The Bullpen

[JimN]

I got there at 9:15 and was out by 9:30. Somehow I didn't expect it to be so packed that early (yes, stupid). I got a couple of trades and some manga, grabbed my freebies and left.

Picked up Locke & Key. I enjoyed it enough that I'll read more. Having said that, it felt like it was a bit heavy on the full page panels ("splash pages"?? Whatever theyre called. It's late). Maybe it works better in the context of the larger work. Just felt to me as if they were filling space. But I did like the whole intro he did about the story and characters. And yeah, I'll be reading more.

I don't think I've read the issues collected in the FCBD offering but I've read three volumes of Locke & Key and if you decide to read the series as a whole, I definitely don't think you'll feel they're trying to fill space. It's a good substantial read.

I'm glad you liked what you read and intend to try more! I think Locke & Key is one of the best comics on the market.

Jim

[Kamakazi010654]

One thing I noticed for books that aren't tied to ongoings such as ASM, Cap, GL, etc. I think the timespan between FCBD and the release of the first issue is WAY too long.

If you are trying to hook new readers you should have the new series available for pre-order in the May Previews at the very least. It seemed like every one that I read was starting their ongoing in early fall (one as late as November!). That is way too long for customers who are on the fence to remember to buy it. What would be the best case scenario would be to have everything advertised on FCBD come out on the next Wednesday in some way so that the owners could tell people that if they like anything come back on Wednesday for new stuff. But I realize that is probably a bit too much of a pipe dream.

[hxcscarecrow]

Westfield Comics, 944 Williamson St, Madison, WI

Creators Appearances:
Rachelle Rosenberg (from 10 am to 1 pm) – Colorist on such titles as: IDW’s Doctor Who Fairytale Life; Marvel’s SHIELD Infinity, Captain America & the Korvac Saga, and Namora; numerous BOOM! Studio’s Disney/Pixar titles; Tim Seeley’s Hack/Slash; Tyrese Gibson’s Mayhem; Jane Wiedlin’s Lady Robotika; and many more!

Micah Farritor – Illustrator and co-creator of White Picket Fences from Ape Entertainment; has also illustrated Night Trippers, The Wicked West, Fear Agent, and Strange Girl.

Steve Bryant (noon-ish to close) – Co-creator & writer/artist of the Eisner-nominated Athena Voltaire, co-creator/co-writer of Cipher, and co-creator/artist of Hell Town (with Joshua Hale Fialkov), has also illustrated 24: Cold Warriors, Domino Lady and Fallen Angel.

Damn Steve, if i would have know you were in town i would have stopped by

[BobBretall]

I got all 37 FCBD comics and just finished reading them all......did a special FCBD ComicBookPage episode that will go up in a week or so.....

12 hours - 5 shops - 12 creators ....big fun.....my "comics lover" holiday.....

Darkwing Duck by James Silvani -> from Nuclear Comics & Skate, Laguna Hills, CA


Red Sonja by Tess Fowler -> from Collector's Paradise #2, Pasadena, CA


Mouse Guard (Liam) by David Petersen -> from Collector's Paradise #2, Pasadena, CA

[Steve Raker]

Nice, Bob...sounds fun!  thanks for sharing...I like Sonja's 'posture'

[BobBretall]

OK, I read all 37 of the FCBD comics and a few stood out in my mind as "best from an existing comics reader's POV", I think the list would be different if I was looking it as "Best for kids" or "Best for new readers".

My Top 5 FCBD Comics:

Atomic Robo (Red 5) - One of the best Robo stories ever, and a couple of pretty good sneak peeks at Foster Broussard & Moon Girl

Spontaneous (Oni) - A very cool concept, I really liked this complete 1st issue of the series.  Oni did this last year with Sixth Gun & I'm still loving that series.

Spider-Man (Marvel) - Dan Slott does a great job bringing people up to speed on Spidey's current Status quo, and I liked the guest appearance by Shang Chi.

Elric: The Balance Lost (Boom!) - Great intro to the Elric story and a really nice essay on Elric in the back.  Elric looks like Elric should look, loved the full-page shots of Corum & Hawkmoon.

Captain America & Thor (Marvel) - Marvel had a great FCBD year!   Beautiful Chris Samnee art and a fun story by Langridge, what more can you ask for?

[aceguitarist3]

Went to my local shop and picked up what came in this week. unfortunately my shop didn't have much traffic for FCBD. Most people were allowed 2-3 issues but since it was so quiet and I know the guys there, they let me go off with whatever I wanted ( I took 7 and they had plenty, plenty of overstock). The Green Lantern issue was the one that people took the most.

Went to another shop in town that i visit occasionally and their FCBD was a huge success. He barely had any stuff left at the end of the day. I browsed around and bought some stuff just to support the store. It was a fun day all around.

[Andrew a.k.a. Fist-of-Khonshu]

Out of interest, what was the subject of your Colin Wilson Commission?
I've seen his work at the various Melbourne Cons and am thinking of asking for a sketch at the next one.

He drew a Western themed sketch, of a Rider on horseback surveying the plain. Really nice. Based on his Blueberry stuff. I would really suggest getting one from him, but make sure it's a character he knows. I asked him for a John Constantine, but he didn't know who the character was. He doesn't read anything mainstream. Colin does work on Star Wars books though, so that may be your best bet.

[Jeppe]

I love the Liam sketch, nice grab Bob 

Also looking forward to hearing your thoughts on all the issues. I'm bummed that I didn't manage to get a hold of Spontaneous 

[Jeppe]

Just in case anyone missed it, the FCBD issues of Super Dinosaur, Pixies, Adam West, Headache, Atomic Robo, Deadliest Sharks, Endangered, and The Intrepid EscapeGoat are on Comixology now  

[BobBretall]

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/05/comics-a-m-fcbd-2011-generated-1-5-million-in-publicity/

Retailing | Free Comic Book Day founder Joe Field reports that this year’s event drew between 300,000 and 500,000 people to participating retailers, and generated an estimated $1.5 million in publicity for comics and comics stores. “Free Comic Book Day may have been my idea ten years ago,  but seeing the remarkable things this event has done for the entire comics world is really encouraging,” he writes on his store’s blog. “Many of my comics retailer colleagues in the U.S., Canada and 40 other countries bring energy, creativity and enthusiasm to FCBD, making it a very special community event that is now the world’s largest annual comics’ event. All of this shows just how current the comics’ medium is — and how vital comic book specialty stores are to our local communities.”

Now it'd be nice to see it generate $1.5M in SALES

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

I read my almost-4-year-old daughter the Sketch Monsters/Power Lunch preview from Oni. We both loved it and will be buying them when they're released, but the great thing was she brought it with her when we went out for dinner a few nights later. She "read" the whole thing again while we waited for dinner and all you could see across the table was her little furrowed brow of concentration and comprehension over the top of the comic book. She reads her FCBD books regularly and then sits down at her art desk and draws her own comics. That's my favorite part of FCBD. 

[BobBretall]

I read my almost-4-year-old daughter the Sketch Monsters/Power Lunch preview from Oni. We both loved it and will be buying them when they're released

I love to hear things like this!