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A Celebration: Free Comic Book Day 2018 is Saturday 5th May. Photo credit: freecomicbookday.com

How can you get involved in the fun?

By Mélissa M Azombo

Free Comic Book Day takes over stores worldwide again Saturday 5^th May, as a celebration of comic books sweeps the globe.

Participating stores and libraries including Forbidden Planet, Orbital Comics, Maida Vale Library in the UK and more, will be holding events this Saturday, distributing a selection of free comic books for comic fans & newcomers alike.

FCBD Exclusive: Doctor Who Free Comic Book Day variant from Titan Comics

Entertainment store Forbidden Planet will have an event to promote the brand new Doctor Who comic. A signing will take place from 13h00 – 14h00, with guests George Mann (author), Rachael Stott (artist) & Simon Myers (artists), who will also be taking part in some live sketching. Store manager Lou tells TMOS they choose to hold FCBD events “to add a sense of community. With comics, you can form friendships, like when you go to a convention.”

Customers will receive a goody bag upon entry to the store with a random selection of 3 titles. They take part in the day’s events because “it’s nice to have a celebration of something you love.”

Cover: Orbital Comics FCBD 2018 2000AD Signing

Orbital Comics also say they are participating in the day because “it’s a great way to introduce a new readership to comics”. They also see it as a way to “do something special and fun for the comic community who have supported us.” People also come dressed as characters on the day to raise money for the Make A Wish foundation. This happens in collaboration with Heroes Life UK (a group of cosplayers which also operates at conventions and private events to raise money for Great Ormond Street) and is fully supported by the store.

Customers can queue up for free comics (limited to 5 per person) from 10h30 then attend a signing of the 2000AD comic and meet 10 members from the creative team, including Matt Smith, Alec Worley & Colin Bell.

Selected libraries including Maida Vale and St John’s Wood Libraries will also have cartoon and crafts workshops.

There are a total of 50 exclusive FCBD titles!

The event that takes place on the first Saturday of May every year found its roots in May 2002, after being proposed as an idea by retailer Joe Field the previous year. The day is co-ordinated by Diamond Comic Distributors in an effort to promote comic books, whereby stores order comic books and give them out free of charge.

You can find your local participating store here

Happy Free Comic Book Day!