When I did the “Free Comic Book Day” video briefs compilation last year, I mused to myself about perhaps making this piece of the adventure a regular thing. Sure the videos are already on the Official YouTube Channel to be enjoyed by anyone that happens upon them but when one runs a website with this tenure one also must look to always expanding the content and keeping it interesting. This year, “Free Comic Book Day” arrives on what has been referred to as “Star Wars Day” and that aspect alone cemented the idea. As in the video post from last year I would once again be heading to a number of our local comic book shops to see what was going on. My first stop would be the Galaxy Comics store in Park Slope.
As mentioned last year, the Galaxy Comics in Bay Ridge was no longer seeming to go FCBD and I guess with their close proximity to the movie theater that this made sense. An afternoon film showcase can find the store packed with the general masses who snap up the freebies and didn’t buy a single other thing. When that happens the regular customers of the shop suffer so down to Park Slope I would go. This shop limits you to “5” copies so you have to choose wisely on this adventure. Did you guess what I took with me?
My next stop would be the Midtown Comics down on Fulton Street. I love visiting this particular branch of the Midtown Comics Empire. This is my go to shop when my own local store doesn’t have something I am looking for.
Since you might recall that Midtown hands you a pre-bagged stash of comics I didn’t focus on that and instead glanced around the shop a little more. Remember these are only 60 second or less clips so I try to get it done before I have to chop something. I wish these were a little longer, like maybe even only another 30 seconds since that will let me breathe easier while doing it. Of course I could just do two or three clips at each location but I never seem to think of that when I do them. This is all unscripted off the top of my head after all.
Now it was time to head to the Union Square area for a visit to Forbidden Planet. This is a shop that I always enjoy visiting since hey have a very Metal and Punk vibe as well.
There is usually a queue to get into Forbidden Planet on Free Comic Book Day and that is to keep the store manageable in terms of patrons. A lot of the FCBD hunters are in and out but I like to spend a little time here and perusing racks or reviewing items I might have missed along the way. Once again they handed arriving geeks a black paper bag that seemed fairly hefty and I like that. Last time, or last year I should say, the packet included a number of the FCBD stuff and also back issues that I guess the store was looking to move.
Once I finished my exploring here I decided to head up to Midtown Comics other locations. My first stop would be the one near Grand Central Station on Lexington Avenue.
Having already explained how Midtown Comics hands you the pre-packed stash of key Marvel and DC FCBD goodies, I decided to brief on the store itself. It’s smaller than the one downtown but still seems to have enough stock of comics, collected edition and other needs if you are a bonafide comic book fan.
As I wrap this year’s adventure up I can add that while I did visit the Kinokuniya Books they were not participating in FCBD. When I asked I got a very tired response from the staff which normally would have pissed me off but I think with them being so close to Midtown Comics that a lot of people were dropping in with the same inquiry. Speaking of Midtown Comics I also did visit the Times Square shop since I was right there but I didn’t secure any video at this location. All in all a very fun adventure to talk about and please stay tuned for the reveals video and photos. Thanks again to all the shops that were participating. I’ll definitely be doing this next year.
Official Links:
Free Comic Book Day: https://www.freecomicbookday.com
Galaxy Comics: https://www.facebook.com/GalaxyComicsBklyn
Midtown Comics: https://www.midtowncomics.com/
Forbidden Planet: https://www.fpnyc.com
