WILMINGTON—Free Comic Book Day is exactly what it sounds like: independent comic book stores around the world–including two in Wilmington–give away thousands of free comic books and other merchandise.
Free Comic Book Day was founded in 2002 to help bring new readers into independent comic book stores. Wilmington has two participating stores, Fanboy Comics on College Road and Memory Lane Comics downtown. Both stores are giving away comic books and other merchandise.
Memory Lane Comics
Co-owner Jake Motsinger said Memory Lane Comics would be giving away comics throughout the day, with special gifts for the first 100 customers.
“We’ll be doing the classic comic giveaways,” Motsinger said. “We’ve got some really cool swag to give away.”
In addition to comics, graphic novels and other items, Motsinger said Memory Lane will raffle off a radio-controlled Batmobile. There will be free food and drinks, as well.
“We’ll have Deadpool giving away free coffee across the street at Bespoke, and Wake N Bake Donuts when we open (at 10 a.m.), and free Boombalatti’s ice cream at 1 o’clock,” Motsinger said.
Memory Lane’s Free Comic Book Day event will feature co-play actors from 10 a.m. to around 2 p.m., but the event will run all day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to Motsinger, participants will not need to be present to claim raffle prizes.
For more information, visit Memory Lane Comics event page.
Fanboy Comics
Fanboy Comics is kicking off its event with free breakfast from Chick-Fil-A, the restaurant chain will give away free chicken biscuits starting at 8:30 a.m. until supplies run out. The first 100 customers in line in the morning will also receive a gift basket.
According to a release from Fanboy Comics, gift baskets will include, “comics, buttons, stickers, a graphic novel, and more.”
At 9 a.m. registration for free comics and other prizes will begin. Free titles will include: “DC Super Hero Girls,” “Avengers,” “Riverdale,” “Infinity Watch,” “Doctor Who,” “Overwatch,” “Lady Mechanika,” “Invader Zim,” “Barrier,” “James Bond,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Lovecraft,” “SpongeBob,” and “Power Rangers.”
The store will also host comic artist Tom Fleming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to Fanboy Comics, “Tom Fleming has just finished doing the cover to the recently released Iron Maiden No. 4 (which we are selling copies of, conveniently enough) but he has done a ton of other work throughout his career.”
Fleming has done illustrations and creative design for Marvel, DC, Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden and the World Wrestling Entertainment.
For more information, visit Fanboy Comic’s Free Comic Book Day event page on Facebook.
On the map: Fanboy Comics and Memory Lane Comics
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