EVENT: Free Comic Book Day 2010

Free Comic Book Day is back for 2010, and Gotham Comics in Onehunga Auckland, are using this as an opportunity to promote the medium and give back to the local community.

This Saturday - May 1st, participating comic book shops around the world are giving away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores. As part of a community commitment, Gotham Comics are organizing donations from Free Comic Book Day to go towards funding the Onehunga Primary School Library. Last year's FCBD at Gotham Comics saw over 800 people pass through the store, they gave away over 3,000 comics and raised nearly $500 for the Onehunga Primary School Library.

If you attend FCBD at Gotham Comics you receive:

- 2 FREE Comics for walking in-store

- 2 FREE Comics for wearing a SUPERHERO costume

- 2 FREE Comics for a GOLD coin donation to ONEHUNGA PRIMARY SCHOOL

As entertainment, they also have special in-store guests: IPW Wrestlers, Outpost 42 & Rebel Legion(Star Wars), Pirate City Roller Derby Girls and a Dr Sketchy Drawing session! And if that wasn't enough, there will also be 50% OFF all new comic issues!

Above: 'Free Comic Book Day: Yow!: A John Stanley Library Grab-Bag'. Copyright Drawn & Quarterly 2010.

You can preview this year's selection of Free Comics on offer at the FCBD website. It includes offerings from all the major publishers including: DC Comics, Marvel, IDW, Drawn & Quarterly, Boom Studios and many more. My personal favourite from last year would have to be Drawn & Quarterly's 'John Stanley Library Sampler'. Featuring some of his classic kids comics, it's sure to entertain and charm both young and old alike. There's another issue on offer this year, so make sure you check it out.

Above: 'Free Comic Book Day: Ironman/Thor'. Copyright Marvel Comics 2010.

Archaia's 'Mouse Guard Sampler' is also likely to be a hit with kids of all ages, and with 'Ironman 2' opening this week (and a 'Thor movie on the way), you can expect the 'Ironman/Thor' comic to disappear off the shelf in record time.

Gotham Comics is located at 264 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga Auckland; the event runs from 10am-4pm, so make sure you drop by and support this great cause and pick up some FREE comics!

Above: 'Free Comic Book Day: Mouse Guard'. Copyright David Petersen 2010.

You can also check out Free Comic Book Day nationwide this Saturday at your nearest comics retailer:

Heroes For Sale: 277 Karangahape Road, Auckland.

King of Cards: Shop 115 Queens Arcade, 34 Queen St, Auckland.

Mark One: 551 Victoria Street, Hamilton. Graphic: 106 Cuba Mall, Wellington.

Company of Heroes: 35 King Street, Palmerston North.

Comics Compulsion: 181 Manchester Street, Christchurch.

-AK!