CGC Comics Celebrates More than 20 Years of Free Comic Book Day
Posted on 5/1/2024
CGC Comics™ is proud to the be Presenting Sponsor of Free Comic Book Day 2024! This year, FCBD is on May 4 (May the 4th be with us!) and 48 free comics will be available at participating comic book shops. CGC Comics is absolutely thrilled to be participating in this day of festivities with the comic community!
How it all started
Free Comic Book Day emerged from the collaborative efforts of comic book retailers, publishers and distributors. Conceived by Joe Field, a California retailer, the event was first proposed during a meeting of retailers in 2001 as a way to attract new readers to the medium. With the support of Diamond Comic Distributors and major publishers like Marvel and DC Comics, the inaugural Free Comic Book Day took place on May 4, 2002, coinciding with the release of the first major Spider-Man film.
The event offered specially printed comic books for free, showcasing a variety of titles from different publishers, with the goal of introducing readers to the diverse world of comics. Free Comic Book Day titles released in 2002 included Ultimate Spider-Man #1, Star Wars: Tales - A Jedi’s Weapon #1, Tomb Raider #1/2 and Justice League Adventures #1.
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According to Diamond, more than 2,000 comic book stores participated in the first FCBD in 2002, giving away more than 2 million comic books.
"I saw a long line of people waiting for a free scoop at the Baskin Robbins next to my store," Field said, in an article published by CNN in 2011. "Knowing that comics are even cooler than ice cream, I was convinced that publishers, retailers and our major distributor, Diamond, could all band together to do something powerful to attract people of all ages and interests to check out their local comics shops."
Over the years, Free Comic Book Day has grown into a significant event within the comic book community and beyond. It has become an annual tradition celebrated by comic book stores worldwide on the first Saturday of May. Beyond attracting new readers, FCBD serves as a platform for promoting upcoming releases, connecting creators with fans and fostering a sense of community among comic book enthusiasts. It has also gained attention from mainstream media outlets, helping to raise awareness about the cultural significance of comic books and graphic novels.
The impact of Free Comic Book Day extends beyond its role as a marketing tool for the comic book industry. It serves as a celebration of the art form, encouraging literacy and creativity among readers of all ages. FCBD provides an opportunity for fans to engage with their favorite characters and discover new stories, while also supporting local businesses. Moreover, the event promotes inclusivity by featuring a range of genres and creators, reflecting the growing diversity within the comic book industry.
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Since its inception, the number of participating stores has increased steadily, with thousands of retailers around the world joining the celebration each year. Additionally, the range of titles offered for free has expanded to include a wider variety of genres and formats, catering to diverse interests and tastes.
In 2024, CGC Comics announced that it is the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s FCBD events. As part of this unprecedented initiative, CGC is offering an all-new, complimentary FCBD label for all FCBD books submitted for grading, adding an extra layer of prestige to these limited editions. Comic books offered during the 2024 event as well as comics from previous years are eligible for the special label.
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"At CGC, we celebrate Free Comic Book Day along with the rest of the comic book community," said Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®), which includes CGC. "Now, we're proud to sponsor the event and make it even more special by offering collectors free exclusive labels that add a unique touch to their prized comic book treasures. It's our way of enhancing the joy of collecting and commemorating the magic that this event creates worldwide."
CGC has HUGE plans in store for collectors on May 4. Catch all of the action on CGC’s Instagram @CGCcomics and keep an eye out for our upcoming CGC x FCBD Bundle Giveaway. Maybe we’ll be at your local comic book shop on the big day!
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. The newest division of CGC, CGC Home Video, provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of home media.
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