From slice-of-life to superhero to mystery genres, comic book fans of all ages can help themselves to free select titles while supplies last on Free Comic Book Day, a nationwide event taking place Saturday at participating stores.

 

Now in its 16th year, Free Comic Book Day draws large crowds of readers eager to pick up free titles from industry publishers large and small, said Eric Burke, co-owner of Tribe Comics and Games.

 

“We probably see 5[00]-600 people at least,” Burke said. “We always have a whole group of our customers come in, in costume—one of our customers is a professional costume maker, so he dresses up all his friends in whatever theme he’s doing that year.”

 

Readers who visit Tribe Comics can pick up as many as five free comics, and no additional purchase is required. Burke said his store is also having a sale on Free Comic Book Day: Shoppers receive a 10 percent discount on store items, action figures and statues will be discounted 20 percent, and discontinued items will be 50 percent off during the sale.

 

Burke said his store has been a Free Comic Book Day participant since 2009, the year after his South Lamar Boulevard store opened. He said publishers sell the comics at a discount to stores to help build interest in the hobby.

 

“The big 20 or 25 publishers always put stuff out, and they usually have one or two titles,” he said, adding smaller publishers also contribute titles if they are able to make the deadline.

Over at Junior's Comics and Cards on Slaughter Lane, owner Henry Buchanan Jr. said he is expecting several hundred visitors over the course of the day. Customers can pick up one free copy of each comic per person while supplies last. The shop has been a Free Comic Book Day participant since the event's inception.

Buchanan said the idea is to build a relationship with new readers to ensure customer loyalty throughout the year.