Last Saturday was one of the Valley’s hottest days so far this year, and not just because of the temperature. It was also the annual Free Comic Book Day event, when comic shops and other like-minded businesses from across the Phoenix metropolitan area celebrated the sequential art format by giving away free samples, offering fantastic bargains, and hosting artists and other comic book professionals in their stores.
This year’s FCBD is one of the busiest we’ve seen, with lines of fans stretching far and away from many shop entrances, long before their doors even opened for the day; a true testament to the draw that comics have become in mainstream pop culture.
Downtown Mesa’s cool new record shop, Asylum Records, was in on the FCBD fun, with a huge selection of the day’s free comic swag. They were also part of downtown’s 20 shop scavenger hunt. This sweet little store is located in the former Royale Theater location and they have a nice collection of nerdy collectibles for sale, in addition to all the awesome records and music memorabilia.
Another shop that really did things right in downtown Mesa was the Book Gallery, managed by Mike Pierson (and right next door to Gotham Comics & Coffee). In addition to the FCBD books, they pulled out a slew of classic Golden and Silver Age comics and comic related books, like the autobiography of Batman creator, Bob Kane. (Good luck finding that one anywhere else.)
All About Books & Comics owners, Marsha and Alan Giroux, were manning the main register and reminiscing with FCBD customers about the history at their long time Phoenix location. The couple will be moving to a new shop this coming July, read all about it HERE.
Of course, no Free Comic Book Day is complete without some amazing cosplay action, and All About Books & Comics had some of the best costumes we saw this day, including this Aquaman family.
Enjoy the rest of our photo gallery below. Click on an image to see the large version:
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