Free Comic Book Day Invades the Valley this Saturday

Comic book enthusiasts take over local comic book shops in this year's worldwide event.

Phoenix – This Saturday May 5, 2012 is Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book Day is a one-day event that occurs on the first Saturday in May each year where participating comic book shops both nationally and worldwide (willingly) give out FREE comic books. The event started in 2002 and this Saturday will be the 11^th straight year that it will be held.

The Phoenix metro area is excited to have several local comic book shops participating in this great and fun event. And because we are Phoenix Comicon and our annual event is right around the corner, there are 10 local shops that will be giving away 2012 Phoenix Comicon booklets and even better, will be holding a drawing for a pair of full-event memberships! The 10 shops, their special guests, great individual events and hours are:

Pop Culture Paradise

707 S. Forest Ave. Suite A, Tempe

Noon to 3pm

Special guests include:

Author Craig W. Chenery (Blood Splatter: A Guide to Cinematic Zombie Violence, Gore and Special Effects)

Graphic artist Anabel Martinez

Alfred Trujillo (Cover artist for Zenescope, Big Dog Ink; Creator of Project: Shadows)

Tribe Comics

Michael Kessler and Terence Brown II from Bleating Goat Comics

Cara Nicole (AZ Powergirl)

Cooper Bolton (Artist and Creator of independent comic books)

All About Books and Comics

5060 North Central Avenue, Phoenix

10am to 6pm

Events throughout the day include:

Thousands of Free Comics

Free Refreshments

Autograph signing by DC Batman Beyond Writer Adam Beechen and DC Writer/Artist Dustin Nguyen from 11:30am  to 1:30pm and 2:30am  to 4:30pm

Free Superhero Face Painting 1 pm to 4 pm

Free Balloon Twisting 1pm to 4 pm

Discounts with donations to Hospice of the Valley

Jesse James Comics

10620 North 43rd Ave, Phoenix

12:01am to Sunday night at midnight

Guests: Brian Pulido 1.30pm to 3.30pm and Raven Gregory 11am to 5pm

10 free comics

Samurai Comics

1051 East Camelback Road, Phoenix

10am to 8pm

Samurai Comics

1120 S. Country Club Drive #107, Mesa

10am to 8pm

Samurai Comics

10720 W. Indian School Rd. #61, Phoenix

10am to 7pm

Ash Avenue Comics

810 S. Ash Avenue, Tempe

10am to 8pm

Gotham City Comics

46 West Main Street, Mesa

10:30am to 11:00pm

Special day events include:

Free Giveaways

Local Talent

Music, Games, Coffee & more!

Hot Ace Comics

10839 East Apache Trail, Apache Junction

9am to 7pm

Fantasy Comics

2595 North 1st Avenue, Tucson

Open at 10am

1 free copy per person

Phoenix Comicon Director of Advertising, Jillian Squires sums up Free Comic Book Day best when she says, “I am super excited for this Saturday!” She continues with, “There are a lot of great (comic book) shops participating this year and it's going to be a great day for all comic book enthusiasts across the Valley.”

So, come on out this Saturday and get yourself, as well as your family and friends a new comic book or two while having a fun time and supporting some great local businesses. See you there. For more information, check out the event's website, http://www.freecomicbookday.com/Home/1/1/27/992.