Ask Away: FCBD FAQs

What is "Free Comic Book Day?"
When is Free Comic Book Day?
Are they really free?
Is every comic book store in the world doing this?
Then how do I know where to go to get my free comics?
Is this the first Free Comic Book Day?
What's the difference between the Gold and Silver sponsor books?
Can I link to your site?
Who's involved in FCBD?
What's the big deal about comic books anyway?
Is this just happening in the U.S.?
How many comics do I get?
Can you send me a comic?
Which comics are available?
Can I grab any comic I want?
How can I find out more?
What can I do to spread the word?   
Can libraries participate in Free Comic Book Day? 

1. What is "Free Comic Book Day?"
As the name implies, Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops.

2. When is Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day is traditionally held the first Saturday in May each year. In 2024, the event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 4!

3. Are they really free?
Yep!
Each participating shop has their own policies on how many free comics you can receive, but you will receive at least one free comic if you enter a participating shop location. Check with your retailer for their policies and plans for FCBD.

4. Is every comic book store in the world doing this?
If you're asking about convenience stores with a spinner rack of comics in a corner somewhere - the answer is no. This event celebrates the independent comic book specialty shops, thousands of which exist in North America alone. Each one is unique in its community, with a style and personality all its own, and each one carries a full line of comics, graphic novels, toys and related products.
While we hope every one of these shops will take part, each shop determines on its own whether or not to participate. You can check our shop locator for a comic shop near you. We also recommend contacting a shop directly to see if they plan to participate in FCBD. 

5. Then how do I know where to go to get my free comics?
As the first Saturday in May approaches, www.FreeComicBookDay.com will launch a shop locator service that will show you participating retailers in your area. Sign up for our e-mail newsletter to be alerted when the database is ready, or check back in early April.

6. Is this the first Free Comic Book Day?
No! The first Free Comic Book Day event was held in 2002. Over the years, thousands of shops around the world have given away millions of free comic books to interested readers. We're proud of the continuing success of FCBD and look forward to growing the event each year!

7. What's the difference between the Gold and Silver sponsor books?  
Good question! The Gold and Silver tiers reflect the availability of those titles at participating comic shops. Gold sponsor titles will be available at every participating comic shop. Silver sponsor titles may be available at participating comic shops. Because all participating shops are free to order as many (or as few) Silver sponsor titles as they wish, a participating shop may not have all the Silver sponsor titles available in their shop. However, a participating comic shop will always have all the Gold sponsor comic books availble (while supplies last). Check with your local comic shop for a full list of what titles they will have available on FCBD. 

8. Can I link to your site? 
Of course! 

9. Who's involved in FCBD?
Free Comic Book Day is facilitated by a panel representing all parts of the comic book industry: retailers, publishers, suppliers, and Diamond Comic Distributors. Each year, publishers apply to provide comic books at cost to retailers, who in turn give them away for free. Diamond handles logistics for the event, shipping comics to shops, andmarketing and PR for the event.

10. What's the big deal about comic books anyway? 
Comic books are an original American art form, created in the early days of the twentieth century. They are fun to read, featuring a wide range of diverse story lines that capture the imagination of the readers. That's worth celebrating in our book - we're proud to be a part of this wonderful medium.

11. Is this just happening in the U.S.?
Of course not! Shops in Canada and internationally celebrate Free Comic Book Day, too! Any comic book shop in the world can participate in Free Comic Book Day, although there may be some limitations on which titles are available in which countries due to licensing and other considerations. If you want your local shop to get involved, let them know!

12. How many comics do I get?
That will depend on a lot of factors including how many comics does the shop have to give away, how many total people visit that day, how many people got there before you, etc. Each shop has a different FCBD policy. The answer to this question will depend on which shop you go to and when. We encourage you to view the shop profiles on our FCDB Shop Locator service for more detailed information, or call you local retailer directly and ask them their policies for FCBD.

13. Can you send me a comic?
No. This website is for informational purposes only - we do not have comics to give away. Free Comic Book Day is celebrated in comic book shops and as a way to get customers to visit the comic shops in their local community. To find a participating comic book shop, see the FCBD Shop Locator.

14. Which comics are available?
Each year, the comics offered change. Click here for a list of this year's available titles. 

15. Can I grab any comic I want?
Shops will be giving away special comics for the event - you cannot simply take any comic book from the rack. Click on The Comics to see the many choices of comics being given away for free this year.

16. How can I find out more?
To get updates about Free Comic Book Day, sign up for our e-newsletter. It goes out monthly, so you won't be deluged with spam, but it'll have plenty of cool info for you! Plus, check this website as the first Saturday in May grows near for new information. Click here to sign up!

17. What can I do to spread the word?
Tell your friends, your family, your classmates- anyone you think might enjoy comics for the first time- or should start reading them again

18. Can libraries participate in Free Comic Book Day? 
While Free Comic Book Day is a celebration of local comic shops, libraries can sign up to receive comic books and promotional materials to host Free Comic Book Day events in communities where local comic shops are not easily accessible. Click here to learn more about the Free Comic Book Day Library Program.