On Saturday, May 5, local comic book shops and bookstores will celebrate Free Comic Book Day, an annual event open to comic readers old and new.
Popular publishers like Marvel, DC and Dark Horse, along with independent publishers including IDW, Titan, Dynamite, ONI, Image and BOOM will offer an exclusive selection of Free Comic Book Day-themed books.
Some Murfreesboro locations planning FCBD festivities:
Z’s Comic Lair
3863 Franklin Road
What to expect: Co-owner Patrick Zambrano, who opened the store about a year and a half ago with his brother Nick, says he expects a large crowd in the shop.
What they’re excited for: Avengers #1 (which previews a new series), Power Rangers, books by independent publishers.
About the shop: “My brother and I have always shared a passion for comics and toys,” Zambrano says. “We are truly a small, family-run business. We specialize in current comics, Funko POPs, Key comics and have a large selection of back-stock comics.”
FCBD Hours: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
___
Linebaugh Library
105 W. Vine St.
What to expect: Over at the Linebaugh Library, the staff expects somewhere between 350 to 400 people for Free Comic Book Day festivities. “We give away free prizes, check out graphic novels and show whatever superhero movies I can get a hold of. Other branches participate too,” says Garrett Crowell, Linebaugh Library supervisory associate and volunteer coordinator.
What they’re excited for: Cromwell says he’s most excited for Avengers, Brian K. Vaughan’s Barrier, Doctor Who, Berlin, Tank Girl and The Amazing Spider-Man, which ties into both Infinity War and the Infinity Watch crossover.
About the library: “FCBD allows us to partner with Diamond Comic Store as a co-sponsor, increases numbers and money as more people get through doors, improves community relations and increases literacy foot traffic,” Crowell said.
FCBD hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
___
Outer Limits Boro
1244 NW Broad St.
What to expect: Store owner Chuck Cagle expects somewhere between 350 to 400 people.
What they’re excited for: “We’re excited for both Marvel and DC,” Cagle says. “Some independents look pretty nice.”
About the shop: “FCBD is always the biggest day of the year. It gets our name out to the community,” Cagle says. He adds, “We opened 20 years ago, and I’ve had it for the last 12 years. We specialize in vintage and current comics, toys and games.”
FCBD hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Grand Adventures Comics
1103 NW Broad St.
What to expect: “We’re expecting 500–600 people on FCBD. (The event) helps with community involvement, people knowing it’s here (and brings) a huge influx of people at the store,” says Grand Adventures sales associate Patrick Cruz.
About the shop: Grand Adventures has been open for 13 years and specializes in comics and games.
FCBD hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
___
Books-A-Million
(inside Stones River Mall) 1720 Old Fort Pkwy.
What to expect: “We can use this giveaway event as an opportunity to guide new readers into the right titles, writers, artists and publishers that appeal to them specifically,” says Books-A-Million spokesperson Diane Johnson.
What they’re excited for: Overwatch/Black Hammer, Invader Zim and Legend of Korra
About the bookstore: Though Books-A-Million focuses on books, the store also sells things like electronics, board games, toys, records and DVDs.
FCBD hours: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
___
For more information on Free Comic Book Day, including a guide to participating stores around the country, head to freecomicbookday.com.
___
Ryan Miller is a sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University, majoring in journalism and minoring in business law. Studio M, a project of the College of Media and Entertainment at MTSU, allows student journalists to be published statewide and nationwide.
