Elf as Mara Jade

Ah, Free Comic Book Day. The first Saturday in May that many geeks eagerly anticipate. The past few years I’ve been working on that most awesome of days but this year I happened to be free and ended up working with folks from a local geek convention (Geek Media Expo) to do some promoting at one of the Nashville comic stores.

If you’re not familiar with FCBD, it’s been around for quite a few years now and happens just once a year in May. You may be thinking that you have to buy something in order to get that free comic book and while there are many stores that offer more free items if you make a purchase over a certain amount, there is a large selection of awesome comics right there for the taking. All you have to do is show up. No purchase necessary. (though often it’s hard to resist buying more with so many great comics surrounding you)

Bright and early Saturday morning I found myself dressed as Mara Jade and hang out on the sidewalk in front of Rick’s Comic City, waving at kids and trying to ignore the many boxes of comics next to me that were only $0.50 each. I had fun, handing out fliers, getting folks to sign up for the raffle, waving my lightsaber at little kids.

Then the boxes of comics tempted me and I started to poke through them. This turned out to be good and bad. Good because I found myself striking up conversations with folks browsing next to me (and getting them raffle tickets and GMX fliers while they were right there) but bad because I ended up with an armload of comics that I wanted. I mean, I’ve never had the chance to read much Sandman but there were many issues, originally priced at $3 and $4 for only $0.50 each! Needless to say I gave in to temptation just a bit.

I also walked away with several of the free comic issues and a few free hardbacks as well (some will make great Christmas and birthday gifts for friends).

If you’ve never had a chance to attend Free Comic Book Day, make sure to put it on your schedule for next May and plan to stop by your local comic stores. Seriously, besides the lure of free comics, most stores have some amazing deals going on as well.

Did you get a chance to attend FCBD? Pick up anything truly awesome?

(photo taken by Ray+Wendy)

Written by: Elf Writer