Comic book characters have become ingrained in our culture. The top-grossing movies are regularly comic book movies, in fact, just this past weekend Infinity War set the record for the largest domestic opening weekend for a film. Comic book characters adorn shirts, socks, and are even tattooed on our skin. Since Action Comics #1 was published in 1938 comic books and their fanbase have continued to grow into the behemoths they are. While in past decades comic books have been perceived as a small hobby for a select few in the population the recent surge has thrust them into the mainstream.
Every year on the first Saturday in May publishers and local shops put on Free Comic Book Day where you can grab select comics for free. Local shops put on promotions and special events like special sales and costume contests. This event is for people of all ages. 
The selection of free comics is available on the website and covers every genre and style. In addition to free comics, you can get yourself some free swag and many stores hire local cosplayers to take pictures with and create a festive environment. The free comics are usually entirely new properties or popular series that are starting a new storyline.
When you’re snagging your free comics feel free to join in the festivities and look around and make some purchases. This day is perfect for introducing yourself to your local comic book shop and reading up on the literature that is the basis for all of the DC and Marvel movies. Don’t limit yourself to just the movie storylines, while those are a great place to begin there are plenty of fantastic characters who are not in the blockbuster movies from both DC and Marvel. There are also different publishers like Dark Horse, Image, and First Second Publishing that have great quality. If you don’t want superheroes and are more interested in history, realism, or fantasy those are also available too. Help support local business and start or extend your collection this Saturday at one of these great locations:
PROVIDENCE PLACE MALL 74 PROVIDENCE PLACE PROVIDENCE, RI, 02903 (401) 383-0044
1500 BALD HILL RD WARWICK, RI, 02886 (401) 821-3170
1732 FALL RIVER AVE SEEKONK, MA, 02771 (508) 336-4790
537 PONTIAC AVENUE CRANSTON, RI, 02910 (401) 781-5017
15 NORTH MAIN STREET A 4 BELLINGHAM, MA, 02019 (508) 966-2210
WARWICK MALL 400 BALD HILL ROAD WARWICK, RI, 02886 (401) 921-5466
For a complete list of the Free Comics that will be available and to check which stores are participating in Free Comic Book Day near you check out FreeComicBookDay.com Please like and follow our Facebook page to continue to get updates about the happenings in Rhode Island.
