If you’re lucky enough, maybe you’ll hit a comic shop that will allow you more than one free comic book this Saturday, Free Comic Book Day (probably not 100 Free Comics though, like us!). We all know that, if you only get one, it HAS to be Blackest Night #0, but if you can get more than one, what other options are available to you? There’s some other great stuff this Saturday – in fact, I’d venture to say the selection is probably one of the best FCBD has ever had! Very few reprints, and those that are reprints are pretty damn great material! Both Marvel and DC are previewing their upcoming Summer crossovers, as is Image Comics/Top Cow. What else is there for you to check out? Look after the jump to see the goodies!
I used to love Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon. I’m so far behind now, it would be difficult to catch up, but I’m sure as hell going to try (his huge omnibus editions will make it easier). Kind of odd that they’re picking an issue from the series to use, rather than a one-shot. Still, this is a good sign that it’s a good issue to jump on! And now that Dragon is back to being a cop … it’s like the good old days all over again!
Savage Dragon #148
All-new story and art from fan-favorite writer/artist Erik Larsen (Spider-Man, Wolverine)! There’s a new vigilante in town: The Dynamic Daredevil! This recently resurrected hero from comics’ Golden Age has made Chicago his new home and it pits him against Chicago’s fin-headed finest! Plus a mysterious assassin from Dragon’s past is introduced as Dragon’s battle against the notorious Vicious Circle heats up! It’s the ultimate introductory issue and fit for readers young and old!
Top Cow comics kick @$$. While I missed out on the Hunter-Killer series while it was out, Top Cow’s last few crossovers have been good, and Kenneth Rocafort on art with Mark Waid on writing? Can you really beat that?
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer Preview
Top Cow launches its biggest summer event to date with the return of Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer! When two fan-favorite antagonists join forces, both teams are thrust back into the spotlight and must band together to keep the world safe. But can they get along long enough to succeed? This FCBD09 preview issue leads directly into the five-issue event series launching in July and features an original story by Waid and Rocafort, plus special sneak-peeks of this year’s “Pilot Season” contenders.
As much as I want Blackest Night #0, if I had to choose between it and this book, I’d pick this up, and it’s a reprint! TMNT #1 – the way comics should be, featuring the original tale of the mean green fighting machines! Oh man…I love these original Turtles comics.
TMNT #1 25th Anniversary Reprint
Mirage Studios proudly celebrates FCBD09 – and its own 25th anniversary! – by reprinting the groundbreaking first issue of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird (first published in May, 1984)! Old fans and new readers alike will thrill to the seminal adventure of Donatello, Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael and Master Splinter as they settle an age-old blood feud with their arch nemesis, the Shredder and his Foot Clan minions!
I haven’t followed Arcana Studios very closely, but artist Ash Jackson of Eve: Vampire Diva did some work for my children’s novel a couple of years back that was spectacular. They’ve got a preview book coming out for their titles, with all new stories. check it out!
Arcana Studio Presents
Arcana Studio Presents Kade, Billy Boom Boom, Creepsville, Eve/Koni and more in this action-packed extravaganza featuring four of Arcana’s iconic characters in all-new stories, published just for FCBD09! Arcana Studio Presents four all-new stories of action, adventure and intrigue in the way that only Arcana can!
Dabel Bros output can be a little spotty, but with a brand new Dresden Files story, seems like this would be a perfect fit for anyone into the stories of the supernatural detective!
Dabel Bros. Showcase
The Dabel Brothers bring you three original, never-before-seen tales for FCBD09, including the Dresden Files “Restoration of Faith”; “The Calm Before,” the prelude story to adaptation of the classic film, The Warriors; and “Previously, on Take A Chance,” which steps back in time to the day a gene-altering virus was released into the world. All this, plus a sneak preview of Del Rey’s forthcoming novel, Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi – Outcast by Aaron Allston, a bold new adventure for Luke, Han, and your favorite Star Wars characters!
And, just to show you that it’s not only comic books in on the fun, for you gamers out there…
Magic The Gathering: Agents Of Artifice Sampler
Get readers hooked on the new Planeswalker novel line with a sample chapter of the first book, Agents of Artifice by Ari Marmell. Fans of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game, as well as any fantasy reader, will devour the engaging introductory chapter to the Planeswalker novel line, and become avid readers of these new character-rich, plot driven, smartly written novels!