May the Fourth be with you at these participating Free Comic Book Day stores.
May 4th has long been recognized by Star Wars fans as “May the Fourth Be With You” Day. However, this year, May 4th lands on the first Saturday of the month, making it National Free Comic Book Day and a two-fer for fandoms everywhere.
Nerds, geeks, and comic lovers rejoice because Free Comic Book Day is the one day a year where the industry comes together to give away free comic books. Some of the biggest names in comic book history, including Marvel, Dark Horse, IDW Publishing, BOOM! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, and Image Comics will unleash free comics at over 2,300 local comic book shops around the nation.
The Rules
Free Comic Book Day was created so that longtime fans can grab a comic book they love, and new fans can learn all about what’s out there. Therefore, comic retailers choose 51 titles (12 Gold Sponsor comics and 39 Silver Sponsor comics) that will be offered for free at participating locations. This year’s titles include Doctor Who, The Avengers, Stranger Things, Deadly Class, Riverdale, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Tick, and Star Wars.
You can grab one of these free titles by visiting a local participating store. Each store will offer one free title per person on a first-come, first-serve basis. Therefore, you’ll want to wake up at the crack of dawn and speed to a participating location nearest you – even if you have to mess with the timeline to make it on time.
DMV Participating Stores
Many DMV area comic book stores are joining in the celebrations, so be sure to BAM, ZAP, and KAPOW your way to one of these participating locations.
Washington, DC
Fantom Comics – 2010 P Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20036
Big Planet Comics of Washington, D.C. – 1520 U Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009
Northern Virginia
Aftertime Comics – 1304 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
The Amazing Comic Book Shop Inc. – 10647 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032
Games and Comics Pair O’Dice – 10385 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030
Big Planet Comics of Vienna – 426 Maple Ave East, Vienna, VA 22180
Victory Comics Group, Inc – 586 S. Washington Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
Hole in the Wall Books – 905 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046
Tosche Station – 7521 Huntsman Boulevard, Springfield, VA 22153
Comic Logic – 44031 Ashburn Shopping Plaza #281, Ashburn, VA 20147
Painted Visions Comics – 3065 Golansky Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA 22192
Flashback Comics – 3112 PS Business Center Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192
Treasure Chest Comics – 3255 Jefferson Davie Highway #101, Stafford, VA 22554
Maryland
Alliance Comics – 8317 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Big Planet Comics Bethesda – 4849 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Big Planet Comics College Park – 7315 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
DMV Stores Going Above the Call of Duty
Superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty every da,y and on May 4th, we’ll see some local comic book stores also going to extraordinary lengths. These stores aren’t just giving away free comic books, but are also celebrating Free Comic Book Day with cosplay, costume contests, gaming events, and guest appearances. Make your very own superhero landing at one of these locations to join the festivities.
Tosche Station | 7521 Huntsman Boulevard, Springfield, VA 22153
Tosche Station in Springfield is making an entire day out of National Free Comic Book Day. The store will host superhero food, door prizes, contests, and a gaming event. If you head to the store between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., you can also meet Matt Herms, a colorist and illustrator for Power Rangers, Megaman, Sonic, and Jughead the Hunger.
Big Planet Comics in College Park | 7315 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Big Planet Comics in College Park, Maryland, is offering special sales all day and 10 free comics per person. The first 100 people in line on May 4th will also receive a free special gift. Although we don’t know what the special gift is, we’re willing to bet that comic fans won’t be disappointed. So, be sure to head to Big Planet Comics before the comics fly off the shelf.
Throughout Free Comic Book Day, cosplay is greatly encouraged. Dress up as your favorite character before you head out to the stores. Let us know if you’ll be joining in the festivities and who you plan on dressing up as!
