Each year we all celebrate our love for comics with Free Comic Book Day. The celebration first started in 2002. Many stores hold special events or have creators come in for signings. The important thing to remember is retailers actually purchase the comics specifically marked as the FREE comic books. In other words, be thankful and try to buy some other stuff to help support them.
Here are links to just a few reviews of all the free titles that came out today.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Free Comic Book Day #1
If you’re reading Brian Michael Bendis’ GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, you’re going to want to pick up this issue. If you’re new to the series or are looking forward to the movie, this will give you a great idea what you need to know about everyone. Venom is joining the team and Nick Bradshaw does a great job illustrating him and the other members of the team. This lets us know why and how he comes on board and sets things up for the regular series. The story did feel short but we also get previews for Jim Starlin’s THANOS graphic novel and the upcoming SPIDER-VERSE. This is a pretty cool FREE comic.
Click HERE for the full review.
The New 52: Futures End #0
There’s no denying this will be one of the Free Comic Book Day issues that stands out. As a lead in to next week’s FUTURES END #1, DC’s new weekly series, there is a lot to see here. Future stories often get pretty dark and dreary and we definitely see a lot of that here. Besides just horrific scenarios and heroes getting killed or worse, we do see some of the key players that are supposed to play a role later on in the series. It’s a fascinating idea for a story, even if we’ve seen it play out time and time again. The key will be in the execution. Based on the creators of this free issue, we can expect plenty of excitement.
Click HERE for the full review.
Rocket Raccoon: Free Comic Book Day #1
Joe Caramagna and Adam Archer deliver a great and fun Rocket Raccoon story. This is your chance to see Rocket in action outside the Guardians of the Galaxy. There is a frantic pace to the story that gives a nice mix with the visuals. Kids will love this story. Adults will too, unless they're too uptight and don't enjoy fun things. There's also a reprint of a Spider-Man story based on the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series also written by Caramagna with art by Ty Templeton. And let's not forget that great Skottie Young cover. Be sure to try to get your hands on this book.
Click HERE for a full review.
ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL
The ARMOR HUNTERS SPECIAL is a great offering for those who are interested in the Valiant universe but haven't gotten around to pick up any of their books. You're getting introductions to three different books, one of which is brand new. As for up-to-date Valiant fans, you may be disappointed that you're only getting 5 new pages of story and a few art pages, but overall, this book is good for Valiant fans and great for new readers. It's a great lead in to ARMOR HUNTERS.
Click HERE for a full review.
VALIANT UNIVERSE HANDBOOK
The VALIANT UNIVERSE HANDBOOK gives readers all the info about the Valiant universe they could ever need. However, is it too much information? Will they be turned off to the rest of the series because they already know what happens? Otherwise, this is a good way to catch up and see if there's stories that interest you. This is a very conclusive and thorough look into all of Valiant's characters and teams. It's a pretty solid read for fans and new readers alike, but it's not really a comic book, as the title suggests.
Click HERE for a full review.
2000 AD SPECIAL
While this book does have a few reprints, overall, there's a lot to enjoy in this very large Free Comic Book Day offering. It truly captures the look and feel of the week-to-week 2000 AD book. Also, the opening story features the art of Chris Burnham, which is an incredibly huge treat for fans. This book has something for everyone from science-fiction to fantasy and while some stories are a bit stronger than others, overall, it was an incredibly fun read and the best of the FCBD lineup.
Click HERE for a full review.
ATOMIC ROBO & FRIENDS
All-in-all, ATOMIC ROBO & FRIENDS is a pretty decent Free Comic Book Day offering. The main Atomic Robo story is the star here, providing fun and actual laughs with a cool, quick little plot. The Bodie Troll was a bit of a hit and a miss. While the art was incredibly cool and nicely stylized, the story was geared more towards kids and will lose older readers, especially with the way too over-the-top dialogue. Lastly, Haunted just doesn't give readers enough to get them interested in the on-going series. Sure, the art is pretty and the lettering is nice, but that's all it really offers. So overall, if you're interested, pick it up, but don't go out of your way to grab this one.
Click HERE for the full review.
Project Black Sky: Free Comic Book Day #1
If you've read CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT or BRAIN BOY, you're gonna dig this book. Seeing these two characters forced to team up is handled perfectly. They're from different time periods and have different outlooks on things. Fred Van Lente does a superb job on the dialogue and bickering between the two. When the action kicks in, you'll be in awe over Michael Broussard's art. They have to fight a giant enhanced gorilla! What more could you ask for? Newer readers will be able to dive into this issue and should get a good taste of what they've been missing. Dark Horse does a great job in showing what their Project Black Sky line of books are about.
Click HERE to read the full review.
The Tick: Free Comic Book Day 2014 #1
It's always great to see THE TICK in comics. I'll admit, I haven't read a TICK comic in years because of my stubbornness in the absence of Ben Edlund actually writing and drawing the comics. We do get a fun story here that's fitting for the character. If you're a less strict TICK fan, you'll have no problem enjoying the tale as long as you have an idea what the Tick is all about.
Click HERE to read the full review.
SpongeBob Freestyle Funnies 2014
Even though I'm not a fan of the SpongeBob animated series and have only seen bits of actual episodes, I still found this to be a fun comic. I would imagine fans of the show would enjoy this Free Comic and the fact that most of the comic captures the feel of the show. It's also worth noting that this marks the first appearance of a new character, outside the show, with Mermaid Girl. If you enjoy the show or are familiar with the characters, you should dig this comic. If you're not a fan or don't like the, sometimes annoying, voices, this could be a good way to check out what the characters are about. It's a comic that can appeal to everyone.
Click HERE for the full review.