This popped up on our blog, an' I'm curious as to your professional funny-book-seller opinion...

DOES Free Comic Book Day get new customers in the door?
MarkAndrew | 05.06.07 - 2:26 am | #

I was a new customer at most of the stores I went to today. I didn't drop cash at every store, but some spending did occur. ($15 for a "short box" full of as many slightly smoke-damaged books as I could squeeze in? Score!)

I'm bummed, though, because I just looked at the post below this one and realized that although I remember seeing an Owly: Helping Hands at some shop or other, I somehow do not have one in my bag... crap.
Phill | Email | Homepage | 05.06.07 - 2:47 am | #

I went to two shops, and no Unseen Peanuts. Mood: sad.
Knox | Homepage | 05.06.07 - 7:51 am | #

I hit two comic stores yesterday, and both had limits on the number of comics you could take (3 and 5) and for some reason, neither had Owly or the Peanuts one. Crap Cakes. I miss Ralph's!
Batfatty | 05.06.07 - 7:53 am | #

went to three shops, finally found a peanuts, as i was waiting my turn, the guy ahead of me asks to take the last three for his brother and kids, shop guy says sure, we have more in the back...ok, my turn, no more peanuts...very sad...karma better pay back in spades!
keithkoko | Email | 05.06.07 - 9:40 am | #

Next year you need to have Aaron on the corner in a Wolverine costume, holding up a big arrow-shaped sign that says "Free Comic Books." That'll bring in customers.
Dorian | Email | Homepage | 05.06.07 - 11:00 am | #

Mike, You stated that you made more on FCBD than you spent, but my question is did you make more than you spent plus what you normally make on a Saturday in May?

It sounds like you guys had a very organized and generous plan for FCBD. Thanks for being a good retailer. And sorry for all the work it causes on the back end. Most comic shops are a wreck the next day.
del gorky | Email | 05.06.07 - 3:47 pm | #

dorian: yes... yes... indeed! that way i can duel with the mattress store mascot guy-dressed-as-lamb just down the street from our store. ive been itching for a good fight!

mike: yeah i was pretty surprised by the amount of people who came in to! well.. maybe just the number of people who dressed up as spidey!
employee aaron | Email | 05.06.07 - 4:15 pm | #

All two of them?
Jeff | 05.06.07 - 6:02 pm | #

I haven't made it all the way through my stack of freebies yet but already there's been titles I'd check out next visit. Lone Ranger, Nexus, and Gumby come to mind. I couldn't say that last year, except for maybe some manga.

Best of all, I discovered a shop that didn't smell like sweat, shame and melted plastic, so I no longer have to be a slave to trades.

And that's what Free Comic Book Day is all about, Charlie Brown.
Maggie Z | Email | 05.07.07 - 4:25 pm | #