Comic books have existed for well over a century, spawning legions of faithful readers and fans. Today, thanks in part to the massive popularity of super hero movies and comic book TV shows, comic books have seen a resurgence (particularly when it comes to reprints of classic story arcs).
While we love seeing our favorite characters on screen, nothing beats the crisp, fluent writing and artwork of newly pressed, individual comics that provide diverse storylines and stunning visuals. Free Comic Book Day celebrates this original American art form every year, offering a variety of free comic books to patrons who visit their nearest participating shop. This year marks the 15th anniversary of FCBD.
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Free Comic Book Day is always on the first Saturday of May, this year falling on May 7. Every participating store will have numerous special edition comic books that they’ll be giving away for free. These special edition comics are great for the frequent reader, but they are also designed to attract new, non-comic readers. There is absolutely no purchase necessary. Some New Jersey stores will even have costumed-guests visiting for children, along with games, prizes, and refreshments.
The purpose of FCBD is based upon three main goals: (1) to introduce every individual to the pleasures of reading comics, (2) to call back former readers of comics, and (3) to thank current readers of comics for their continued and undying support. FCBD allows people of all different ages and demographics to delve into fictional worlds and embrace the brilliant mixture of creative artwork and dynamic storytelling.
If you’d like to take part in FCBD, check out the list below to find a participating comic book store near year. For more information on this national event, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.
Northern New Jersey
Featured Shop: East Side Mags
Where: 7 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
Details: For Free Comic Book Day only, East Side Mags will be opening an hour early at 9:00 am. Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas will be signing copies of Judge Dredd #1 and Amazing Forest #1 from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Einhorn’s Epic Cookies will be selling cookies and offering free samples and lemonade, and East Side Mags, along with Einhorn’s Epic Cookies and Keiki Explorers, will be raffling off a ton of cool prizes. On top of all of that fun stuff, East Side Mags will also be having sales and special offers.
For More Info: Visit www.eastsidemags.com or call 862-333-4961.
Other Northern NJ shops:
Zapp! Comics – Wayne (https://www.zappcomics.com/)
Joker’s Child – Fair Lawn (http://jokerschild.com/)
Time Warp Comics & Games – (http://www.timewarpcomics.com/)
FunnyBooks Comics & Stuff – Lake Hiawatha (http://funnyrama.com/)
Fortress of Solitude – Newark (http://www.fortressnewark.com/)
Comic Explosion – Nutley (http://www.comicexplosion.com/)
A&S Comics One – North Bergen (http://www.ascomics.com/)
A&S Comics Two – Teaneck (http://www.ascomics.com/)
Dewey’s Comic City – Madison (http://www.deweyscomiccity.com/)
Amazing Heroes – Union (http://www.amazingheroes.com/)
Clockwork Comics & Cards – Union (http://www.clockworkcomicsandcards.com/)
Satellite Comics and Games – Chatham (http://www.satellitecomicsandgames.com/)
Manifest Comics and Comics – Bayonne (https://www.facebook.com/ManifestComicsAndCards/)
FJB Comics & Games – Jersey City (https://www.facebook.com/FJBComics)
Paradox Comics – North Arlington (https://www.facebook.com/Paradox-Comics-104957586214907/)
All In One Collectibles – Randolph (http://allinonecollectibles.com/)
Pyramid Comics & Cards – Sparta (http://www.pyramidcomics.com/)
Bob’s Collectables – Hamburg (https://www.facebook.com/bobscollectables/)
New World Manga – Livingston (http://www.newworldmanga.com/)
Fat Moose Comics and Games – Whippany (https://www.facebook.com/Fat-Moose-Comics-and-Games-466217150180/)
The Dragon’s Lair – Newton (https://thedragonslairnj.com/)
Central New Jersey
Featured Shop: Comic Fortress
Where: 59 W Main Street, Somerville
Details: Comic Fortress always has fun and creates an exciting atmosphere for visitors on Free Comic Book Day every year. This year, the premier Somerset County comic shop will have a store-wide sale on almost everything from popular graphic novels to intricately designed statues and memorabilia of your favorite comic book characters. They will also be welcoming a bunch of cool DC and Marvel friends and foes, including Spider-Man and Harley Quinn.
For More Info: Visit www.comicfortress.com or call 908-704-8910.
Other Central NJ shops:
Comic Fusion – Flemington (http://store.comicfusion.net/)
Steve’s Comic Relief – Lawrenceville (https://www.facebook.com/CRLawrenceville)
Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash – Red Bank (http://jayandsilentbob.com/)
Zapp! Comics – Manalapan (https://www.zappcomics.com/)
Elite Battlegrounds – Green Brook (http://elitebattlegrounds.com/)
Comic Sanctuary – New Brunswick (https://www.facebook.com/comicsanctuary)
Main Street Comics & Toys – Milltown (https://www.facebook.com/mainstreetcomicsnj/?fref=ts)
A Little Shop of Comics – Scotch Plains (http://www.littleshopofcomics.com/)
The Fallout Shelter – Highland Park (http://falloutsheltercomics.com/)
The Record Store – Howell ()
Heroes Comics and Sports – Burlington (https://www.facebook.com/heroescomicsandsports)
The Comic Crypt – Shrewsbury (https://www.facebook.com/The-Comic-Crypt-137776542938804/)
The Hobby Shop – Aberdeen (https://www.hobbyshopnj.com/)
JC Comics – North Plainfield (http://www.jccomics.com/)
TimeZone Gaming & Comics – Fords (http://timezonegaming.com/wordpress/)
Rogue Comics & Collectibles – Cranford (http://www.roguecomics.com/)
Wildpig Comics – Kenilworth (http://www.wildpigcomics.com/)
Southern New Jersey
Featured Shop: Level Up Entertainment
Where: Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing
Details: In addition to a variety of free comics, Level Up Entertainment will also be featuring store-wide sales, door prizes, live music, video games, raffles, food, the area’s largest costume contest, local vendors and artists, and even special guests.
For More Info: Visit levelupentertainment.com or call 609-569-9200.
Other Southern NJ shops:
Steve’s Comic Relief – Toms River (https://www.facebook.com/Steves-Comic-Relief-of-Toms-River-114311611963840/)
Ron’s Comic World – Mount Holly (http://www.ronscomicworld.com/)
Conquest Comics – Bayville (http://www.conquestcomics.com/)
River City Comics – Berlin (http://rivercitycomics.net/)
Stormwatch Comics – West Berlin (https://www.facebook.com/Stormwatch-Comics-145854506715/)
Panther Comics & Toys – Turnersville (http://www.panther-comics.com/)
Monkey King Comics – Woodstown (https://www.facebook.com/MonkeyKingComics)
The Comic Book Store – Glassboro (http://www.thecomicbookstore.net/)
Frankenstein Comics – Woodbury (http://www.frankensteincomics.com/)
Crossroads Comics & Collectibles – Pitman (https://www.facebook.com/Crossroadcomics/)
Fat Jack’s Comicrypt – Oakyln (http://www.comicrypt.com/)
The Comic Station – Haddon Heights (http://www.thecomicstation.com/)
Books-A-Million – Mays Landing (http://www.booksamillion.com/)
MovieStop – Turnersville (https://www.gohastings.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=MovieStop)
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ
