May 3, 2007
The Price is Right
This Saturday is the sixth annual Free Comic Book Day, which is exactly as awesome as it sounds. Independent shops all over the country will be handing out a hearty selection of comics to anyone who wants one. The idea emerged as a way to introduce people to the art form who might only associate comics with this guy or a childhood fascination with Superman. These days comics are as diverse as any other medium, from politically-charged graphic novels, to Japanese manga, to complexly-woven takes on classic super heroes.
DCist will be heading up to locally-owned Fantom Comics in Tenleytown, where they've thrown down the gauntlet by offering lots of free swag on top of handing out comic books. The store's clean design is also welcoming to first-time comic shoppers and hard-core fans alike. Twice an hour (on the :15s and :45s) Fantom will ask pop-culture trivia questions with the chance to win merchandise worth up to $100. They're open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- our crude calculations make that 22 chances for picking up extra goodies.
Big Planet Comics in Georgetown, Bethesda and Vienna is also participating in Free Comic Book Day.
So after joining the mobs at Spiderman 3's Friday night premier and before beginning the Cinco de Mayo margarita chugging be sure to snag a free comic. You might just call it the Best. Day. Ever.
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It's also worthy to note that Spider-Man 3 is showing at midnight tonight at the Uptown in Cleveland Park (best place in D.C. to see a movie).
Hmmmm. Free copies of She-Hulk, Captain Planet, and Baby Huey? I think I'll pass.
Now, if you're talking Flaming Carrot, Jimmy Corrigan, R. Crumb, or some of that dismemberment fetish manga, I'm all in.
Don't forget Big Monkey Comics in the Logan/U Street area (14th between R and S).
The Uptown is only a decent place to a picture if you are short or average height. Personally, I'll stick with the stadium seating.
Big Monkey isn't listed as a participant in Free Comic Book Day, but is also a fine store.
I picked up Tokyopop's Choose Your Weapon collection from After Time in Old Town Alexandria. Good cross section of Manga styles. Definitely aimed at teens.