Fri 5/2 @ 10pm

Sat 5/3 @ 10am

For the past thirteen years, local comic book fans have spent the first Saturday of May celebrating Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) at Carol and John’s Comic Book Shop in Kamm’s Corners. The event has become so big that it has even been recognized by The Cleveland City Council and Secretary of the State of Ohio as being “a righteous event promoting literacy and creativity through comic books.”

“Comic books this year have continued to be the only growing form of print media, largely due to the huge community surrounding them and events like Free Comic Book Day,” says C&J’s owner John Dudas.

This year, Carol & John’s is planning two special events with tons of art, fun and giveaways – including 25,000 free comics (10 per person) and 1,000 free graphic novels. The store isn’t allowed to start giving away comics until Midnight, but that isn’t stopping the shop from starting the party early. C&J’s plans to give away half the comics at a Midnight Early Release Event on Friday, and the other half beginning at 10am on Saturday. New this year, the shop is adding a second line to speed-up the giveaways!

At 10pm on Friday, nearly two dozen local artists, comic creators and illustrators will be drawing LIVE around the shop and giving their sketches away on a first-come-first-served basis. The organizers plan for this to be an interactive experience, with the audience engaging with the artists.

Participating locals artists include Henry Pope III, Chad “CHOD” Kimes, Mark Overlow, Steve King, Thom Zahler, Len Peralta, Adam Pate, Robert Walland, Janie Walland, Greg Golem, Clare Kolat, Ron Hill, Ashley Ribblett, Randy Crider, Ryan Patrick Finley, Tim Switalski, Craig Worrell, Rick Lozano, Ben Hale, David Balan, Ryan Kacsandy, Shawny Walthaw, Abdul H. Rashid, and Jim Giar.

Many of these local artists will also have work in FCBD’s Gallery Show. Each artist will exhibit multiple Marvel-inspired works, and all will have prints available of their work for just $10. Additionally, you can score a Cleveland FCBD2014 lithograph on cardstock for just $4 – featuring your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and paying homage to Amazing Spider-Man #33. Supplies will be limited.

Artists participating in the Gallery Show include Sean Burns, Rich Cihlar, Randy Crider, Ryan Patrick Finley, James Giar, James Guilliams, Ben Hale, Jeff Hulligan, Eric Kaplan, Chad “CHOD” Kimes, Clare Kolat, Angela Oster, Bob Peck, Sahley Ribblett, Erin Schechtman, Tim Switalski, Janie Walland, Robert Walland, Shawny Walthaw and Craig Worrell.

Local artists The Rustbelt Monster Collective will be heavily involved once again in this year’s show. Members of Cleveland’s favorite “super-group” will be featured in the gallery show; they’ll also be giving away free sketches and painting one of their infamous live murals — which will remain prominently exhibited in the shop after the show. Be sure to check out C&J’s collection of local superhero-themed art around the shop. It’s the best collection of its kind in the region.

The late-night event will offer free refreshments at the HYDRA bar. At 10:45pm, you can sample a free micro brew created exclusively for FCBD by Cleveland Action Brewery. “Strucker’s Pretzel Lager” will be rebranded with a commemorative FCBD in honor of this year’s event. Hydra treats will also be available courtesy of Darkside Desserts and Peace, Love and Little Donuts.

The lines for your free comics will open at midnight. The first 100 people in line will get a free graphic novel in addition to their 10 free comics. The event will end at 2:30am.

Carol and John’s staff and FCBD organizers won’t be getting much sleep Friday night. The shop will re-open at 10am Saturday with local artists once again drawing live and giving away their sketches to guests. The first 300 “true believers” in line will get an all ages graphic novel (either Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America or Thor). Plus, the first 100 kids who attend in costume will get a free Dr Doom/Sinister graphic novel.

At 11am, Guest of Honor Marc Sumerak will be signing 200 FREE copies of his Eisner and Harvey Award Nominated book Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius, Volumes One and Two. This all-ages graphic novel follows the son of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman (and his robot H.E.R.B.I.E.) on some adventures of his own.

“Here’s the number one thing to remember about Free Comic Book Day and it’s sort of a paradox,” explains Dudas. “The Free Comics are not the most important thing about free comic book day! Sure, like Christmas… ‘It’s the reason for the season’ but the day is about coming out and proudly showing your love of all things comics and engaging your comic book community.

“That’s not to say that we don’t have 25,000 comics to give away, we do. We’ll take care of that. But trust me, if you judge a successful FCBD by getting the exact 10 comics you were shooting for, odds are you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re looking to hang out, dress up, talk comics, see some amazing creators and see just how big this hobby has gotten, then this is the event for you. The key to success? Participation. No spectators. Engage others. Be a friend.”

Costumes are encouraged (and will be rewarded). For more info on Free Comic Book Day (and a complete list of participating comic book shops) click here.

Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.

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