Free Comic Book Day 2015
Here’s all the information on this year’s 14th annual Free Comic Book Day. Take a deep breath and here we go!
Free Comic Book Day is the first Saturday in May. We break the event day up into two separate yet equally thrilling events.
Because we are allowed to give the books away starting at midnight, we have an early release event beginning at 10pm on May 1st and lasting until 2am. Books are given out at midnight, but there’s lots to do before then.
The day event begins at 10am on Saturday May 2nd, and last until 7pm.
Updated Info
Some last minute points about Free Comic Book Day 2015!
The space to line up for Free Comic Books is our old store front, which is 100 feet from out current shop. (17448 Lorain to be exact.) This is also the location of the artists, art gallery and photo op area. We open up this area at 10pm to allow access to everything except the free comic books. Access to the free comics begins at midnight, and we are running parallel lines to ensure it moves quickly, just like last year. Make sure you come in and take a picture in front of our back drop, as this will enter you in the costume contest. (and get you a really great picture too!)
The bar will be in the foyer next to the comic shop, and that will also open at 10pm. The bar will be a one way street, with people entering from the outside doors (HR Block) and exiting though the comic shop. This is to avoid what was a very uncomfortable yet temporary bottleneck last year. (People love that beer) After the initial rush (let’s say 10:30pm) access will be through the comic shop only as per usual. Keep the beer in the comic shop.
The shop will be open during the entire event, and will actually not close at all on Friday, opening from noon until 2am. Remember, 50% off all back issues all weekend.
The line for the day event will also start at the old store front, and everything will be opening up at the same time, 10am.
Lines for the Rocker Car rides will be forming in front of the comic shop. You’ll see a little space we’ve set up where the ride loads and unloads. Take a FREE spin around the parking lot between 10am and 2pm, courtesy of Kamm’s Plaza. (they asked what kind of support we would like on the day, and we answered with “Rocket Car Rides”
Also on Saturday morning, around 11am, our graphic designer Jameson Campbell will be around to sign 100 FREE copies of the Free Comic Book Day 2015 Lithograph. While buying a lithograph is a true sign of support for the event, we wanted everyone to have the special opportunity to meet the guy who creates our marketing campaigns year round. You’ll see a big blue X on the ground for where to cue up for this exclusive.
If you’re having difficulty navigating anything, find someone with a FCBD Lanyard and ask them for help. It’s what they’re there for and they’re all great people.
We have updated bio’s for the artists that will be doing sketches this year, along with links to their URL’s so you can check them out at the link below before hand and find their times below as well!.
Quite a few artists have done exclusive prints for the show, so do your research!
We are overwhelmed by the amount of positive media attention we’ve gotten for the event, but this article from Scene Magazine and Josh Usmani was our favorite. Please give it a read and find out a little more about or motivations for the day.
Finally, we’re going to let writer Gail Simone do our pitch for us. As she tweeted through social media this week:
“Just a reminder that the comics that shops give away on Free Comic Book Day are not free to the stores. They have to pay for the bundles of books, and then they also pay shipping. So it can be very substantial to host FCBD in a store with a large attendance. Most stores are happy to do it and do an amazing job making it a fun event. Please thank them by doing some shopping there ON Free Comic Book Day. Maybe buy that trade paperback or statue or action figure you have been thinking about, or have the employees suggest some new books. If you do it on FCBD, the message that this is a good, worthwhile expenditure of time, money and resources will be heard and everyone benefits! Promote your local comics shop, says me!”
Thank you Gail, that’s why we love you.
Basic Event Info
We have over 25,000 comic books to give away, 10 per person. These books were created especially for the day, and you can check out what’s available at www.freecomicbookday.com . The lines for each event start forming earlier every year, so the best advice we can give is:
COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION.
Books are split 50/50 between both events, and all 50 titles will be available, with Gold titles being more abundant than Silver Titles. First in line at both events will be the proud recipient of all 50 books as a testament to your fortitude. The first 200 people in line at the early release event will get one of two graphic novels, either the Astonishing X-Men Gifted Hardcover written by Avengers director Joss Whedon, or the Avengers Heroic Age graphic novel, an expansive fantastic collection of Marvel first issues. Both books are a $24.99 value.
 |
 |
The first 200 people in line for the day event will get to choose between one of two free all ages magazines, either Avengers Earth’s Mightiest Heroes or Marvel Superhero Squad. Both are great for kids and are a $9.99 value.
 |
 |
We have two exclusive items to purchase at the event the year. The first is our custom FCBD 2015 lithograph, made to commemorate not only the event, but the release of Avengers 2 as well. Designed by local graphic designer Jameson Campbell, this image is a tribute to the classic Avengers issue #16 but with a Cleveland spin on it. They are 11×17 on card stock paper and sell for only $4 each.
We will also have an exclusive FCBD 2015 patch, designed especially for us by National Star Wars Trivia Champion Kevin Liell, featuring Baby Groot. Kevin was even featured on the tv show Comic Book Men an expert on all thing Star Wars. The patch is very limited and sells for only $5.
Both items are not only cool to have, but purchasing them helps to show your support of Free Comic Book Day within our shop. Also, to help you save you a few bucks, back issues will be 50% off all weekend. (So be sure to bring your want lists!) We’ll also be having a raffle for a $100 gift certificate, so make sure you fill out a slip before you leave the event..
All weekend long we will also be exhibiting a full gallery art show curated by Jeff Hulligan, with 26 local artists doing their renditions of DC characters. Many artists will be doing multiple pieces, and if you can’t afford to take home the artwork, limited prints of the art will be available for only $5 each, many of which will be signed and numbered by the artist.
Artists in the show include: (deep breath)
Sean Burns – Erin Cauruso – Randy Crider – Amalia Degirolamo – Eric Dull – Ryan Finley – James Giar – James Gulliams – Ben Hale – Jeff Hulligan – Ryan Kacsandy – Chad Kimes – Clare Kolat – Angela Oster – Mark Overlow – Deanna Piotrowski – Henry Pope III – Abdul H. Rashid – Ashley Ribblett – Jeff Ritchie – Aaron Sechrist – Tim Switalski – Shawny Walthaw – Jaine Walland – Robert Walland – Craig Worrell
Costumes are encouraged at both events, and we will be having a professional photographer taking pictures in front of our eight foot logo backdrop. Heather Campbell; will be taking pictures from 10pm to 1am at the early release event, and Laura Wimbels will to there from 10am to 2pm at the day event. This service is free and is highly recommended.
Pictures will be available online post event on our website and Facebook pages. The staff of CNJComics will pick their favorite pictures and these people will win prizes sponsored by LEGO. At the early release event, expect to see appearances by The Rebel Legion, The 501st, The Mandalorian Merc, and the Cleveland Ghostbusters. We’ll have mobile photographers too, so be sure to ham it up when you encounter them. Try to hashtag any pictures you take at the event #cnjcomics for maximum reach.
Here are some details specific to each event:
EARLY RELEASE EVENT: (10pm to 2am)
A highlight of the event each year, 24 local artists will be doing FREE sketches on a first come first serve basis. The line up includes:
Early event 10pm to 2am.
David Balan – Dee Piotrowski – Rick Lozano – Tim Switalski – Clare Kolat – Shawny W – Ron Hill – Ben Hale – Erin Schechtman – Rev. Jim Giar – Craig Worrell – Ryan Finley – Randy Crider – Tom Szorady – Janie Walland – Robert Walland – Mark Overlow – Greg Golem – Ashley Ribblett – Len Peralta – Amalia DeGirolamo – Chod – Steve King Justin Leone
Again, sketches are FREE. Artists are drawing on backer boards, but will do sketches in sketch books or on blank covers if you have one. (Sketch covers are available for sale at the shop.) Best to bring a picture reference if you’re looking for an abstract character. Many artists will have items for sale at their table, so if you’re feeling grateful for the sketch, be sure to show your thank by buying something. Artists can also be contacted post event to do more extensive commissions. (Artists are also empowered by the shop to step away from any interaction they feel is rude or demanding, so remember to be cool.)
At 10:30pm we’ll be opening up our pop up bar in the foyer attached to the comic shop. This year the staff of Carol and John’s have created two FREE exclusive micro brews for the occasion. John Shearer, Ben and Ryan have created the PRIME AMBER ALE, inspired by the final incarnation of the Avengers villain Ultron. This beer is brewed with Willamette Hops and Chocolate Malt, and is comparable to beers like Bells Two Hearted and New Belgium’s Fat Tire.
John Dudas, Jim and Jason have created the Mark 45, modeled after Iron Man’s latest armor. Brewed with six different types of hops, this incredibly drinkable pale ale is truly worth of it’s namesake.
Other beers and non-alcoholic beverages will be available, as well as desserts from Peace Love and Little Donuts; including their new beer infused donuts!
Alcoholic beverages may not leave the shop and our bartender works for tips, so be sure to do the right thing. Be sure to have your ID out and ready as well.
The early release event shuts down promptly at 2am, as we need to clean up and get ready for the day event. Please respect this cut off time. (ie, don’t be THAT guy)
DAY EVENT: (10am to 7pm)
A new set of artist will be setting up to do free sketches as well as some who are pulling double duty. The day line up of artists at this point include:
10am-2pm
Angela Oster – Lindi Rae – Dave Wendt – Robert Zealand – Amalia DeGirolamo – Sequoia Bostick – Adam Pate – Christopher Schmidt – Phil Fried – Ryan Finley – Greg Golem
2pm-6pm
Dee Piotrowski – Clare Kolat – Steven King – Abdul Rashid – Ryan Kacsandy – Mark Laubenthal – Henry Pope – Christopher Schmidt – Ryan Finley – Phil Fried – Greg Golem
Starting around 11am, the amazing Janie Walland will be doing free superhero face painting for an couple hours near the free comic area. If your kids forget to wear a costume, they still have this opportunity to hero up!
A highlight of this year is the addition of The Rocket Car, which will be giving free rides around the parking lot between 10am and 2pm.
Loading and unloading will be occurring right in front of the shop. Don’t miss your chance to ride in this mobile piece of Cleveland history, straight out of the Euclid Beach Amusement Park when it closed in 1969.
From noon until 7pm, local art collective The Rust Belt Monsters will be painting a twelve foot mural live and inspired by the Superfriends Waterski show that was at Sea World in Geuaga Lake from 1976-1979.
Identified by their trademark work shirts and painting for hours at a time, they are quick to remind viewers of the hard work ethic that makes the rust belt special. Coming from diverse styles and backgrounds, each painting is comprised of six individual voices that harmonize into a distinct collaborative style. The resulting work of art is a lush animated narrative that captures the energy of the event where it was created and celebrates the people who attend.
My first memory as a kid was my mom taking me to the Superfriends Waterski Show in 1976 when I was three years old. This is also where she bought me my first comic book (The Superfriends Treasury Edition) and where the first brick of the comic book shop was metaphorically set in place. Come see the Monsters but their spin on this great moment in local history. While this show was advertised on the back of all DC Comics in the 70’s, you could only see it in two places, Florida and a land locked lake in Northeast Ohio. This mural will be hung proudly in the shop upon completion.
Wrap-Up
At 7pm on Saturday, we will gracefully close up and call it a night.
Here’s the number one thing to remember about Free Comic Book Day, and it’s sort of a paradox. The free comics are not the most important thing about free comic book day .
It’s all about proudly showing your love of comic books and engaging your local comic book community. Everyone at Free Comic Book Day is there because they love comic books.The key
to a successful day? Participate. Engage others. Be a friend.
Please help us spread the word about the event by sharing this image in your social media linked to our website www.cnjcomics.com
Here’s some things you can do to prepare for FCBD 2015 at Carol and John’s Comic Book Shop:
- Do your Research. Look up the books that are available at www.freecomicbookday.com . Read up on visiting creators artists at http://www.cnjcomics.com/site/cnjcomics-artist-bios/
- Avengers 2 comes out that weekend, be sure to include that into your weekend plans.
- Plan to get to the events early for the best selection. (but remember, you don’t have to wait in line to engage the event, just to get the free comics. The only line is to get the free books)
- Get your costume ready and dress for success. If you’re only wearing 15 pieces of flair, you’re doing it wrong. (What do you think of people who do the bear minimum?)
- Bring a friend and plan a group outing.Help us to expand our community by bringing someone new into the event and our culture.
- Spread the word about the event by sharing your FCBD plans on social media. Use #cnjcomics to tag your photos and posts at the event.
- Help turn the event into a success for us by shopping a bit at the shop if your budget allows. Remember, this is your holiday. Buy that thing you’ve been thinking about getting.
- As we like to say about the day, if not now when? This is the day to get that thing you’ve been looking at, and it helps us to ensure this day continues at the level to which it has grown.
We have a stellar staff and some amazing volunteers this year. Be sure to look for that lanyard around someone’s neck if you’re having trouble navigating the event.
Once again: Participate. Engage others. Be a friend.
This is your town and your hobby and you have every reason to be proud of both.
Thank you as always for your continued support of our efforts.
