Free Comic Book Day 2016...

May 7th is Free Comic Book Day, the one day a year that the majority of comic book stores offer up a great free selection of brand new issues for anyone who pops into their shops. Much like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other addictive street drugs, the first taste of comics is absolutely free for everyone (in many cases, shops allow shoppers to pick five free titles from their Free Comic Book Day selection). Store owners are hoping you enjoy the quality comics on the stands and keep coming back every Wednesday for another fix, so they're quite happy to start your reading addiction.

This year, a variety of great titles are being offered, from a Marvel tie-in to their new Civil War II event, to an issue of DC Comics' new kids' property DC Super Hero Girls, to independent titles like Love and Rockets. My daughters are pretty excited about nabbing Strawberry Shortcake and SpongeBob issues.

I'll be celebrating the day here in Asheville, North Carolina at Comic Envy (144 Tunnel Rd.), with table set up and a wide variety of my past books and issues for sale. The store is also hosting a raffle and a costume contest, so if you're in the area, be sure to drop by. Free Comic Book Day will be running from 11:00 am until 7 pm., and I'll be sticking around as long as my Batman-like endurance can maintain.

Hope to see you Saturday!

To find your nearest participating comic book store and for a full list of the new batch of free comics to be handed out this years, visit freecomicbookday.com.