This past Saturday was Free Comic Book Day, where every year on the first Saturday of May, comic book retailers give out free comic books supplied by comic book publishers. My not-so-local-but-definitely-favourite-store All Star Comics Melbourne saw a packed store filled with literally hundreds of regulars as well as first timers. It got so full that there was a line outside the store, one that some had mistaken for the bus stop that was adjacent to the store entrance! The theme for this year at All Star was Gotham, in anticipation of the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. The two owners, Mitch and Troy were Batman and Commissioner Gordon respectively, and most of the people that volunteered were also in a Gotham related costume (one Barbara Gordon Sr/Golden Age Vicky Vale, two Catwomans, two Robins, Harley Quinn, The Riddler, The Question, Bane, as well as a generic Gotham Police Department Forensic Photographer). You also had two Deadpools, one Iron Man, one Spider-Man, and one super human in civilian clothes, specifically in a Free Comic Book Day t-shirt. All throughout the day there loads of other people in costume getting not only a free comic but also a free sketch by one of the many artists who had lent their talent for the day.
I’m absolutely thrilled to see the store do so well, and to be able to witness it from the beginning is just an absolute thrill and honor. I hope these guys do well, because I think they’re bringing something to the comic book market that no digital initiative is ever going to: a sense of community, bringing together people who are passionate about comics.
Deadpool doing what he does best, breaking the 4th wall.
Robin tells Batman a joke as he chooses which comics he wants.
The store at max capacity.
Bane breaking Batman’s back. Or carrying him off to bed (poor Batman was on his feet all day).
To see more photos from that day, click here. To see the many sketches done by the many talented artists that day, click here. To see the photos from the costume contest, click here. To see the full roll of photos on my flickr, click here.
