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Free Comic Book Day 2005

Posted by Zonk on from the free-as-in-beer dept.

n00b_newbie writes "Nationwide, Free Comic Book Day 2005 is this Saturday. This years lineup includes some regulars like Batman, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, some comics for kids, and some indy comics. FBCD's website has some cover pics, and a store locator. The indy comics include Flight (gorgeous!), Owly (kids), Bone Sharps, Cowboys, and Thunder Lizards and a bunch of others."

130 comments

  1. so i guess that'd be.. by PopeAlien · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..free as in speech or free as in comic books? Can I still get the beer instead?

    --
    air and light and time and space
    1. Re:so i guess that'd be.. by minus_273 · · Score: 1

      no what we really need are GPL comics.. slashdot shoudl not promote free as in beer comics we need open source comics! if not GPL release it under the LGP that would make the comics much faster and more efficient.

      --
      The war with islam is a war on the beast
      The war on terror is a war for peace
  2. Finally after 20 years!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I get to see what happen to the Tandy Whiz Kids

    1. Re:Finally after 20 years!!! by CrazyTalk · · Score: 1

      LOL I remember those! Someone needs to mod parent up.

  3. Now's a good time to ask... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    People actually like comics? Could someone tell me why? They can't have the epicness of movies, or the interactivity of games, or the story of books. Not meant as a troll, I just want to know why.

    1. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by jbarket · · Score: 1

      Maybe you should check out FCBD and find out. They are free after all.

      --

      -----
      jonathan barket
    2. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by slashrogue · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You are operating under the false assumption that comic books cannot be epic or have book-quality stories. This simply isn't true. While it is probably true of the standard Marvel/DC monthly comic book issue, it is not true of the comic book as a medium. Trade paperbacks often contain epic stories in comic book format with drama and characters that you care about in the same way a good book or movie can get you to care about characters.

    3. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by Adrilla · · Score: 1

      They can be both epic and have great stories, probably just have to toss in a little imagination. The stories deal with morality, world issues, life and loss, and of course a little love and hate, and just about anything else you can think of. It's not all simply guys in tights shooting laserbeams. They can be deep tales just told in boxes and bubbles. As a guy who spent a good deal of my youth lost in them, I can tell you they can be quite exciting...and if all else fails, you get to look at the pretty pictures.

      --

      "Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
    4. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by bidaum · · Score: 1

      It's just my opinion of course, but thats completely untrue on all but the "interactivity of a games" count. Comics, like most any media, has a large percentage of crap... or at least stuff that doesn't appeal to a majority of people, and smaller percentage of work that is brilliant. There is a question of accessibility; my mother couldn't watch a cartoon and take it seriously to save her life, its just too childish to her. However, as I imagine a large number of slashdotters will attest, there is some very brilliant work to be found in animation. In most fields I think you'll find the best examples of really good work are relatively unknown and not mainstream. After awhile, said unknown piece or pieces may be adopted by larger distributors and overtime generisize (my new word for today) the bulk of the industry until the next new piece comes along. Its a story with pictures, there's terrible and good, but do you really think they can't tell a good story? Have you ever read Bone, Watchmen, Sin City, Powers, Sandman, and anything at all by Sam Kieth, Berserk, Fables, Y?

    5. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by mankey+wanker · · Score: 1

      That's a really uneducated opinion, clearly.

      I assume you are judging the artform from the perspective of someone that has maybe read a superhero book or two, a funny animal cartoon book, or maybe Archie comics. That's really not much to go on.

      There are real artists working in comics and they are able to create works of incredible depth. Good names to look for include: Jack Kirby, Matthias Schultheiss, Enki Bilal, Alan Moore, Harvey Kurtzman, William elder, Winsor McCay, Barry Smith, Jim Steranko, Robert Crumb, Jean Girard (a.k.a. Moebius), Wally Wood, Will Eisner, and Bernie Krigstein.

      It is sometimes argued that Winsor McCay was an early surrealist for his work in the sunday comic strip "Little Nemo in Slumberland."

      It's also worth noting that many movies are based on comicbook works.

      This kind of exposition could go on almost forever so I'll just say that there is plenty more to say in this area and that you are dead wrong in your presumptions.

    6. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by bidaum · · Score: 1

      Little Nemo even made a cool video game.

    7. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by GoofyBoy · · Score: 1

      It really depends who you are.

      For some, movies are pretty pale compaired to books ("The book is much better"). Same can be said for any entertainment medium.

      Go to a book store and flip through some books and see what grabs you. It really depends what interests you.

      --
      The surprise isn't how often we make bad choices; the surprise is how seldom they defeat us.
    8. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by Bin_jammin · · Score: 1

      You know, it's kinda funny, but the art in a lot of comics tells a story more than you could with pages of words. You have only a few pages to tell the issue's story, and each panel has to convey the most information possible. Lately I find myself watching a lot of movies, and picturing each shot as a panel in a comic book. Now that I've redorkulated, I'll just leave with the thought that image wise, comics are like movies visually concentrated, like orange juice.

    9. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by Council · · Score: 1

      People actually like comics? Could someone tell me why? They can't have the epicness of movies, or the interactivity of games, or the story of books. Not meant as a troll, I just want to know why.

      Both my best friend and my girlfriend, extraordinarially cultured people, are really into Sandman, by Neil Gaiman. The good ones apparently like to be called graphic novels, which I guess is a pretty good term. They're intense, long, involved, and very artistic. Or so I'm told.

      Oh, and there's Blankets, a sweet and bitersweet story that said GF gave me. Very good, certainly on par with any book of the sort I've read. Though I'm not usually one for the touching-autobiographical-narrative-of-first-love- while-growing-up-among-families-with-issues sort of story.

      Anyway, from what I hear, this is an up-and-coming genre. But I'm not sure how much these are the comic books referred to in FCBD.

      Any of y'all know?

      --
      xkcd.com - a webcomic of mathematics, love, and language.
    10. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by bigbigbison · · Score: 1

      The epicness of movies is a really bad example. It costs the same to draw a comic that is a small scale story about relationships as it does to draw a comic with thousands of people fighting a huge battle with lasers and alien creatures. Comic books, unlike films are only bounded by their imaginations. There has never been a comic book where a scene has had to have been changed because someone said, "It would be too expensive to make that scene happen."

      Go to the local library and they will probably have a copy of Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics. Read it and you will see why comic books are a unique medium that does things that no other medium can do. (Of course every medium has things no other medium can do, so that isn't to imply comics are better than any other medium.)

      --
      http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players
    11. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Comics happen to fit the definition of 'epic' very, very well.

      1. [n] a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds

      Comics are very long (superman has been going since the 1930's with only a couple continuity breaks) and they obviously have extraordinary heros and deeds.

      Comics are now what myth once was.

    12. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by Meagermanx · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It's time for somebody to take a trip to Boneville.
      http://www.boneville.com/

    13. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by westlake · · Score: 1
      There has never been a comic book where a scene has had to have been changed because someone said, "It would be too expensive to make that scene happen."

      A publisher still has to grapple with the limitations of production costs, formats, schedules and markets.

    14. Re:Now's a good time to ask... by bigbigbison · · Score: 1

      But that isn't a scene. it is a format. That's the same as the differences between filming something on video, 35mm or IMAX. That doesn't have much to do with the actual pictures in the comic book. Even the content is not talked about in terms of expenses but in terms of sales. The costs to make a comic are always more or less the same as long as it is in the same format(and other formats are nearly always seen as gimmics rather than an artistic preference), unlike a film where there is an immense range in the production costs of films that are created in the same format. A 35mm film can cost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions. A standard size, page count and paper quality comic will cost the same to produce. Of course, like films, the costs of advertising can vary and the cost per copy is reduced the more that are manufactured.

      --
      http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players
  4. Owly rocks! by BobWeiner · · Score: 2, Interesting

    One of the most impressive comics I've seen in a long while. I'd love to see Owly collected into a hardback edition with color.

    --
    The PC Weenies: 11 Years of Online Tech 'Too
  5. free as in beer! by cryptoz · · Score: 1

    So I wonder if the comic books being given away are worth anything, anything at all? That is, are they just the ones you can buy anywhere for a few cents? And why not free as in speech, too? I'd be much happier that way...

    Well, I live in Canada, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. There should be an effort to turn this into an international event, rather that just an American one...

    1. Re:free as in beer! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      It's in Canada too. Put your Postal Code in the locater.

      -Untamed

    2. Re:free as in beer! by zootm · · Score: 1
      Well, I live in Canada, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. There should be an effort to turn this into an international event, rather that just an American one...
      It is. There are participating stores worldwide, it's just more prolific and the states and Canada (the site mentions "North America and around the world"). Their store locator even works with Canadian addresses (whereas I had to go through a couple of menus to find out I need to sit on a bus for 3 hours to get a free comic...).
    3. Re:free as in beer! by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 2, Interesting

      worth anything as in re-selling them?

      Who cares? you're getting free entertainment. If that's not worth anything to you, then you're beyond help.

      The point is to get new people interested in the comic book medium.

      And it's not really just American/USian. it's something for anyone that cares to promote it.

      --
      "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    4. Re:free as in beer! by shawb · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Browsing through the covers, it seems that these are all "free comic book day" editions. That means that this is basically an advertising stunt. First one's free and all that.

      (I'm not saying that I'm against it at all... a perfect way to get new people into the medium, or just to introduce people to your particular work.)

      --
      I'll never make that mistake again, reading the experts' opinions. - Feynman
    5. Re:free as in beer! by Hypersky · · Score: 1

      I live in Canada too, and they have stores very close to my house where I can get some... if you go on the ebsite, you can actually type in a canadian postal code, not just a zip code...

    6. Re:free as in beer! by chromaphobic · · Score: 1

      And why not free as in speech, too? I'd be much happier that way...

      The closest you'll probably get is Dave Sim's Cerebus. He's made the character of Cerebus an un-protected trademark, which means that anybody who wants to do their own Cerebus comic can do so.

      Additionally, he's gotten all the paperwork done to make the entire 300 issue series public domain upon the deaths of him and co-artist Gerhard.

  6. BOFH by rice_burners_suck · · Score: 1
    You know, I really wish they'd bring back the BOFH (Bastard Operator From Hell) in a new series of comic strips. Those were some of the greatest stories, and I have to say that unfortunately, they have shaped the way I deal with computers that are completely hosed.

    Someone brings me a computer... I don't know why this is so slow! So what do I do? Realize there's some spyware or something, because they use Windows... And then blow everything off the system, write zeroes all over the hard drive, and reinstall from scratch using my custom install disc that produces a "proper" Windows installation, if you can call Windows proper at all.

    Of course, I have a bit of a soft spot, so I back up their data files first.

    1. Re:BOFH by shrikel · · Score: 1

      Bring him back? Where has he been?

      --
      Any sufficiently simple magic can be passed off as mere advanced technology.
    2. Re:BOFH by EnronHaliburton2004 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah, but BOFH in a *comic* format, with *pictures* sort of goes against the whole BOFH mythos. What, you think this stuff is supposed to be easy?

      --
      94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
    3. Re:BOFH by shawb · · Score: 2, Funny

      You really can't see it?

      It would have to be from the BOFH's perspective.

      First panel: the glow of a monitor sillouhetting the top of a Mt. Dew can.

      Second panel: the can is lowered to show the office: empty cans, random cards lying about the room, boxen with no cover, hard drives, multiple monitors on either the command line, a text editor or an FPS.

      Third panel (or even later if you want to instill drama)pan to the right to face the mortal enemy: the lUser: "I think my cup holder is broken."

      --
      I'll never make that mistake again, reading the experts' opinions. - Feynman
    4. Re:BOFH by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh if you really want to invoke a harsher rule, you'd install Linux so the luser doesn't bother you anymore. Either that or pop in VNC, a keylogger, strip off 256MB of memory, run Win98 (don't quite need the 512MB anymore and will still appear faster than current machine).

      If you get them to believe the machine is completely hosed, you can convince them that their data is all infected and non-recoverable. Remind them to back up the data next time, smile, and roast that drive without remorse.

      Now that's deserving of being called a bastard.

  7. "Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by chucken · · Score: 3, Insightful
    "Nationwide"? Which nation would that be?

    Hint: america is not the only nation in the world.

    1. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Sairret · · Score: 1

      Well if you don't live in America, then it don't apply to you. Seems simple enough.

    2. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by cryptoz · · Score: 1, Troll

      $10 says that if I submit a story to /. about a "nationwide" event held in luxembourg, it wouldn't get accepted. It's just a matter of nationalism and americans being taught that they are the best in the world. I'm not trying to be a troll here; the British have always been taught the same thing, the Germans went through it, the French, etc...it's not BAD exactly, as much as it is a comment of the times.

      I live in Canada and get this sort of thing all the time. One gets used to it after a while.

    3. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by handsoffate · · Score: 1

      In fact, America is not a nation at all.
      http://www.dcc.uchile.cl/~rbaeza/inf/american.html

    4. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Adrilla · · Score: 2, Informative

      Slashdot is US Centric it's in the FAQ.

      --

      "Plans are for fools! Oglethorpe, the plutonian (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)
    5. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Capt'n+Hector · · Score: 4, Insightful
      "Nationwide"? Which nation would that be?

      Hint: america is not the only nation in the world.

      Hint: Slashdot is owned and operated in the US by Americans. Not draw any other comparisons, but if the New York Times said "nationwide" you wouldn't bat an eye.

      --
      Quid festinatio swallonis est aetherfuga inonusti?
      Africus aut Europaeus?
    6. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by slashrogue · · Score: 2, Informative

      10. Is this just happening in the U.S.?

      Any comic book store in the world can participate in Free Comic Book Day, although there may be some limitations on which titles are available in which countries due to licensing and other considerations. If you want your local store to get involved, let them know!

      From the FAQ

    7. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Shky · · Score: 1

      Nationwide Canada, as well. The website allows you to search by zip and postal code to find supporting stores. http://www.freecomicbookday.com/fcbd_locator.asp

      --
      CC Licensed Serialized Story and Podcast: Ingenioustries
    8. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Senjutsu · · Score: 1

      Well if you don't live in America, then it don't apply to you. Seems simple enough.

      Except that I don't live in the US and it does apply to me.

    9. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by bdc0 · · Score: 1

      I was going to get mine at Android's Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop, in Springfield. I'm still trying to figure out which state. http://animatedtv.about.com/od/comicbookguy/p/prof ilecbg.htm :-)

    10. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by zootm · · Score: 1

      The problem here seems to be that the article here is saying that the event is "nationwide", whereas the site defines said nation as "North America and around the world". The submitter was probably a Utopian world-state dreamer, though.

    11. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Seumas · · Score: 1

      It's just a matter of nationalism and americans being taught that they are the best in the world.

      The hell it is. Slashdot is owned by an American company, operated by American staff, in America and the hardware is based in an American server center. As someone else clearly explained elsewhere here, you wouldn't get your panties in a twist of the Wallstreet Journal said "nationwide" or if the Chicago Tribune said "citywide" without qualifying which city or nation.

      You guys really have nothing better to do than to whine about something like that? And you're telling me that, say, UK or German homed news services don't speak in the same obvious way?

    12. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by StarWreck · · Score: 1

      Earth to smart-ass. The full name of the "US" is "The United States of America". The Word "America" is not located in the full name of any nation located in either North America or South America.

      This is simmilar to how people from Great Britain are not Greatians, they are British!!

      Would you prefer people in the US were called USians? or Statsians? or Unitians? No, their freaking Americans!

      People from Mexico are Mexians. People from Canada are Canadians. People from Brazil are Brazilians. People from Colombia are Colombians. People from Cuba are Cubans. People from France are French!

      --
      ... and in the DRM, bind them.
    13. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And people with tripod pages spell at a third-grade level.

      Hey, you should apply for editor here on Slashdot!

    14. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by StarWreck · · Score: 1

      And people who don't back up anything they say and make fun of a 5 year old website post as Anonymous Coward. Because you are a Coward.

      --
      ... and in the DRM, bind them.
    15. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is simmilar to how people from Great Britain are not Greatians, they are British!!

      Would you prefer people in the US were called USians? or Statsians? or Unitians? No, their freaking Americans!

      He's not making fun of a 5-year-old website, he's making fun of you now.

    16. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is so.

    17. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by StuffJustHappens · · Score: 1

      Yeah, but "New York" kinda gives the game away. If this site was called "Slashdot USA" maybe I'd agree with you.

      --
      --What's this sig thing all about then? Should I have one?
    18. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      New York being in New York doesn't give it away?

      You have to have the geographic name in the title?

      Another jealous Eurotard.

    19. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fuck off. We own you're sorry ass.

    20. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by chucken · · Score: 1

      Slashdot is "News for nerds. Stuff that matters." and not "News for ners in the US." It does not have anything american in the title, whereas NY Times obviously is american. And many contributors to slashdot come from outside the US.

    21. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by chucken · · Score: 1

      Fuck off. We own you're sorry ass. That would be spelled your, my anonymous coward friend. pwned!

    22. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by chucken · · Score: 1
      So quick to jump to insults....

      Your aol^h^h^hinsecurity is showing.

    23. Re:"Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? by siriuskase · · Score: 1

      Conversely, no store must participate, not even in the USA.

      --
      If you must moderate, please moderate as irrelevent, not something bad, because I'm sure someone will find this interest
  8. In case of slashdotting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Free Comic Book Day 2005 Entertainment Posted by Zonk on Friday May 06, @07:37PM from the free-as-in-beer dept. n00b_newbie writes "Nationwide, Free Comic Book Day 2005 is this Saturday. This years lineup includes some regulars like Batman, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, some comics for kids, and some indy comics. FBCD's website has some cover pics, and a store locator. The indy comics include Flight (gorgeous!), Owly (kids), Bone Sharps, Cowboys, and Thunder Lizards and a bunch of others." Slashdot Log In Nickname: Password: Public Terminal [ Create a new account ] Related Links Compare prices on Entertainment Items Review IT Products n00b_newbie Free Comic Book Day 2005 cover pics store locator Flight (gorgeous!) Owly (kids) Bone Sharps, Cowboys, and Thunder Lizards More Entertainment stories Free Comic Book Day 2005 | Log in/Create an Account | Top | 9 comments | Search Discussion Threshold: The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. so i guess that'd be.. (Score:2) by PopeAlien (164869) on Friday May 06, @07:39PM (#12458479) (http://www.popealien.com/ | Last Journal: Monday March 07, @12:54AM) ..free as in speech or free as in comic books? Can I still get the beer instead? [ Reply to This ] Finally after 20 years!!! (Score:0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 06, @07:39PM (#12458485) I get to see what happen to the Tandy Whiz Kids [atarimagazines.com] [ Reply to This ] first (Score:0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 06, @07:41PM (#12458493) first comment! [ Reply to This ] * Re:first by Anonymous Coward Friday May 06, @07:42PM Now's a good time to ask... (Score:0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 06, @07:41PM (#12458499) People actually like comics? Could someone tell me why? They can't have the epicness of movies, or the interactivity of games, or the story of books. Not meant as a troll, I just want to know why. [ Reply to This ] Owly rocks! (Score:2) by BobWeiner (83404) on Friday May 06, @07:41PM (#12458503) (http://www.pcweenies.org/ | Last Journal: Wednesday January 12, @07:05PM) One of the most impressive comics I've seen in a long while. I'd love to see Owly collected into a hardback edition with color. [ Reply to This ] free as in beer! (Score:1) by cryptoz (878581) on Friday May 06, @07:42PM (#12458504) (http://www.sheehy.ca/crypto/forum) So I wonder if the comic books being given away are worth anything, anything at all? That is, are they just the ones you can buy anywhere for a few cents? And why not free as in speech, too? I'd be much happier that way... Well, I live in Canada, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. There should be an effort to turn this into an international event, rather that just an American one... [ Reply to This ] BOFH (Score:2) by rice_burners_suck (243660) on Friday May 06, @07:42PM (#12458509) (http://slashdot.org/ | Last Journal: Monday April 04, @12:23AM) You know, I really wish they'd bring back the BOFH (Bastard Operator From Hell) in a new series of comic strips. Those were some of the greatest stories, and I have to say that unfortunately, they have shaped the way I deal with computers that are completely hosed. Someone brings me a computer... I don't know why this is so slow! So what do I do? Realize there's some spyware or something, because they use Windows... And then blow everything off the system, write zeroes all over the hard drive, and reinstall from scratch using my custom install disc that produces a "proper" Windows installation, if you can call Windows proper at all. Of course, I have a bit of a soft spot, so I back up their data files first. "Nationwide"? For what values of 'nation'? (Score:1) by chucken (750893) on Friday May 06, @07:44PM (#12458519) "Nationwide"? Which nation would that be? Hint: america is not the only nation in the world.

    1. Re:In case of slashdotting by Reignking · · Score: 1

      karma whore. you must be trip master monkey

      --
      One man's Funny is another man's Offtopic.
  9. funny how this story comes up by fliptout · · Score: 1

    I was just looking on ebay to see what I could get for my 1989-92 era comic book collection... Less than I spent buying the stuff. Guess the comics and collector cards will be spending another 15 or 20 years before I try to sell them again. I always thought it was a dumb hobby, but I went along with my friends. :P

    --
    A witty saying proves you are wittier than the next guy.
    1. Re:funny how this story comes up by yotto · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I've been saving these comics I bought in the 80's (Some of them I spent $20 on to get back copies to have a full set), and they're worth almost nothing. Maybe I should unload my magic cards now?

      --
      Pulp Audio Weekly - Geek News and Reviews
    2. Re:funny how this story comes up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Here's a secret: don't keep a comic book collection just because it may be worth some money. Keep it because you think they're kinda cool, or you want to show your kids someday (Okay, Nieces and Nephews for the "but this is Slashdot" trolls.) Or because you just like collecting stuff.

      If you keep them because there might be monetary value someday, news flash: chances are you will spend more money on preserving, acquiring, storing, etc than you ever have a chance of getting back. And the prices listed on web sites or in magazines? That's not what you can get for your copy that's actually been read or exposed to the light or too much humidity, or a little dust. That's the price that a retailer will charge for a pristine (and I mean pristine) copy.) And he probably won't even be able to sell if for that price.

    3. Re:funny how this story comes up by mankey+wanker · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Tulip madness.

      Why buy to collect? Why buy to speculate? You're as bad as a chump putting his first foot down in Las Vegas with plans to make $$$ rather than see the shows and hit the buffets.

      You buy comics to enjoy them - just like you enjoy music, movies, live performance, TV, sporting events, books, and magazines. If you don't enjoy it, don't spend your money on it.

      If you thought there was money to be made in it, that's just big business separating a sucker from his wallet. You lost.

    4. Re:funny how this story comes up by fliptout · · Score: 1

      I suppose you never wasted money when you were 10 years old?

      --
      A witty saying proves you are wittier than the next guy.
    5. Re:funny how this story comes up by rizzo5 · · Score: 1

      I totally agree. I have a lot of comics and they're all pretty much worth less than toilet paper monitarily, seeing as how they're mostly black and white independent books that have nothing to do with superheroes, but I have no intention to sell them just like I don't have any intention to sell any of my other books. I like to re-read them from time to time and that's worth a lot more to me personally than attempting to treat them as a commodity or an investment.

    6. Re:funny how this story comes up by mankey+wanker · · Score: 1

      How the hell am I supposed to know your age? Why should I care? What I wrote still applies, child or not.

  10. Learn how to draw comics ! by zymano · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Why not learn how to draw anime and comics too while your at it !

    1. Re:Learn how to draw comics ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For the love of god, please don't. Deviant Art is already flooded with godawful fantasy and anime "art".

    2. Re:Learn how to draw comics ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Deviant Art is already flooded with godawful fantasy and anime "art".

      And if you find any there that actually look good, it probably is stolen.

  11. Oh boy! by nyxon · · Score: 1

    I hope they give Amazing Spiderman #1! - nYx

    1. Re:Oh boy! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd rather have Amazing Fantasy #15, but any early Spiderman will do. Action Comics #1 would be nice also.

  12. Reading comics and driving by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Sweet, drive 20 miles for a 3 cent comic. Im there.

    1. Re:Reading comics and driving by crimson30 · · Score: 1

      Sweet, drive 20 miles for a 3 cent comic. Im there.

      Well, maybe if you were a little more geeky, it would be convenient since plenty of comic stores have shifted inventories to tabletop games and such. For instance, I'll be at my local comic shop tomorrow to deliver some magic beatings and I'll be sure to pick up a free comic.

  13. Nationwide? by gzur · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think it qualifies as international - I live in Northern-Europe and we're celebrating it here.

    --
    [sig]It's a secret to everybody[/sig]
    1. Re:Nationwide? by zootm · · Score: 1
      I think it qualifies as international - I live in Northern-Europe and we're celebrating it here.

      Yep, the facts that their postal code store locator encompasses Canada, and that their FAQ restricts the event to "North America and around the world", seem to indicate that this is, in fact, an international event. I'm sure the editors will realise their mistake and correct it, though.

      Hahahaha, I'm just pulling your leg. It'll stay like that.

  14. My kinda day! by Hulkster · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The Big Green Guy says sounds like SMASHING fun to him! ;-)

  15. A ha a semi-relevant thread by ChozCunningham · · Score: 1
    I've googled, I've searched communities, I've emailed people, now I have the fleeting attention of the /. Horde....

    Are there any ongoing webcomics where I can get a fix of traditional superhero style comics?

    I really enjoyed Zot, and have even enjoyed marvel.com's online samples, but I cant find any ongoing superhero stuff that isn't way scifi, cynical teen angst, or 404'd. What gives?

    --
    Looks good for your age..
  16. Hey! by Stanza · · Score: 1


    Be careful telling the world! The comic book stores run out of comics, you know. If you tell everyone and they show up before me, I won't get any good comics!

    or you could take this as a hint to show up early if you don't want the remainders (usually Archie, for some reason).

  17. As I call it: by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    "Desperate fro Business Day 2005!!!"

    1. Re:As I call it: by Danger+Stevens · · Score: 1

      Desperate fro Business Day 2005

      Historically, this has been any day that a slashdot reader with puffy hair goes to work.

      --
      World Changing - News for Humans, Stuff about our planet
  18. A ha a semi-relevant thread-The Spandex Age. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Are there any ongoing webcomics where I can get a fix of traditional superhero style comics?"

    Something like the Incredibles? Or something darker? Or are we talking Golden, silver age?

    1. Re:A ha a semi-relevant thread-The Spandex Age. by ChozCunningham · · Score: 1
      Something not like the Incredibles, which is well grounded in a toungue-in-cheek view of the genre. Otherwise, pretty much anything from same vein as published silver-age and on, or Golden age-style that seemed to take itself moderately seriously.

      I particularly enjoy a lot of vertigo-style stuff, and the 'edgier' traditional hero stuff, a la Batman, Animal Man. But I'd be happy to find something that was x-men or Fantastic 4-like, too.

      --
      Looks good for your age..
  19. Comic-making for the unfocused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The way you learn to do comics is by making comics, lots of them. The drawing matters less than the writing as far as making something people will read, so I would actually ignore all the tutorials until you're interested in the DRAWING. Just pump out bare panels that contain dialogue with stick figures attached, until you have a story you'd want to make look good. (the beauty of comic writing is that you can walk through a story and move to the next one very quickly if you feel like it by cutting the number of panels to all the key events - or you can do something like Megatokyo and write page after page of nothing)

    And then the way you learn to draw is by practicing drawing regularly, at least once or twice a week. If you want more detailed and realistic characters, get an anatomy book and copy out bits over and over until you know exactly how everything should be placed. If you want a more full range of poses, keep trying the difficult ones and consider a book like Hogarth's "Dynamic Figure Drawing." If you want less standard subjects(obese people, bodybuilders, animals) get lots of photographic reference.

    Only after all of that stuff would I actually move on to genuine cartooning - you can avoid ever trying realism, but then you're limited in what you can portray.

    To do all of that can be "work" but it can also add up to a pleasing hobby, something a little more rewarding then reading Slashdot for another hour each day.

    1. Re:Comic-making for the unfocused by zymano · · Score: 1

      drawing/sketching links are there too.

    2. Re:Comic-making for the unfocused by Bilestoad · · Score: 1

      Skip Hogarth!

      Get your favorite P2P app fired up and look for "Figure Drawing For All It's Worth" by Andrew Loomis. Don't feel too guilty about downloading a PDF of this book, it is long out of print and used copies start at about $120 (if you can find them) - but it's one of the best ever written.

    3. Re:Comic-making for the unfocused by zymano · · Score: 1

      Damnit Bile , that aint ethical

      Ok, will do!

  20. WOOT Free comics beeyotch! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm gonna git mines tomorrow yeaeee-yeah!

  21. Sweet! by citking · · Score: 3, Funny
    Now I know what to tell the cops when those guys call the cops for my five-finger discount!

    "But..but...Slashdot said it was free comic book day!"

    --
    "This food is problematic."
  22. Mommy, buy me this by pipingguy · · Score: 1


    Is it just some weird coincidence that Free Comic Book Day happens one day before Mothers' Day?

  23. A first! by droche · · Score: 1

    Real world slashdotting!!! You thought seeing a SERVER go up in flames was bad....

  24. If you Live In LAS VEGAS by psychopracter · · Score: 5, Informative

    From 12pm to 3pm Alternate Reality Comics (4800 S. Maryland Parkway) is not only giving out free (as in beer) comics, but creators Bill Willingham (Elementals, Fables, Robin) and Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets) will be on hand to sign books and do sketches.


    Disclosure: The owner of Alternate Reality is my husband


    --
    OS X:*nix for the real world.
    1. Re:If you Live In LAS VEGAS by bidaum · · Score: 1

      Oh man, thats pretty cool. Love and Rockets is one of my all time favorites.

    2. Re:If you Live In LAS VEGAS by psychopracter · · Score: 1

      Alas, Love and Rockets is not one of the freebees, but we have the trades (if you can't find your originals).

      No purchase necessary to have items signed.

      --
      OS X:*nix for the real world.
    3. Re:If you Live In LAS VEGAS by bidaum · · Score: 1

      Oh, I was just touting L&R, I don't even live in Las Vegas... wish I did right now though.

  25. ob. Simpsons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Best.Day.Ever.

    Or if owned a comic book store would it be
    Worst.Day.Ever

  26. Not really a "comment of the times." by Kagami001 · · Score: 1

    I don't think "best in the world" really has much to do with it. Human beings in general think in a local context, and refer to things out of habit based on the default values of their local culture. And that's hardly a recent development.

    English sites probably catch an unfair amount of flak for this. If an article on slashdot.jp used the word "zenkoku" without specifying the country, it's unlikely anyone would complain, because people take the language of the site (Japanese) to define its locale defaults. Slashdot has an FAQ which clarifies its U.S. point-of-view default, which will have to suffice.

    (As a side note, I do think that the way most Americans now think of themselves as citizens of one nation rather than citizens of individual states IS an interesting sign of the times.)

  27. I say FU to present day comics by SengirV · · Score: 0, Troll

    I refuse to purchase new comics because they have such a communist/socialist/anti capitalist agenda that it actually sickens me to read them. I know people who are/have cancelled subscriptions because of this very problem.

    When Thor wants to be worshiped as a GOD and ridicules anyone who worship other Gods(it was obviously Roman Catholic because of the priests) because "what have they ever done for you, I am right here", then you know the old "Good vs Evil" days of comics are gone, as so is my money.

    And they wonder why comics are dying - morons.

    --

    Prof. Farnsworth - "Oh a lesson in not changing history from Mr I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!"

    1. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [sarcasm] yeah, batman fights the communists in almost every issue of the later batman comics. and dont get me started on the dark horse star wars comics, and spider-man!!! OMG!!! spider-man is the ultimate anit-communist fighter. dresses in a red suit and slings his web around new york to fight your average criminal or super villan (who By the way is usually a rich capitalist) OMG!!! this world is so perverted with anti communist and anti capitalist filth. [/sarcasm]

      as for thor, i suggest reading up on some celtic myths. thor isnt just a comic hero, he's an ancient myth who, in some stories, is a god.

    2. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Danger+Stevens · · Score: 3, Funny

      I hate how nowadays comics have become politically charged.

      Give me the good ol' wholesome days of Captain America fighting 'Red' Skull anyday.

      --
      World Changing - News for Humans, Stuff about our planet
    3. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Photon+Ghoul · · Score: 1

      Oh, so the whole coupla bucks per comic and subscription thing is a communist/socialist/anti-capitalist way of doing business? Sweet!

      1. Take up communism/socialism/anti-capitalism
      2. Publish Comics
      3. ????
      4. Profit!!

      Or is it "In Soviet Russia, Communist/Socialist/Anti-Capitalist Profits You!" ?

    4. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Urusai · · Score: 1

      Catholics are stand-ins for generic Christians, because they have identifiable iconography, and Americans recognize them (vs. Orthodox). They also have a long history, which lets you add an element of antiquity to your fiction. Catholics are known as being superstitious, and so are make easy targets.

      If reading a communist/socialist/anti-capitalist agenda makes you sick, imagine how I feel about the reactionary/fascist/oligarchical agenda that's being shoved in my face IN REAL LIFE.

    5. Re:I say FU to present day comics by No+Such+Agency · · Score: 1

      He was "Red Skull" not "Red" Skull. That makes him sound like a goddam commie instead of a goddam Nazi. Anyway the beauty of him being a Nazi was that Cappy didn't have to pull any punches. To paraphrase, "I love Nazis. No matter what you do to them, you don't feel bad."

      --
      Freedom: "I won't!"
    6. Re:I say FU to present day comics by SengirV · · Score: 1

      Thanks for that heads up, I would have never known [/sarcasm]

      The point was that he USED to fight for good against evil. Now it's changed to denigrating organized religion, especially catholic.

      --

      Prof. Farnsworth - "Oh a lesson in not changing history from Mr I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!"

    7. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Danger+Stevens · · Score: 1

      I know the guy's name, it's just that the villian in this series is represented by a color that would routinely be used in association with anti-american sentiment - even beyond the Nazis. It was a very politically-charged comic.

      In fact, Red Skull was a Communist in Captain America Comics #61 (1950). While the original Red Skull was in suspended animation the leader of a communist Algerian group posed as him and fought Captain America IV.

      source: http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/rskul2.htm

      --
      World Changing - News for Humans, Stuff about our planet
    8. Re:I say FU to present day comics by SengirV · · Score: 1

      Well, you can choose to avoid it by reading the NY Times and Washington Post and watching CNN or BBC.

      Just like I have chosen to ignore socialist indoctrination by avoiding present day comics.

      --

      Prof. Farnsworth - "Oh a lesson in not changing history from Mr I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!"

    9. Re:I say FU to present day comics by SengirV · · Score: 1

      And Cap'n America then joined wth Thor's Avengers to fight evil critters like Kang, Baron Zemo, Dr. Doom, etc...

      Now Thor is making fun of Catholics and any form of organized religion. Well, in your world, I guess that is still fighting evil. So you don't have a problem with that.

      --

      Prof. Farnsworth - "Oh a lesson in not changing history from Mr I'm-My-Own-Grandpa!"

    10. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Danger+Stevens · · Score: 1

      Heh, it's a good thing real life America never had to go up against Baron Zemo. He'd be a tough cookie let me tell you.

      Before I have to look like an idiot attacking Kang's political views I'm going to quit saying 'Foo' to any comics - present day or otherwise.

      --
      World Changing - News for Humans, Stuff about our planet
    11. Re:I say FU to present day comics by bigbigbison · · Score: 1

      What? What does Thor wanting to be worhiped as a god have to do with communism/socialism/anti-capitalism????
      As far as Thor wanting to be worshiped, well, he is Thor.
      There are tons of comics that are less controversial than that. The whole DC line that is inspired by the Cartoon Network versions of the Teen Titans and the Justice League come to mind.
      How many superheroes are millionaires for that matter? I find it hard to beleive that Batman, aka millionaire bruce Wayne, would ever be anti-capitalist or even communist or socialist since both of those are about the community while Batman is such a loner and individualist. Captian America is a communist/socialist/anticapitalist???? While I can think of some examples of comic books that do have that agenda, I can think of several more that don't.

      --
      http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players
    12. Re:I say FU to present day comics by Quattro+Vezina · · Score: 1

      As someone who has been reading comics regularly since 1996, I can safely say that you are talking out of your ass.

      Furthermore, I would advise you to seek professional help, as delusions of persecution are the major symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.

      Also, as I've read that entire Thor story (and loved all of it except for the rushed ending, which wasn't the writer's fault, as he was pulled off the book when he was halfway finished writing the issue that ended up becoming the final part), I can safely say that the entire point of the story was that Thor was going down a very slippery slope. First his acts were beneficial, then he started becoming more arrogant, and then he started completely losing it...

      --
      I support the Center for Consumer Freedom
  28. FBCD != FCBD by flood6 · · Score: 4, Funny
    FBCD

    Free ...?Book?...?Comic...Day?

    --
    SEO Firefox Extension
  29. Perfect Timing... by Ruarris · · Score: 1

    Just my luck...I'll be in school taking the friekin SAT's all day. By the time I get out, the stores'll be sold out :( Oh Well, maybe it's time i re-arrange my priorities.

  30. George Perez by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is apparently local to my town and will be at ACME Comics in Longwood, FL tomorrow.

    Mr Perez was a huge influence on my drawing style back when I was in highschool in the late 80's, and has always been one of my favorites.

    I'll get to meet one of my heros tomorrow.

    I can't wait.

    --
    "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
  31. (OT) Request: Help From Moderators by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Would someone with points mind going back and modding the following page-widening posts into oblivion? Those of us browsing with smaller screens would appreciate it. Thanks.

  32. noooo!!!!!!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    WHYYY wont they do this in Australia????!!

  33. Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Maybe. I think I saw that tomorrow is National Homebrewing Day as well.

  34. This is why I hate "us" by TheHonestTruth · · Score: 1
    Only on slashdot can people GRIPE about getting free comic books!

    -truth

    --

    I had a steady B+ in my AI class until I failed the Turing test...

  35. Re:Mommy, buy me this Batman by saskboy · · Score: 1

    What may be a bigger coincidence, is this guy selling his Batman #1, and the auction ends tonight, just before he'd have to give it away for free ;-)
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&cate gory=35751&item=6528451650&rd=1
    [yes I'm kidding]

    --
    Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
  36. movies good, comics, not then? DOH by AussieVamp2 · · Score: 0

    You mean people like movies like Spider-man, Batman, Superman, X-Men, Sin City, Hulk, Men In Black, The Crow, Punisher, Daredevil, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Daredevil, Blade, Elektra, Hellboy, Ghostworld, American Splendor, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, From Hell, The Mask, Spawn, Tank Girl... not to mention Akira et. al.

    --
    Not Free SF Reader
  37. Last year at a better time by LoverOfJoy · · Score: 1

    Last year's Free Comic Book Day was better for Americans. It was on the Fourth of July. People discovered it as they were out at parades and the storefront was handing out free comics. This helped introduce people to comics who would otherwise not have considered it. This year? My guess is that few people will know about it unless they are comic book fans already. I nearly missed it and I loved comics as a kid. I only found out through slashdot.

  38. Yeah... Lets help the trolls out.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    By modding down the crap flood posts in their little hangout.

    Won't someone think of the trolls? ...... Yeah, right.

    Why don't you just get a real web browser instead?

  39. I'm not talking media... by Urusai · · Score: 1

    I'm talking Real Life. I choose to avoid that by staying indoors posting on Slashdot and playing computer games...or is it just because I can't get a job?

  40. Re:american comics? by lahi · · Score: 1

    Well, I don't quite agree. Donald Duck comics as they were made by Carl Barks are superior to _anything_ in my view, even a Belgian classic like Tintin, Don Rosa's Duck stories are also worth reading, although they pale in comparison with Barks.

    -Lasse

  41. free as in trick-kids-into-reading-something free by __int64 · · Score: 3, Funny

    No their going to give out those crappy ones you got a few times as a kid, you know what I'm talking about? The ones where Spiderman gets sexually molested and has to talk about it with his parents? At first you thought, oh cool free comics! But then after page 3 you realized they were fake. I'm serious. I've got another one where Daredevil helps me remember not to leave the stove on when I cook my snack after school.

    Thanks Stan Lee, through your characters we're forming a better America!

  42. Re: a few cents? by Migraineman · · Score: 1

    I got a rude awakening the other day. My daughter was looking at a rack of comic books. I immediately thought "Dead tree comics ... how quaint ..." Then I saw the price - $3.25. I was appalled. At that price point, I think they're doomed. I can purchase a full paperback novel for a buck more. And no, I'm not missing the point. I'm making a simple value comparison - of two products located on adjacent shelves in the same store.

  43. Re: a few cents? by starwed · · Score: 1

    I can purchase a full paperback novel for a buck more.

    Really? Most paperback's I've bought recently cost 6-7 dollars, depending on the size. And that's ignoring all the books I can only find in trade paperback versions now...

    You must tell me where you shop. ^_^

  44. Re:free as in trick-kids-into-reading-something fr by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I always though it was ironic^1 that Daredevil was blind, but had his story told in a 100% visual format.

    I guess it would be extra important for a blind person to remember to turn the stove off.

    1- That might be a Morrissettian use of ironic, but whatever.