Where to spend Free Comic Book Day in Los Angeles
Saturday is Free Comic Book Day! It's a great day for both long-time comic book fans and the comic-curious to head to a comic book shop to indulge in all things comics.
First celebrated in 2002, Free Comic Book Day is held on the first Saturday in May and is the one day that you are guaranteed at least one free comic book by visiting any participating comic book shop. As a celebration of comics and the independent comic book shops themselves, one of the greatest aspects of FCBD is that each participating comic book shop celebrates it in its own way.
If you're in the L.A. area, there are a variety of shops hosting comic creator appearances and signings. Here are a some spots to check out:
Where: Meltdown Comics, West Hollywood
Guests: "Sanjay and Craig" graphic novel writer Eric M. Esquivel and artists Sam Spina and James Kaminski; comic book writer and artist Pepe Moreno.
Other: A gigantic coloring book, photo booth, discounts, food trucks and more.
Where: Golden Apple, West Hollywood
Guests: "Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises" comics creator and writer Shannon Lee and cover artist Bernard Chang; comic book writer Christos Gage; "Wonder Woman '77" writer Marc Andreyko and artists Jason Badower and Cat Staggs; "Ratchet & Clank" movie producer and writer David Wohl.
Other: Discounts, lollipop raffle game.
Where: Earth-2 Comics, Sherman Oaks
Guests: "DC Superhero Girls" writer Shea Fontana and colorist Monica Kubina; "Adventures of Supergirl" writer Sterling Gates and artist Cat Staggs; "Suicide Squad New 52" writer Adam Glass and cover artist Ryan Benjamin; comic artist Sean "Cheeks" Galloway; "Penguins vs Possums" creators Sebastian Kadlecik and John Bring; Alan Tudyk, Shannon Eric Denton and PJ Haarsma from "Con Man" and the comic "Spectrum."
Where: Comic Bug, Manhattan Beach and Culver City
Guests: Comic creators including Erika Alexander, Joshua Fialkov, Richard Starkings, Bernard Chang, Alan Tudyk, Stan Lee and more. See their full list (and details) here.
Other: Cosplayers, giveaways, raffle
Where: Galaxy of Comics, Van Nuys
Guests: Writer Len Wein for DC's "Legends of Tomorrow," Steven T. Seagle and Jason Katzensetin from "Camp Midnight," and Tom Riordan with "Killbox No. 1."
Other: Free snacks.
Where: HiDeHo Comics, Santa Monica
Guests: HiDeHo is hosting a self-described in-store comic-con, and it's already constructed the convention-like stands to back it up. Guests at this event include Stranger Comics, Aftershock Comics, 451 Media Group, Imagine Everything Studios, EMET Comics and more.
Other: Cosplay contests and a chance to win a year's worth of free comics.
Where: Comics Factory, Pasadena
Guests: Signing events from opening to close including the writer and artist from “Camp Midnight” Steven T. Seagle and artist Jason Katzensetin; and Jaime Hernandez, artist and and writer of “Love and Rockets."
Where: Federal Bar, North Hollywood
What: Blastoff Comicfest
Guests: Cecil Castellucci, Christos Gage, Joelle Jones, Nicholas Meyer, Steve Niles, Jamie S. Rich, Chris Ryall, Tad Stones, Craig Thompson, Chris Yost and more.
Other: Beer garden, food stations, live DJ and more.
If you’re looking to combine your love of comics with some charity, you should consider heading to Pulp Fiction in Long Beach or Culver City. Both locations are teaming up with the Los Angeles Food Bank, so those who bring nonperishable food items (or a cash donation) can score extra free comics.
Of course, FCBD doesn’t mean that every single comic book in every single comic book shop is free. The official FCBD site has the rundown of the full lineup of the free titles and can point you in the direction of a participating store in your area if you’re not sure if your local comic book shop will be among those celebrating the day.
While not all comic book stores will carry every single free issue available, FCBD is a great occasion to go out and support your local independent shop.
We’ve rounded up some of the FCBD titles to look out for below. Let us know where you're spending FCBD and what you've picked up by tweeting us @LATHeroComplex.
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