Posted By Dan Greenfield on May 17, 2025 | 1 comment

Retailer MARC HAMMOND of Aw Yeah Comics in New York ponders the aftermath of the event…

By MARC HAMMOND

Free Comic Book Day, the largest event on the calendar for most comic-book stores, has once again come and gone. Even in this uncertain economic climate, the report I heard from many retailers (and our own locations) was that it was the best one yet. We saw higher foot traffic, more purchases, and less people coming in only for whatever free stuff they could get.

All in all, a great day, and we’re already planning for next year.

The real question is “What’s next?” Assuming you attended an event at one of the many excellent stores who participated, you may be asking yourself what you do from here. If you’re a longtime comics fan, you’ll probably settle back into established routines and normal scheduling. Nothing wrong with that. If you’re new to our world (welcome, by the way!), you might not have a routine to resume.

Here are 13 suggestions on what you can do next in the wild, wonderful world of comics:

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1. Don’t wait until next year to visit that comic book store. Or another store. Or both! Chances are you’ll be able to experience the shop without a throng of free-comic devotees. Take your time, look around, talk to the staff, and really get a feel for how the store operates on a regular day. You never know, it might become your new favorite place.

2. Hopefully, you read the comics you picked up on FCBD, and didn’t just put them away, hoping they will produce a gold mine later in life. The point of these comics, of any comics, is to be read and enjoyed. There’s something to be said for the fun of collecting comics like your favorite Pokemon, but the real magic lies within the pages. Think about which you enjoyed. Did the end of the comic point to something coming up, like a new series, or to a graphic novel that is already available? If so, seek it out. Ask the staff at the shop for help, if you’re not sure.

3. In fact, that’s an excellent habit to develop. Please ask any time you are not sure. Shop staff are there to help, armed with myriad suggestions of titles we love, and hope you will, too!

4. If you enjoyed the event they hosted, make sure to follow them on social media, bookmark their websites, and get on their e-mail lists to stay up to date about other events. Every comics shop in the world has a different style and vibe, and the events they host are just as varied. You never know when you’re going to stumble into a creator signing, a craft group, spoken word night, or any number of other happenings.

Seated: Archie president and store co-owner Mike Pellerito, comics legend Chris Claremont, artist and co-owner Franco Aureliani. Standing: Staffer Ben Houx, co-owner Marc Hammond.

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5. Tell your friends about the store you attended. Maybe they were with you. In which case, all of you should tell anyone who wasn’t there. Word of mouth will always be the best way to grow an audience, be it for a movie, a band, a comic, or a shop. Always.

6. Did you meet awesome creators at the event? The same methods of engagement will most likely present themselves. Follow them, like their posts, sign up for mailing lists and notifications. Most of all, seek out their work and purchase it.

7. If you find yourself reading certain comics on a regular basis, ask the shop if they have a subscription pull service. That way, you don’t miss an issue.

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8. Check out the area around the shop. Look for other small businesses in that community that you might also really enjoy. If you do, make sure to tell them how you found them. Comics shops have two communities. The one they create within their walls, and the larger one in the neighborhood around them. Both are important, and you could become a welcome addition to them.

9. If you feel comfortable, talk to your fellow customers. One of my favorite things about working at a shop is seeing customers I like talking to, who don’t know each other, conversing about a shared love for a character or series. Your mileage may vary, and there’s no need to worry if you would rather not join a conversation.

10. If you read a comic that you really enjoy, make sure to mention it to the staff. There are way too many amazing comics out there for anyone to have read them all. Making a good suggestion goes both ways, and you might be letting them know about a title they will love, and thus introduce to more people.

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11. Make sure to tell the staff at the store you attended what you enjoyed about the day. The best day for stores to start planning for FCBD is the day after FCBD. Feedback helps them put on an even more spectacular event next year.

12. Consider wearing a cape to the next event. Not for any particular reason. I just want to be partially responsible for more people wearing capes to comics shops.

13. Mark your calendars. Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 2, next year!

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MORE

— 13 Quick Thoughts — and Tips — For FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. Click here.

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

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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.