Free Comic Book Day Celebrates Star Wars, Avengers in Columbia

Fans of comic books and science fiction have two reasons to celebrate on Saturday, May 4, at Comics to Astonish, a specialty store in east Columbia where more than 50 titles prepared especially for Free Comic Book Day will be distributed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

First, the date is special to fans of the Star Wars franchise since they use some word play when they state: “May the Fourth (Force) Be With You.”

One of the comics being given out that day is entitled Star Wars Adventures, and this new issue features Han Solo and Chewbacca racing against pirates in a search for the location of a legendary treasure.

In addition, fans of the wildly successful Avengers: Endgame movie can obtain a special comic featuring tales of several Marvel superheroes, as well as a look at the new Savage Avengers title.

Keegan Conrad, owner of the shop at 9400 Snowden River Parkway #112, said that the combination of Star Wars and the Avengers film, as well as many other comics and related items, make this a great day “for long-time fans” and “new readers young and old.”

Conrad added: “When you open the pages of a comic book, you can find the adventure of a lifetime!” Also, the event can help new readers “dive into your very first adventure in a risk-free—and free of charge—way” because most FCBD books are “geared towards a broad audience.”

As part of the event, which is held each year on the first Saturday of May, customers can get “sneak peeks” from titles based on such new and classic movies and television series as Spider-Man, Doctor Who, Stranger Things, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spawn and Riverdale.

Several other classic series will be represented, such as Casper (the Friendly Ghost), Pokemon, Little Lulu, Robotech and The Tick. In addition, a new comic from the Dynamite line will mark the 50th anniversary of the Vampirella character.

Meanwhile, the day will also feature a number of new series ranging from Midnight Sky and other titles from Scout Comics to Ignition, an introduction to a number of characters and titles from the new Humanoids imprint.

Younger readers will find several comics to their liking, such as DC’s Dear Justice League title, a special comic based on the Incredibles 2 animated film and a one-shot of Wolfie Monster and the Big, Bad Pizza Battle.

And for those with a more traditional perspective on superheroes, Graphic Pop provides Striker Force 7 and AHOY Comics presents a new issue from its Wrong Earth series featuring Dragonfly and Dragonfly Man.

Another free comic will feature new versions of Bloodshot, a one-man army, as well as a preview of the upcoming title in the 41st Century’s Fallen World, both from Valiant Comics.

In addition, FCBD will also host titles from other countries, such as Captain Canuck from Canada and Funny Pages, a one-shot treasury of British comics.

Since the store has quickly run out of copies of free titles in the past, Conrad said the shop will limit the number of copies to four per person until 5:00 p.m., when anyone can take as many of the issues as he or she wants.

Another special feature of this year’s Free Comic Book Day is the fact that this it will also be celebrated at the other Comics to Astonish store, which is located at 1312 South Main Street Suite in nearby Mount Airy.

For more information on the stores, their big sales and their online offers being held in conjunction with Free Comic Book Day, call (410) 381-2732 in Columbia or (301) 829-1017 in Mount Airy, or visit http://www.comicstoastonish.com. If you want further details on the annual event itself, go to http://www.freecomicbookday.com.