“Because, at the end of the day, it's the community that patronizes the shop, buys comics, and supports Gulf Coast Cosmos. “I like to incorporate the community as much as possible with these events,” says Canady. There will even be water-balloon fights and face-painting. Byron Canady, who owns and runs the Third Ward-based Gulf Coast Cosmos Comicbook Co., will have free comics as well as giveaways and local comic-book creators coming down for a meet-and-greet.

Stores that take part in the day usually go all out. After a decade of financial low points for the comics industry (the spectator-market bust, Marvel declaring bankruptcy in 1997, etc.), these big-budget studio adaptations were beginning to make audiences flock to comic-book spots more often. (At that time, that was the first Spider-Man, with Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst). It seems like it was just yesterday when the first Free Comic Book Day went down in 2002, as California comics retailer Joe Field came up with the promotional event for retailers to take part in while the newest superhero movie was in theaters. 3, which comes out this weekend) and pick up some complimentary books made just for the occasion. Now in its 21st year, and scheduled this year for May 6, Free Comic Book Day is an opportunity for comics fans to hop over to their nearby comics shop (maybe after a screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. On the first weekend of May, two things are certain: A new Marvel Studios movie will hit theaters, and Free Comic Book Day will be happening at comics stores around North America.

Free Comic Book Day at Bedrock City Comic Co.

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