7 May 2011 - Free Comic Book Day 2011 Pt. 1

While Singapore was caught up in election fever with polling day taking place on 7 May 2011, fanboys and fangirls alike were caught up in festivities of a different kind. As with the first Saturday of May for the past ten years or so, it was also Free Comic Book Day.

This year marks the biggest FCBD celebrations ever experienced in Singapore - with three participating outlets - Kinokuniya, G&B Comics as well as Harris' Planerds which also had its official opening this day.

The first thing I did after exercising my citizenry duties was to head down to Kinokuniya where they were giving away FCBD comics for the first time. Members were entitled to a grab bag containing two titles as well as a Green Lantern HeroClix figure. At the same time, they were having a 20% off sale for comics and graphic novels.


Free comics giveaway at the Crossroads


The local chapter of the 501st Legion would make their appearance at the store later in the evening. Unfortunately, I had to give this a miss.


Stash of Green Lantern HeroClix figures

Next stop was G&B Comics at Rochor Centre (in their second official participation at FCBD). A long line had already formed by the time I arrived at 5 minutes before the store opening. Not only were there free comics for grabs, helpers were dressed in superhero costumes and the guest appearance by Gary Erskine (The Filth, Dan Dare) tops off the festivities.










After picking up the freebie comics and getting some of my comics signed by Gary Erskine, it was time to head back to Orchard Road where Popular Bookstore opened its Planerds store officially. Unlike previous incarnations, this outlet caters to all tastes geeky and fanboyish. Certainly this makes a great addition to the local comic specialty market. Time will tell if it can compete with other retailers for the fanboy dollar. Nonetheless, it makes a great image change from selling assessment books and scaring kids away from ever picking up a book. Just to make it extra special, local comics creators were on hand for autographs and sketches.






Dave Chua and Koh Hong Teng of Gone Case Vol.1 fame


Shawn Yap signs my copy of Jack Doe. We first met in the David Lloyd line at STGCC 2010.


JC Wong signing my copy of Will You Be Back? which is my only Chinese graphic novel. I had won it last year at STGCC 2010 in a lucky draw.

My next post shall feature the goodies I managed to obtain this great day... already looking forward to next year's FCBD.