book lists in the 2004 Overstreet Price Guide for $1,600.00, but on May 7, the story is free! Wraparound cover.

7x10, 32pgs, FC..........FREE!

- Bill

[Egg]

Arcana Studio is extremely excited to be a part of so many good projects in 2005! Free Comic Book Day, the Tsunami Disaster Aid Project, the Hurricane Relief Project, and a few more that have yet to be announced. 2005 is our year to give!



Egg Embry
Editor - www.ArcanaStudio.com
Writer - www.KamenComic.com

[BlueThunderArmy]

IMHO, DC and Marvel have never done a very good job with FCBD. I know there's the "appealing to the kids" argument, but does this appeal to kids? When I was a kid I wouldn't have wanted "The Batman Strikes!" I would have wanted "Batman."

Yes, the indies are more aimed at getting current comic readers to try something new, but I suspect those types of promotion are much more successful, anyway, so why not.

[Johnny Smith]

Doesn't it reduce the collectibility by putting "Free Comic Book Day" on the cover?

My two bits,

[rockieman]

I personally think Marvel and DC (possibly Image and Dark Horse) should put out mini anthologies. One could be aimed at kids and the other at the teen/adult audience. This way they could introduce more than just Spidey or Batman. They have thousands of characters and hundreds of titles to give people a taste of something new (both new and existing readers).

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by Johnny Smith
Doesn't it reduce the collectibility by putting "Free Comic Book Day" on the cover?

It does make for a bit awkward if you're ever to pass it along, but it's a good conversation starter, especially if you were to give one of last year's issues to someone now and start talking about Free Comic Book Day.

That being said, I think Beckett is a class act for starting up a new series last year (Ballad of Sleeping Beauty) and this year on Free Comic Book Day. That shows real commitment and understanding of the day as opposed to offering loss-leader supposed 'children' stories (Marvel, DC, I'm looking in your direction...)

I'm also excited about the Alternative Comics one, the one last year was great.

[Kamandi2]

I think DC making the Free edition one of the animated series is a great idea. I always purchase (yes, purchase) extra copies of several of the Free Comic Book Day comics to give away for Halloween.

Last year I gave away the Disney Edition, the Archie Edition and the Teen Titans Go! book. They were huge hits with the kids. Based on the selection this year I will probably be buy 25 each of the Betty and Veronica, Uncle Scrooge and Simpsons comics to give away. I'm up in the air about whether or not to add the DC or Marvel ones this year. They don't go over as well with the younger kids that come trick or treating.

[Zadillo]

I love FCBD for the indy and unusual stuff, so this looks pretty good to me (it was FCBD that actually hooked me on some of my favorite titles like Peanut Butter & Jeremy, My Monkey's Name is Jennifer, Stray Bullets, Courtney Crumrin, Leave it to Chance, etc.).

Beckett definitely looks like my most anticipated publisher again this year....... it's funny, I was just reading Ballad of Fallen Angel #6 (a title I got hooked on thanks to FCBD), and was intrigued by the ad at the end for Roninhood, but wasn't so sure if I was going to buy or order it).

-Zadillo

[Ynaught]

Originally posted by adamcasey
Dreamwave?

Hate to break this to ya, but Dreamwave has gone out of business.

[Michael P]

Originally posted by Bill_Nolan
From the web site:

WALT DISNEY'S UNCLE SCROOGE FCBD EDITION

Carl Barks’ "Only a Poor Old Man" has been chosen for Free Comic Book Day this year. Originally published in Dell’s Four Color #386 (1952), this is the first feature-length adventure story starring Uncle Scrooge! A near mint copy of the original comic book lists in the 2004 Overstreet Price Guide for $1,600.00, but on May 7, the story is free! Wraparound cover.

7x10, 32pgs, FC..........FREE!

- Bill

Sweet.

And Dreamwave may be gone the way of the dodo, but they're still listed as a Silver Sponsor in the article. Probably an oversight.

[Kusanagi]

Ow, The Batman Strikes!

[Waspinator]

Devil's Due - Devil's Due Special Edition

Which Gi Joe comic is that based off of? Regular, or one of the newer one's?

[Jason Seaver]

Oooh... Is that the first issue of a new "Runners" arc?

[crunch-o-matic]

I'm excited to see Bongo participate.

I hope to see more Halloween ashcans too, a Bongo one would fit in perfect.

[Bill_Nolan]

Originally posted by Jason Seaver
Oooh... Is that the first issue of a new "Runners" arc?

Again, from the web site linked at the end of the article:

RUNNERS #1 REMASTERED FCBD EDITION
by Sean Wang

Catch the sci-fi adventure from the beginning in this newly-remastered first issue! Life as an intergalactic smuggler isn’t easy for Roka Nostaco and the alien crew of the Khoruysa Brimia. They’ve got an important run to make, but they’ll have to get past a few obstacles first. For starters, they’ll have to deal with a marauding band of pirates intent on stealing their cargo. And when they find a surprise waiting for them in their cargo bay, it only gets worse from there. Every page of artwork has been remastered and touched up for the special FCBD edition of this highly-acclaimed series. A great jumping-on point for new readers.

7x10, 32pgs, B&W……….FREE!

- Bill

[DF2506]

Johnny Raygun!!!

I really liked the Free Johnny Raygun comic from last Free Comics day. I wanted to check out the regular Johnny Raygun comic but I haven't had the chance (or the money...).

I am definitly going to pick up the Johnny Raygun free comic. Runners look interesting too. Anybody suggest any of the other free comics?

DF2506

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by Ynaught
Hate to break this to ya, but Dreamwave has gone out of business.

I know, it was sort of a "Wha? Huh?" moment on my part (speaking of "Wha? Huh?", I'll be impressed if that is out before Free Comic Book Day.)

[NeroMan]

Haha, Courtney from the webcomic Skirting Danger is on the cover of the Keenspot issue, even though the artist of Skirting Danger hasn't made any promise to contribute any material to the comic (nor did she consent to Keenspot using her character in that).
But you know... webcomics.

Ha Ha.