Free Comic Book Day is Coming to Quincy on May 2 [Interview]

Here's something that hasn't quite made it to the status of "national holiday," but maybe it should! Since 2001, comic book stores across the country have been participating in an annual Free Comic Book Day on the first Saturday in May. In 2015, Free Comic Book Day falls on Saturday, May 2. We spoke with Daniel Newkirk from Underdark Comics and Games in Quincy about what Free Comic Book Day means to Quincy/Hannibal area comic book fans.

For those that aren't familiar with it, what is Free Comic Book Day?

Free Comic Book Day is a world-wide event sponsored by dozens of different comic book publishers like Marvel (Spider-man, Avengers), DC (Batman, Superman), Dark Horse (Aliens), Image (Walking Dead), IDW (Transfromers, TMNT) and many other smaller publishers. These publishers print comics specifically to be given out for free on this day. Many publishers will use this day as a way to break into a new event, tell additional stories that wouldn't normally go to print or feature a kind of "catch up" book where you can find out whats been happening in the story so far. Some of these books will also be "sampler" like books where you can read a few pages from a lot of different works the publishers are doing.

What are the rules for Free Comic Book Day? 

The rules for Free Comic Book Day are pretty simple. Go to your local comic store, have a great time and get free books. Its just that simple. Each comic book store has their own rules and guidelines for getting the free comics. The only world-wide rule we all have to follow is that the books are free. They're never sold. Our rules we'll be using are everyone who comes in can help themselves to two of the FCBD (Free Comic Book Day) Comics, then for every $5 they decide to spend in the store that day they get an additional comic.

What will be the highlights of this year's Free Comic Book Day?

This year has a great line up of books for FCBD. DC will have a book called Divergence that ties into their currently ongoing Convergence event. Marvel is kicking off their Secret Wars event with Secret Wars #0 There will also be many more familiar faces featured on books this year. Characters like Megaman, Sonic the Hedgehog and The Tick will all have their own books. Some Anime Favorites will also be featured this year, Street Fighter, Pokemon, Attack on Titan and Avatar: Last Airbender all have books, as well. There's something for everyone in those books. Fight Club, Transformers, Bob's Burgers, Dr. Who and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are all featured books, so there's something for everybody.

Any tips for those attending Free Comic Book Day for the first time?

The biggest tip that can be given to first time goers is to have a good time. FCBD Is supposed to be about fun. There will be a lot of people in comic stores this weekend and each one has their own preference for books. One of my favorite things to do is ask someone about their favorite comic and see the light in their eyes and how excited they get about them. I've found books I never would have found on my own this way. Talk to the people around you and have a great time! Also, Free Comic Book Day Comics are their own grouping of books. Not every book in the comic store is free. These books will usually be in their own section and easily found. If you aren't sure of the rules, all you have to do is ask. Ask the people working at the stores, they'll be happy to help you. Just don't be shy.

How many Free Comic Book Days has Underdark participated in? What are your specific thoughts on the promotion?

This will be Underdark's 2nd Free Comic Book Day under the new management that took over in December 2013. I love Free Comic Book Day, its an international holiday to me. I love reading the kooky, off-the-wall stories some of the publishers write. I love reading characters that have fallen out of the lime light and I love seeing all of the smiling faces of people picking up those same books. FCBD Is also a great point for children to pick up their first comic, or collectors who have stopped reading to catch back up with their favorite characters. The day is 100% about the books and the joy they bring to all people. I couldn't' support it more.

Will there be special hours or any other promotions/sales in conjunction with Free Comic Book Day?

Underdark will be opening early that day at 10 a.m. and closing at our normal closing time, assuming things are calming down. Longtime customers know that our closing time is pretty flexible. Well also be running promotions all weekend long. Saturday and Sunday both we'll have 10% off the entire store. That includes board games, Magic cards, dice, action figures, and everything else we have to offer. We'll be offering 15% off on all trade paperbacks and graphic novels (those are the big collected editions) and 20% off all of our stock of vintage and back issues.

Underdark is more then just a Comic Book store, we also love our games. This weekend we're going to share those games with the comic collectors who come in. If you spend over $25 in your visit to the store, we'll have a dice game where you can win coupons, gift certificates or maybe even more free comic books. Finally, FCBD is usually only 1 day a year (the first Saturday of May) but we like to make it into a whole weekend event. So we'll be continuing all of the FCBD sales into Sunday and handing out the FCBD books that day as well.