Posted By Dan Greenfield on May 2, 2025 | 1 comment

Retailer MARC HAMMOND of Aw Yeah Comics in New York has some great ideas for one of comics’ biggest days…

By MARC HAMMOND

It’s that glorious time of year again, fans and friends. May 3’s Free Comic Book Day 2025 is upon us in less than 24 hours. This is the closest thing to a High Holy Day for those of us who congregate at the altar of comics, and I have 13 QUICK THOUGHTS for you:

1. Hopefully, by now, you know that while the participating stores are giving the comics out for free, they are not free to the retailers. Reduced, sure, but not free. So please buy something. Buy many things. Buy something you have had your eyes on for a while. It helps the stores recoup their costs for this event that they love hosting for you, the fans.

2. Remind your friends and family that it’s FCBD. Make a day of it. Make a plan to meet up at your favorite shop. It’s perfect for all ages and great for a family outing.

3. If you’re going to take pictures at the event (and you should!), make sure to tag the store on your social media. It’s a subtle way to let others know about the shop. For that matter, many creators set up at stores for FCBD, and you should shout them out, too.

4. Speaking of creators, please remember to be respectful of their time and effort as well. Many will have their own books for sale, some will be signing FCBD comics they worked on. Some might even be selling original art or doing sketches. Don’t haggle prices or harass them for sketches if they aren’t doing them that day. It will be busier than usual, and time is a factor. Be cool to them, and they’ll be cool to you.

5. If you’re a teacher, librarian, or work with any social program that could benefit from donations, many stores are happy to provide you with comics. However, the day of the event is not the best time to ask. Instead, simply ask who their contact person is to make a request. Also, it might be too late this year, but not for next year. Stores generally start ordering their FCBD books in December.

Just a sample of titles. Check out 13th Dimension’s HOT PICKS for the event.

6. Obviously, be aware of the weather, and travel safely. Just don’t let a little bit of rain stop you from attending. Most events are held inside.

7. Speaking of next year, a lot of stores need volunteer help for the event, and the aftermath. You can always ask your local comic shop if they need a bit of help. They may not, but then again, they might.

8. Never underestimate the joy it brings to store staff when you show up with unsolicited treats. You don’t have too bring anything but your awesome self, of course, but if you want to, I say go for it.

9. Try something new. Most people have a general lane of comics they stay within, and there is nothing wrong with that. FCBD is a great chance to go a little out of your normal bounds, though. You may discover a whole new vista of comics you never knew existed.

10. Not sure which new comic to try? Ask a staff member, because chances are they can point you in the right direction.

11. Here’s a challenge for you: Make sure you visit that same shop sometime in the following 30 days, and make another purchase. Many stores will see people on Saturday that they ONLY see on FCBD. Free comics are excellent, we all know that. Comics shops being around and healthy for years to come is even better. I sometimes feel like the event itself doesn’t look beyond the day it happens. Different stores get different mileage depending on their efforts. As a comics fan, the power to make an impact on your shop, and comics in general, rests with you. I believe in you.

12. Have fun. Have all of the fun. Be safe, be kind, be courteous, and contribute to the wonder of the day.

13. Keep reading comics. Keep loving comics. Be the ambassador for comics and the joy they bring, to as many people as you can all throughout the year.

—

MORE

— HOT PICKS — FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2025 Edition. Click here.

— FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: A Confirmation of the Importance of Comics — and Community. Click here.

—

Marc Hammond runs the Harrison, New York, location of Aw Yeah Comics, a string of shops led by cartoonist/writers Franco — also a 13th Dimension columnist — and Art Baltazar, Archie Comics editor-in-chief Mike Pellerito, our old pal Christy Blanch, Marc, as well as others.