Tag Archives: Free Comic book Day

Game Tape: FCBD Edition

by Matt

This year’s Free Comic Book Day was probably the best I’ve had in a couple of years. Everything fell into place: there was cake; there were sales; there were excellent comics. The only down side was that limits were imposed. In ten years, this was the first time I had to carefully select which books to take home. Apparently this isn’t rare; my brother in Boulder, CO, has always had limits. I’m hoping there are some books left Wednesday that I can snag then. I haven’t read all of them yet because I’m mingling these with the books I got from the sales. Here’s what I picked up on Saturday’s holy day of obligation.

The Intrepid Escape Goat was quite clever and fun. Presenting a full story, the book served as a preview for a series that’s starting in June. Imagine Harry Houdini as a goat and a globe-trotting adventurer.  I’m going to read more, but I’m not sure whether I’ll be reading the issues or the trades. This was a flip-book with the companion being Stuff of Legend. I’ve heard good things about this, and I’ve been curious. This sealed the deal. I’m not sure of the timing on this, but it shares some ideas with Grant Morrison’s Joe the Barbarian. At any rate, this was a preview for the third volume.

Jesse and I have long been fans of The Tick, but I don’t think either of us have regularly read the books/ collections since Edlund was writing it… so it’s been a while. This book was a treat for me returning to an old friend. The plot is sufficiently silly with cameos by characters I knew and several I hadn’t heard of. Thankfully, there’s a Who’s Who style supplement in the back.

Speaking of Who’s Who supplements, Image’s promised origin issue of Super Dinosaur was still just okay. Complete with supplement, we get a one-sided origin story told exclusively by the preteen protagonist. I’m betting a plot point later in the series will be the fact that the bad guy isn’t as bad as we are led to believe. I want to like this book. I love the idea of this book: wunderkind with anthropomorphic/ cybernetic T-Rex has adventures and saves the world. It’s just that Kirkman has forgotten how to write a story of all-ages. Invincible was once my favorite book because it could appeal so broadly, and it was well written. Then Kirkman turned every issue into a slasher film. Super Dinosaur sees the pendulum swing away and toward saccharine simplicity. While it’s got elements that could succeed, these first two outings read more like one of DiC’s Saturday morning cartoon from the 1980′s.

I picked up the Mickey Mouse book and Geronimo Stilton/ Smurfs book, but I haven’t read either of them. I’ve heard good things about the Mickey Mouse stuff, and I’m looking forward to Fantagraphic’s collections. Mickey never should have left his surreal roots in favor of a “friendly” dull character. I also grabbed the Atomic Robo book.

I was intrigued by the Adam West book until I saw that it was another abysmal entry in Blue Water’s bio-book series. I regretted reading the Stephanie Meyer book, and I still haven’t forgiven them for their Leprechaun books. So… it’s just as well that I didn’t see a copy. I might have been compelled to burn it or shred it.

Wednesday, I hope to grab the Captain America/ Thor book. I’m still holding fast on not picking up the Green Lantern book, but I may see about getting Slott’s Spider-Man.

That’s what I picked up. What kind of cool things did you guys get?

This Week’s Comics

by Jesse

It’s a solid week!  I’m excited enough to use exclamation points!! Here’s what I’m looking at this week!!!

BATMAN #699 - Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed the previous issue of Batman.  I’m also completely psyched for issue #700 and Return of Bruce Wayne.
BATMAN RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #1 (OF 6) - I’ve surprised myself by digging the concept of “Batman Through Time,” so I’m hoping there’s some extra page count here that will convince me to pay up the extra $1.
JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #1 – I LOATHE what DC has done to Max Lord in the last few years, and when they had the opportunity to fix things after Blackest Night, they chose not to.  Still, I enjoy the creators and I’m curious enough to see how the JLI-era Leaguers respond to New Max that I’m willing to give it a try.
MUPPET SHOW TP VOL 03 ON THE ROAD - This was a GREAT story-arc, and it just wrapped up.  Now you get the chance to pick it up for $10!  It’s deal enough that I’m thinking about moving to trades on this title.  At any rate, this one is a winner.
WOLVERINE #900 – Enough with the fake anniversary issues, Marvel, you money-grubbers.

I’ve also been poring through the rest of the FCBD releases I picked up a week ago.  I found both of Marvel’s entries –Iron Man/Thor and Iron Man/Nova — were both forgettable stories, that must have been put out solely to capitalize on the movie.  Nova?  Really, Marvel?  I was never much of a G.I. Joe reader, but I thought the IDW #155 1/2 — a bridge between Marvel’s #155 and IDW’s new #156 — was pretty good! The writing and art were both solid and it felt like a full-length story for a Free Comic Book Day book.  Dynamite’s Green Hornet, on the other hand, was a waste.  I was hoping for a guide to the umpteen Hornet books they’re releasing to make the most of their license, but what we got was a hodge-podge of random pages from books, some of which weren’t even finished yet.  I can’t imagine anyone picking up this preview and being inspired to check out one of the new Green Hornet books.

Brightest Day sparked up a little conversation last week, which was nice.  I did indeed pick up #1.  Whatever else is said about the book, you definitely get a good amount of comic for your $3, which is a
refreshing change of pace.  I’m most likely done with it, but it really is a decent read with a solid art team, I just don’t really care about the characters or events enough to keep picking it up.  However…I’m getting increasingly frustrated with creators tweaking or adding powers and abilities to already-established characters in order to make some sort of point once, and then it’s forced to be incorporated into canon.  Aquaman’s bulletproof? Really???

I also gave in and read Justice League: Cry for Justice last week.  It did have a couple moments that rang true for me, but for the most part (especially the torture scenes) I found our protagonists acting uncharacteristically and despicably, especially Ray Palmer, who’s apparently going to try to out-Pym Hank to be the biggest dick.  See also his scene explaining how he and Green Arrow were never friends for a good example of changing characters to prove some random point.  It was dark and gruesome for no good reason, which I disliked.  Robinson said in his text piece to #6 that it was by design, so knowing that he got the comic he set out to write, he succeeds.  It’s just that the comic he wanted to write wasn’t the one I wanted to read. The art by Mauro Cascioli was absolutely fantastic, though, until the issue #7 fill-in’s by Scott Clark and Ibraim Roberson ruined an otherwise stellar part of the book.

That’s it for me.  What are YOU looking at?

This Week’s Comics

by Jesse

It’s a decent-sized run this time around! Here’s what I’m looking at this week.

  • BATMAN AND ROBIN #12 – A reminder that I haven’t read #11 yet, but this has been my favorite arc of a really strong Morrison run.  I don’t expect that to change here.
  • BRIGHTEST DAY #1 - We’re going to find out why these 12 characters (out of everyone who has died) were chosen to come back to life. However, I imagine I won’t really care.  Still, it’s $3, there’s curiosity and a freebie White Lantern ring, so I’ll bite.  The most interesting thing about the White Lantern so far is how it mirrors Kyle being given his ring by Ganthet waaaaay back in Green Lantern #50.
  • MUPPET SHOW #5 - And speaking of reminders, I still haven’t read #4 yet.  Still, this book never fails to delight.  I’m a little concerned how not having Roger Langridge’s art will affect the book, but since he’s still writing I’m unconcerned.
  • SHADOWHAWK #1 - Okay, I’ll cop to this being nostalgia tinged with an unsafe level of curiosity, especially since Shadowhawk symbolizes a LOT of what was wrong with comics in the early 90′s. Still, much like Image United (where’s issue 3, guys?!?!?!) this one’s siren song may be too strong to resist.  I’m weak, I know this.


Lots of solid freebies came out last weekend and I’d just like to run through the few I’ve read so far.  I haven’t gotten to the big titles, but here are some of the indies I was able to go through.

Love and Capes - This honeymoon issue was a great intro to the book, which I’ve been wanting to check out since hearing Thom Zahler on the War Rocket Ajax podcast.  A cute book with some genuine laughs, this is the “what if Lois and Superman” were really married book.  Well done, I’m just tired of the Superman/Batman/Wonder Woman analogues in every indie book about superheroes (and I say this hypocritically knowing I have plans for one, too).  Let’s invent some new characters, folks.
Oni Press Free For All - All three shorts were entertaining, but Salt Water Taffy by Matthew Loux towered way over the others…Over anything else I’ve read from FCBD 2010, actually.  It’s rare that a comic can elicit laughs (or laffs, if you’d rather) from me, but SWT did.  I’m definitely going to pick up the first 3 collections now. Well played, FCBD…Well played.
Overstreet Guide – It’s probably about time that Overstreet tried protecting its own interests in comics, but I would have much rather seen a real comic.  Kids can totally learn the anal-retentiveness of comic collecting on the streets, they don’t need a handbook.
Irredeemable/Incorruptible - This a great intro to Mark Waid’s world where Superman goes bad (there we go again!).  I don’t know if these were complete issues of the first issue of each respective book, but it was a great primer, and I think I’m going to check out more in trades.

So, that’s it for me.  What are YOU looking at?

Scenes From FCBD 2010

by Jesse

Here in Denver we had an incredible turnout for Free Comic Book Day.  Even though I got a late start (and missed the chance to see the Batmobile from the 60′s movie…heartbreaking!) the crowds and lines were long.  Some of the more obscure books were long gone by the time I showed up, but it’s terrific that there was such a big turnout.  Note to self: leave the house earlier next year!


The Best Day of the Year!

by Jesse

It’s almost upon us!  The best day of the year!  Yes, Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday, May 1st.  Not  only is it a chance for those of us who are already addicted to catch some great sales and snag some free books, but it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to evangelize about our love of the art form.  With comic book movies among the highest grossing, college courses on comics catching on, and an unprecedented breadth of genres to pick from, we are truly looking at a golden age of acceptance.  Do your part: get the word out.

There will be haters, but now is the time when we must put our best foot forward and make sure that we do not let someone judge an entire medium by it’s weakest examples. The format of the novel shouldn’t be suspect because Hardy Boys novels are juvenile, and comic books shouldn’t be denigrated because Deadpool is, either (not that there’s anything wrong with the Hardy Boys or Deadpool).

FCBD is our chance to yell at the world that comics have everything to offer.  Use your voice.
I’d like to throw out some quick plugs for comic shops that the Colorado half of the L.E.M.U.R. Comics Blog will be hitting this weekend.  These are not coincidentally also the shops cool enough let us put out fliers in their stores*, but they’ve historically put on great showings for FCBD.

Mile High Comics – Thornton
8806 Washington Street
Thornton, CO 80229
(303) 457-2612


I Want More Comics
10343 North Federal Boulevard
Westminster, CO 80260
(303) 466-1620


Hero Headquarters
8757 North Sheridan Boulevard
Westminster, CO 80003
(303) 426-0768


Time Warp Comics & Games
3105 28th Street
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 443-4500

*Not that anyone said no, these are all the shops I asked.  Denver has plenty more quality comic retailers worth checking out.