News: Get a Free Comic Book on Saturday, May 5th for National Free Comic Book Day!

I was big into comic books when I was younger. I'd even create my own, though my drawing skills were not as good as the greats, such as Kirby or McFarlane. Hell, I still even have a couple DC and Marvel comics laying around somewhere, though I'm more likely to go watch a comic-based movie than buy an actual comic book. But there's nothing like "free" to get me back in the game.

Coming up on Saturday, May 5th is National Free Comic Book Day. Yes, that's right. You can get a totally free comic book tomorrow. Sure, comic books can be cheap, but nothing's cheaper than nothing. So, make sure to visit your local comic book shop and snag yourself a freebie.

Over two thousand comic book shops in North America and around the world are participating in Saturday's event. It's expected that over 3.5 million comic books will be handed out—free of charge! This is a great way for old comic book fans (like myself) to rekindle with their favorite characters, and it's great for others to discover their love for comic books.

The event is sponsored by heavyweight comic publishers, such as Dark Horse Comics, DC, Image, and Marvel Comics. That means there will be comics for everyone's tastes, including The Avengers, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spider-Man, Star Wars, Peanuts, Donald Duck, and Transformers. I only wish they'd be giving away some of the old ones I used to have. But you'll have to stick to the promotional ones offered. You can view them all here.

I wish they had days like this when I was younger, but Free Comic Book Day didn't become a tradition until the first one happened eleven years ago in 2002. They have and will continue to occur every year on the first Saturday of May.

It's no surprise that comic book companies like Marvel are backing this, since it's a great way to market up-and-coming superhero films, like Marvel Studio's The Avengers, which opens today, May 4th. Coincidence? I don't think so.

To get your free comic book, just stroll into your local comic book store. Most are participating in this event, but just to be sure, check out this handy FCBD Store Locator to see which ones are around you that will give out a freebie. I found three shops within a mile of my address, so there's a good chance there will be one near you! Word is you might even be able to get a few freebies.

To find out more, visit Free Comic Book Day online.

Main photo by insidehollywoodmovies