As of this writing, Free Comic Book Day is still about nine weeks away, but comic book stores across the country are eagerly awaiting the day in which free comic books take center stage. I wanted to take a moment to discuss the importance of Free Comic Book Day and remind you that it is not simply a day in which you just get free comic books. There is much more importance of the day than you might have thought of.
Free Comic Book Day
The Reasons Behind Free Comic Book Day
Telling fans that there is a day in which they can get free comic books will bring them out in droves. The goal behind Free Comic Book Day is to reward long-term readers, bring former readers back into the fold, and to encourage new readers. A strong focus is placed on children because if comic book collecting is going to survive past our lives, we need to encourage another generation to put down the game controllers and pick up the printed pages.
Spotlighting on Free Comic Book Day
You can take a look at the listing of free comic books being offered on May 4, 2013, by following this link. The comics being offered are often ones which the different publishing companies wish to spotlight. This could be to increase the masses already reading the title or (in the case of smaller companies) to wake the fans up to what else is being offered outside of the Marvel and DC banners.
Benefit to Retailers
The push for free comic books helps the retailers by getting bodies in the store. In many cases, a person might walk into a particular comic book store for the first time and be amazed by the variety of titles or other merchandise being sold. It is a time for the retailer to spotlight his or her store and to show the masses what they are missing. In many cases, comic book store owners will also add other products to their Free Comic Book Day offerings. They might use the day to clear out some of the reduced comics they have in stock or other items which need to be cleared out to make room for new stock.
Encourage You to Read
About a week ago, I spoke with two customers in the store who explained that they look forward to Free Comic Book Day each year. Both admitted they do not read most of the free comic books they take home on the special day of the year. I encourage you to read the free comic books you take home. Your eyes might be opened to something new. The worst that can happen is that you might spend twenty minutes reading something you don’t like. Twenty minutes is a small enough period to give just about anything a chance.
I look forward to seeing many of you on Free Comic Book Day. Even though the day is still a ways off, plans are being put into motion all over the country as retailers prepare for the day they share with their customers.
