Free Comic Book Day and Why It is Important
We've been having Free Comic Book Day in the Philippines for many years now, and many local comic book stores and major book stores in the past have participated in it. By far the biggest supporter of Free Comic Book Day in the country is Sandy Sansolis of Comic Odyssey. For several years now he's given away thousands upon thousands of free comic books at his store on this day, and gathered the country's most popular comic book creators to stay and sign.
It's kind of a big deal and I'm frustrated that it's not getting more exposure on a more mainstream level.
It's a big deal because this is an activity that promotes not only comic books and comic book stores, but more importantly, it encourages reading and therefore promotes literacy. Here in the Philippines, this is very important.
Every year US comic book publishers like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image etc., release special comic books published specifically to give away on this day, which always falls on the first Saturday of May. These comic books are generally safe to read for people of all ages. This is a great opportunity to introduce young Filipinos to reading.
Comic Odyssey has ordered a large amount of these comic books, but will also be clearing an extraordinarily large amount of its inventory in the process. All in all, they will be giving away more than thirty thousand (30,000) comic books!
Photos from Comic Odyssey (Click for Larger Images):
Thirty thousand free comics is kind of a big deal.
If you're not doing anything this Saturday, or if what you're doing is not really all that important (in the larger scheme of things), I strongly suggest you go, bring your kids if you have them, get your comic books for yourself and/or introduce your children to reading. It's pretty much a big problem in the country now, since reading doesn't seem to be big on people's priorities, and yet it's one of the most important activities we as people should always indulge in.
If you manage to be the first 600 people in there, you'll get at least 50 free comic books. But don't worry, with the huge amount of comics being given away, you will come away with some free comics no matter what time you come in.
This will be at Comic Odyssey, 3rd Floor Robinson's Galleria (near Kenny Rogers) this Saturday, May 7, 2011. The mall opens at 10am. The store itself opens at 10:30am, but you can stand in line already at 10am. Don't worry about getting lost. Just follow the crowd!
A whole army of Filipino comic book creators including those working for Marvel and DC, along with those creating Philippine Independent Komiks will be on hand to sign your comic books for free. For a list of creators participating, click here.
In support of Free Comic Book Day, the Philippine Independent Komiks community has banded together to give away free comics! Click here for details.
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Free Comic Book Day is also the first day of the 2-Day Metro Comic-Con, happening in the next door mall, SM Megamall. After getting your free comics from Comic Odyssey and you're still craving for your comic book fix, head on over next door to the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall for one of the country's biggest comic book conventions. Special Guest is David Lloyd, artist and co-creator of V for Vendetta!
National Book Store will also be having its own Free Comic Book Day event of the year. Also, National Book Store will be finally releasing the Komikero Pubishing edition of ELMER! I will be on hand to sign comic books at this event on the second day, from 3-5pm.
