Free Comic Book Day Press

Free Comic Book Day was this past weekend, with a number of garrisons turning out to their local comic book shops. Here's some of the press coverage:

Bonanza For Fantasy Fans
Sarge's Comics hosts its annual Free Comic Book Day
By M. MATTHEW CLARK Published on 5/4/2008
New London - Fans of fantasy came out in droves Saturday to Sarge's Comics for the 7th annual Free Comic Book Day, a sort of high holiday for the faithful readers of comics, science fiction and other subculture genres.
Bob Miller, owner of Sarge's Comics, hurried around his State Street store Saturday fielding questions while multitasking on everything from ordering 55 pizzas to hanging sale signs to wondering if his daughter - who was dressed up as comic book character“Sailor Mini Moon” - would still have pink hair during her First Communion ceremony today.
The bookstore, a 20-year-old landmark in downtown New London, was filled with hundreds of people young and old - many dressed in elaborate costumes of their favorite character - eagerly grabbing up free comic book swag.
One of the most popular attractions at Sarge's Saturday was the“Star Wars” characters. Members of the Connecticut Garrison of the 501st, a national group that dresses in the roles from the famous George Lucas science fiction epic.
Dot Stasny of Bethel wore the easily recognizable uniform of a stormtrooper, the white-and-black members of the Imperial Army from“Star Wars.” Stasny and her compatriot, Stephen Niesz, who was dressed as intergalactic bounty hunter Boba Fett, hammed it up on the corner of Eugene O'Neill Drive and State Street, waving to honking cars and pantomiming hitchhiking.
Gaggles of children swarmed Stasny and Niesz asking for autographs and photos.
Besides giving away comics, Miller hosts local artists and writers, as well as high-profile national artists.

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Earth-2 celebrates Free Comic Book Day with Tim Sale
Fri, May 2nd, 2008 at 1:02PM PST
It's the biggest FREE COMIC BOOK DAY event ever at Earth-2 Comics this year, with red-hot artist Tim Sale making a rare in-store appearance! Tim, best known for his recent work on the smash NBC series HEROES, as well as his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb, will be appearing from on Saturday, May 3 from noon until 1:30 p.m., signing copies of his books and doing sketches, with all proceeds going to THE HERO INITIATIVE, a benefit organization for retired comics professionals. The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. The Hero Initiative creates a financial safety net for yesterday's creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to meet one of comics' hottest talents, and do some good in the process!
Of course, it wouldn't be FREE COMIC BOOK DAY without -- you guessed it -- free comic books! We'll have special hours for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m. Also appearing starting at 10 a.m. will be animator Anthony Price, who'll be creating free superhero sketches on demand, so bring the kids! And keeping a watchful eye over us all will be the Imperial Stormtroopers of the 501st Legion, so don't forget your cameras!

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Comic books fans load up at free event in Rochester
ROCHESTER— No amount of rain could keep comic book lovers from attending National Free Comic Book day in Rochester Saturday.
With smiles on their faces and free comic books in their hands, fans were able to visit local businesses to collect more free comics and even get their picture taken with Jabba the Hut, Boba Fett and Storm Troopers from Star Wars.
Dugie Mott, 21, of Barrington, with a bag in his hands full of free swag, said he didn't mind the weather. "This is an awesome event with Storm Troopers and everything," he said. "It's worth it to be here. My friends are going to be mad they missed it."
Visitors could also take a quick walk to the Rochester Opera House to get their picture taken with Jabba the Hut and other members from Star Wars. The Opera House was also giving out free comic books and money from the pictures went to help support the Jimmy Fund.

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A TON of pictures have made it to flickr, and I'll be posting what I've found shortly.