There’s a new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode available for download- Ep.41: “FCBD Multitude Of Madness”. This episode chronicles mine and Nicki’s Free Comic Book Day adventures around Memphis last weekend.
Saturday, May 7th was Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2022. The annual event happens on the first Saturday in May of each year and is a way for the comics industry and retailers to thank their customers, introduce new readers to comics, and a chance to celebrate comics.
The re’s a huge selection of comics to choose from each year. The comics are free for folks visiting the shops, but not free for the retailers (they pay the costs of each comic).
Each participating retailer has certain rules for the free comics, and/or offer sales and in-store creator signings and additional events.
Folks are definitely encouraged to wear a cool comic tee and/or cosplay as their favorite comic characters.
Not every retailer participates, but most around the mid-south area do, including Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics, as well as Jupiter Comics out in Moscow, TN.
Nicki and I hit three of the comic shops in the M-town. We stopped at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics East.
We got our free comics while picking up our hold box comics. Did some additional shopping and chatting with friends. Thankfully the shops all sell comic boxes- helped hauling stuff out to the car!
For the podcast we talked with local comic creators Dale Martin, Brad and Skoot Starnes, Matt Bowers, Gabe DeRanzo, and Janet and Martheus Antone Wade about their current and upcoming projects such as The Dragon Templar, Fathom, Memphis, Stoned Ninja, Shinobi: Ninja Princess and Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa comics. (Sorry for some of the poor audio quality- I explain the cause in this episode.)
901 Comics East had local creators Gabe, Matt, Antone, Janet, Anakin- as well as John Martin and Richard Fields at their shop for an in-store signing appearance. Unfortunately we had to run to the DeSoto Malco and didn’t get a chance to talk to John or Richard, and we missed getting to chat with MSCA member and “Stoned Ninja” artist Greg Cravens who hadn’t made it up from the Puppy Palooza at the Crosstown Concourse.
When we got down to Southaven we caught Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness and towards the end of the podcast give some non-spoiler thoughts on this latest Marvel movie.
We loved the new seating at the theater, but don’t understand why folks will pay $15 for a seat and and insist on being on their phones during the movie…ugh.
Oh, while at 901 Comics we got some sad news news of the passing of legendary comic creator George Pérez. Nicki and I discuss our George encounters and memories of him. He was not only a great creator of comics, but a fan and cheerleader of the fandom- and a super sweet guy.
I hope you got out to enjoy Free Comic Book Day. Definitely mark your calendars for next year!
Stay well, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!
Lin
