celebrates Free Comic Book Day at
Celebrating Free Comic Book Day the way it should be done!
I had heard rumors of the lavish Free Comic Book Day event which has been growing for five years just outside Cincinnati in the town of Florence, Kentucky. This year, I decided to go and see for myself just what was happening at Comics2 Games and I'm glad I did. I was treated to a day of comic fun the likes of which I've not seen at any previous Free Comic Book Day celebration. When it comes to honoring this comic holiday, I'm proud to report that this store has it figured out.
During the Free Comic Book Day festivities, Comics2Games played host a full cookout (burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, cookies, drinks, chips... you name it) and allowed the event to expand beyond the actual grounds of the shop into the area surrounding the store (with permission of neighbors). Tents were erected, a face painting station was launched, a gaming area (offering a mix of game demos) took shape and Stormtroopers were brought in for crowd coordination.
Inside the store, the line to the register didn't let up throughout most of the day as the store mixed Free Comic Book Day with a sale offering 75% off back issues and 25% off everything else in the store. Considering Comics2Games also plays host to Blue Line Pro and Sketch Magazine, that 25% included a host of art supplies along with the more traditional game, toy and comic selections. I have to admit that I made no less than four trips to the register over the course of the day taking home comics supplies, a pile of new comics, some choice back issues and at least one X-Box game.
Three tables were integrated into the store and a total of eight comic creators set up for the day sharing autographs, sketches and great conversation about their own titles and the broader art of comic creation. That list of creators included Craig Boldman (Archie Comics), David Michael Beck (Star Wars, Jonah Hex), Bill Nichols (Sketch Magazine, Blood and Roses), Darren Mueller (Ringtail Cafe), Krista Mueller (Ringtail Cafe),
Jackie Hernandez (Ringtail Cafe), Mike Maydak (Blackbeard Legacy, 1782: The Year of Blood) and Sean Collins (Spirit of the Wolf). Bill Nichols friend and Sketch tech-guy John Wilson was also in attendance.
The creator tables were active all day. I think Jackie Hernandez and Sean Collins in particular rarely got a break from sketching. Craig Boldman's Archie and Jughead sketches on the inside cover of his nationally distributed Free Comic Book Day comic were in high demand as well.
In terms of comics, the store had a mountain of premixed goodie bags which were given to collectors and kids alike. After that, visitors were invited to pick any FIVE Free Comic Book Day titles to take home. No one left without their arms filled with comics and that, in a nutshell, is at the heart of why this event takes place. It was clear that the exposure offered by Free Comic Book Day will grow the comics market in this area and the excited faces of the younger fans tell me we have some new readers in the making.
I certainly acknowledge that some retailers love Free Comic Book Day and some aren't all that happy with the concept. I applaud the former and find just a little bit of fault with the later. I think it's all in what you bring to the table as a store owner. If you simply put out the books and call it a day, you've missed some of the excitement (and new readers) that can be generated by this event. When I look at what Comics2Games did over the weekend, I see how this event can be used to grow not just a single stores sales but the readership of comics. I say go for it... Go all out in 2009... You might just be surprised just how much it helps bring excitement to you customer base.
Start to finish, the Comics2Games event was a complete success and I couldn't think of a better place to spend the day. Come the first Saturday in May of of 2009, you will find me returning for next year's party.
Bob Hickey (the man doing it all 24/7 for comics), Bill Love (seek him out if you want to know
anything about comic stories and history) and the rest of the Comics2Game family have my
thanks for the great books, the amazing post-party dinner and the friendship. I had a blast!
Now that we've discussed the event, let's roll the photos!
We look back on Free Comic Book Day 2008 with a complete gallery of photos from the
day long party which took place at Comics2Games at 166 Mt. Zion Road in Florence, Kentucky.
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Welcome to Free Comic Book
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Stormtroopers ready for the coming crowds
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The event poster (click for the full rundown)
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Star Wars fun with the 501st
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Fans get sketches and autographs from creators
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David Michael Beck (Star Wars, Jonah Hex) shares art
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A surprised comic fan contemplates his free comics
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Sean Collins (Spirit of the Wolf) shares a sketch
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A fan checks her books as a trooper stands guard
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Jackie Hernandez (Ringtail
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Bill Nichols (Sketch Magazine,
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Craig Boldman (Archie Comics) finds a moment to read a comic
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Krista and Darren Mueller
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Mike Maydak (Blackbeard Legacy,
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Predator arrives. Where did the Stormtroopers go?
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Tons of face painting took
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Comic fans of every age were on hand for free comics
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The 25% to 75% sale didn't hurt the mood of the day
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Checking in with the gaming tent
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Hanna as a great Mermaid
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A cookout greeted fans throughout the day
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Bill Nichols and
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More face
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Jackie Hernandez does a
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David Michael Beck took a break from deadlines for the event
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Fun costumes
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Crowd density didn't let up throughout the day
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Sean Collins explaining his series Spirit of the Wolf
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Bill and John chat with Bob Hickey
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Krista and Darren Mueller discuss Ringtail Cafe
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Craig Boldman chats with Bill Nichols
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Mike Maydak explaining his new series
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Bill Nichols, David Michael Beck and Bob Hickey
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Sean Collins shares a moment with his mom
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David Michael Beck poses for a photo
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Sean Collins compares notes with Krista and Darren Mueller
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Comparing notes and
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Jackie Hernandez shares advice
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Craig Boldman signs his
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Watch out for that Jedi
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A bit of Mike Maydak's art on display
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Bill Love discusses the latest comic storylines with a fan
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Stormtroopers are recruited to direct traffic and greet fans
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Prepping the Predator
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Comics are everywhere at Comics2Games
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One of three artist alleys at the event |
Florence Y'all |
Trading sketches... A fan shares with Craig Boldman |
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Page last updated on May 29, 2008