Liz OhanesianMay 7 is the first Saturday of May and, as many comic book lovers know, that means it's Free Comic Book Day. The annual event encourages people to support their local comic book shop with loads of freebies courtesy of comic book publishers. In addition to the goodies, stores oftentimes set up special events, including signings, Q/A panels and sketch sessions with comic book artists and writers. We've included a few of the events that are on our radar below. If you know of anything else happening in the Los Angeles area, let us know in the comment section. Don't forget to check the store locator to find out which stores are participating in your area.
Meltdown Comics
There's a lot going on at Meltdown Comics on Saturday. The day will start with free copies of Mouse Guard/The Dark Crystal Flip Book, which customers can have signed by Brian Holguin (writer for The Dark Crystal) and David Petersen (writer/artist for Mouse Guard) between 11 a.m. at 3 p.m., at which time you can also watch The Dark Crystal and check out Skeksis statues.
At 1 p.m., the creators of Reed Gunther will be teaching a comics class for kids. From 2-3:30 p.m., Jeff Cahn (Red Spike) and Owen Wiseman (Samurai's Blood) will sign.
Jason JFish Fischer will be at Meltdown from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. He'll have free copies of JFish in LA on hand as well as a few of copies of the naughty monster comic Junqueland.
In the Meltdown Gallery at 4 p.m., Joshua Hale Fialkov and Kody Chamberlain will appear for discussion and signings. Following that, there will an opening reception for Key & Dornberger & Gabbe & Key.
7522 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 851-7223
Earth-2
Both Earth-2 locations will feature special guests Geoff Johns and Jeph Loeb. The two writers will appear at the Sherman Oaks outpost from 12- 2 p.m. They'll stop by Northridge from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
In addition artists Todd Brocasso Harris and Justin Rodrigues will be on hand to sketch for customers at both shops. They will be in Sherman Oaks from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. and Northridge from 1 – 3 p.m. Michael Broussard will be sketching at the Northridge location from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
15017 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA
(818) 386-9590
8967 Reseda Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 993-7804
Golden Apple
Over on Melrose Avenue, comic creators and superheroes will be at Golden Apple. Matt Hawkins, Jeff Cahn and Owen Weisman will start off the signing sessions at 10 a.m. with Walter Koenig taking over at noon. The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman will appear alongside Jason Howard at 2 p.m. Marc Andreyko, Brian McCarthy and Michael Lent will round out the sessions at 4 p.m. Also appear is Scott Shaw, who will provide Simpsons sketches.
7018 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 658-6047
Free comics!; Credit: Liz Ohanesian
Galaxy of Comics
Fans of Wolverine and Swamp Thing might want to head over to Galaxy of Comics as writer Len Wein will be signing from 4-7 p.m. at the Van Nuys store. According to the Galaxy of Comics website, the shop is expecting lines and suggests people arrive early. They're also having a 30% off sale and will be overing 10 for $1 comic specials, in addition to hosting a raffle.
17306 Saticoy St, Van Nuys, CA
(818) 578-8559
Collector's Paradise
Collector's Paradise has two locations, one in Canoga Park and a new shop out in Pasadena. Between the two outposts, there will be a lot of signings. Whilce Portacio, Tone Rodriguez, Tony Fleecs, Tomm Coker, Joshua Fialkov, Chris Moreno, Kody Chamberlain and Ray Friesen will be signing in Canoga Park. Len Wein, JT Krul, David Petersen, Jim McCann, Mark Sable, Sheldon Mitchell, Rick Basaldua, Tess Fowler and Frank Forte will be in Pasadena.
7131 Winnetka Ave
Canoga Park, CA 91306
319 S Arroyo Pkwy Ste 4
Pasadena, CA 91105
The Comic Bug
South Bay comic book readers might want to check out the events at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach. Special guests include Mike Mignola, Steve Niles, Joe Benitez, Richard Starkings, Phil Ortiz, Josh Williamson, David Wohl, Vince Hernandez, Chris Yost, Jeff Stokely, Robbi Rodriguez, Frank Mastromauro, David Schwartz, Peter Steigerwald and Mark Roslan. The website notes that most of the appearances will occur between 12-3 p.m. Joe Benitez, however, will be there from 3-5 p.m. The site suggests calling the store for exact times.
1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA
(310) 372-6704
Pulp Fiction
Joshua Williamson, who contributed to Oni Press' release Rated Free for Everyone, is one of the local artists who will turn up at Pulp Fiction on Saturday. The Long Beach comic shop will also be hosting a food drive, as it does annually on Free Comic Book Day. Bring non-pershible food items or make a donation and you could end up with more free comics.
1742 Clark Ave Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone: (562) 986-4154
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