The NCS and Free Comic Book Day!

Encouraging kids of any age to discover and read comics has no downside, and to that end there is a wonderful annual event called Free Comic Book Day that happens in comic book specialty shops across North America and worldwide. Held the first Saturday in May each year, the premise is simple: any customer can walk into a comic shop and receive a free comic book!

Now in its 12th year, the folks who run Free Comic Book Day and the NCS are joining forces to help promote comic books as a gateway to fun reading and literacy. Some NCS members already attend FCBD as guests for signings, supporting their local shop. This promotion is a great thing not just for comic books and their publishers, but for the entire cartooning industry.

We’ve asked members to promote comic books and FCBD on the day or days leading up to the event this year, which is Saturday, May 4, 2013, in their strips and comics. That might mean a mention in your favorite daily comic strip, promotion of the event in a comic publication, or reaching out to fans and readers on websites or through social media. This is a fantastic program to encourage readers young and old to stop in their local comic book shop, get a free comic book and see what the world of comics and cartooning has to offer and interest them.

The FCBD folks are encouraging NCS members and/or their local chapters to contact their local comic book shop directly and inquire about doing a book signing or personal appearance there. To find shops near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com. You might see some local cartoonists at FCBD in your comic book store on Sat., May 4th!

NCS MEMBERS (and all professional cartoonists)- there’s still time if you haven’t made plans to help promote FCBD. Follow the links above for more information and call your local comic book store about FCBD events.

Since its inception, more than 27 million free comic books have been distributed to almost 8 million FCBD attendees. Last year, more than 3.5 million comics were given out, and the event generated over $1.8 million in free publicity for the event, comic books, and comic book shops. For more information, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.

In honor of the event, The Norm creator and NCS member  did a series of dailies about visiting a comic book shop on FCBD a few years ago, and he has graciously given us permission to post then here. Click on any comic for a closer look… enjoy!