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Embrace Your Inner Geek With Free Comic Book Day (Magic!, Penny Arcade, Dragonboy) [Daily Bloggity Entry #69]

Posted May 3rd, 2014 at 1:00 PM by El Héroe Oscuro



Date: 03 May 2014
Time: 1:59 AM ET
Mood: Sleepy ~

Over the last few years we have been graced through the movie business with a slew of action filled, tightly suited, butt-kicking superheroes ranging from Iron Man to Batman, Spider Man to the Hulk, and Thor to Superman. However, no matter how much fun we've had watching these high quality masterpieces, I believe it's important that we try to remember where all of these superheroes originated...can you see where I'm going with this yet? Ah yes, the good ol' paper back comics books. The first one originating in 1933 in old American newspapers, comics allow us to embrace our inner geek and become enthralled in unique worlds that test how far our imaginations can be stretched. However, comics have become a dying breed as of late. Thanks to technology that has allowed us to have books in our possession with a simple swipe of our fingers, the establishments that have been the heart and soul of the comic book entertainment industry have steadily dwindled over the last ten years. However there has been a movement that has been attempting to rekindle the fiery spirit of comics book lovers, and that, my friends, is in the form of Free Comic Book Day.

Daily Music - "Rude" by Magic!
Spoiler:

Every first Saturday of May is when we have something entitled Free Comic Book Day. Obviously just by telling by its name, it is a day in which customers are allowed to pick out a comic of their choice with no charge. It was invented to spur the interest of new customers and have them falling head over heels for comics books as many others have fallen victim for, as well as to be a day for store owners so give a thank you for the continued support of returners who constantly buy comics from their stores. The idea was first spurred in 2001 by a retailer by the name of Joe Field who noticed that there was a positive correlation between the film industry's movies based off of comics and comic book sales in the 1990s. One of the backers of this idea, Then-Image Comics publisher Jim Valentino, thought it would be a good idea to have the first Free Comic Day the same weekend as the opening of Spider-Man. And since then, the rest is history.

Daily Comic - "One Plausible Scenario" by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade
Spoiler:

Sure the inventory of free comics may not seem that large - 57 comic books this year to be exact - but that's not the point. It is supposed to peak your interest into the many other comic books that are lining the walls of the store, ranging anywhere from classic superhero comics like the Man of Steel to imported Japanese manga to retro newspaper favorites like Archie and Garfield. However, one of the coolest things about Free Comic Book Day in my opinion is that since it's creation in 2001, it has paralleled with the release of a superhero movie the following week. In 2002 the event was shortly after the original Spider-Man was released, 2003 with X2, 2004 with Spider-Man 2, skipped 2005 and 2006, 2007 with Spider-Man 3, 2008 with Iron Man, 2009 with X-Men Origins: Wolverine, 2010 with Iron Man 2, 2011 with Thor, 2012 with The Avengers, 2013 with Iron Man 3, and this year with the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Daily Video - "Dragonboy" by animator DragonboytheMovie
Spoiler:

Unfortunately for myself, I will be unable to attend the events happening at my local comic book store because of my work schedule. However, I have always been a huge fan of comics. That is why in every entry of my blog I have a section dedicated to comics, dubbed the "Daily Comic." For myself, Zac Gorman is by far my favorite writer. His comics are mainly video game related, but what makes them so special besides the very unique art style of them is the deep meaning they can sometimes have. It breaks the fourth wall by being in a video game setting, but providing positive messages and themes that can relate to our everyday lives. Just search for Zac Gorman in my blogs and you'll find a few pieces that I've highlighted. Anyways, did you attend Free Comic Book Day today? What is your favorite comic? How do you think comic books and it's stores will fare as everything seems to be going digital nowadays? If you're not into comics, do you think you may become interested in them now? Comment below as I'd love to hear and discuss with you what you have to say about this topic!

‡ As always, the "Daily Bloggity" is self written by myself and includes just some of my opinions on different mediums. If you have a subject that you might want me to touch on, feel free to PM me or comment below! I would love to hear some of your ideas! Tune in tomorrow at 5PM Eastern Time for the next edition of the "Daily Bloggity!" Cheers! ‡

- elheroeoscuro

Spoiler:

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  1. Old Comment
    Judge Mandolore Shepard's Avatar
    I actually did participate in Free Comic Book Day. Earlier today I went and got the following free comics:
    Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
    Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
    Steam Wars
    and a mature content military themed one

    Also this is the first one I have been to since the early 2000s.
    Posted May 3rd, 2014 at 1:29 PM by Judge Mandolore Shepard Judge Mandolore Shepard is offline