Marvel’s not waiting around for a new Free Comic Book Day 2020 to be announced! They’re releasing their books on July 15, as reported here at MajorSpoilers!
MARVEL’S OWN FCBD?
I guess it’s a sign that things are starting to return to normal, at least when it comes to the comic book industry.
Marvel recently announced that they will be releasing their Free Comic Book Day 2020 wares on Wednesday, July 15, through local shops.
The two books will be an X-Men #1 and a Spider-Man/Venom #1, both part of the original FCBD line-up from the House of Ideas.
Both books connect to upcoming events/storylines, so I can understand Marvel wanting to get them out into the marketplace so their related comics can come out as well!
The X-Men book contains material from Jonathan Hickman and Tom Taylor, both big names in comics today. The Spidey book is no slouch, either, with Donny Cates as one of the writers and Patrick Gleason, formerly of DC fame, providing art.
WILL OTHER COMPANIES JOIN THEM?
As I look over the schedule of upcoming release weeks, mid-July isn’t a bad week to make FCBD books available.
It’s in the middle of the summer, often a big time for comics buyers, especially those out of school for the season. It’s also around the time when Marvel is going to be hitting their stride when it comes to releasing new product, if the schedule stays in place.
The big question now is, will other comics producers jump on board? Or is it better for them to let Marvel have their week so they can get more attention at a later date?
Personally, I vote for the former. Let’s get FCBD under our belts! It’s a big, big day in the calendar for the industry, and we could likely use something happening sooner rather than later.
Of course, this all will depend on whether stores stay open (or actually open up if they haven’t already). Only time and local governments can tell that!
But what if they don’t join Marvel that week? To many fans, if Marvel’s books have come out, the rest won’t amount to much. “Been there, done that” will be the attitude of many, particularly those who are “Marvel and Marvel only” fans.
On the other hand, many stores limit the number of books one can select on FCBD to make sure everyone gets at least some free books. If the House of Ideas stuff is not on the table, that leaves more open slots for other companies to fill. That is, of course, unless Marvel decides to throw some other comics into the mix on whatever week that new FCBD takes place. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did that, honestly!
SALVAGING SOME OF 2020?
It has been nice to get to my local comics shop again, and I’ve even gone to another one or two in the area I might not have discovered if things hadn’t happened the way they have. And I am glad I’m back into my weekly habit of reading new comics! Yeah, I’ve missed that!
I’ve been watching some creators on various levels in the industry, and a lot of them are writing this year off thanks to the pandemic.
There are some conventions that are now planning to take place, and that includes the Tampa Bay Comic Convention, now scheduled to happen July 10-12. I know some creators who are literally champing at the bit to be there! They are planning to incorporate social distancing into their booths and interactions, including standing 6 feet back from the table and using card machines ONLY for transactions (no cash allowed). Some of us, you know, are used to making con appearances, and they’ve been stuck inside long enough, several of them say. It’s time to get out and make some money!
Honestly, if we could get something like a FCBD under our belts, it just might help restore some sense of “normalcy” to fans and creators alike. We have to be careful, of course, but a lot of people are anxious to do more than binge-watch cable TV shows. Personally, I’ve watched Ozark, Upload, Snowpiercer, Bosch, and many other programs. I’m actually wearing out when it comes to sitting in front of the tube, slack-jawed and focused on the small screen! My collection of masks has grown, including white ones, black ones, flag-waving ones, and many more!
On the other hand, not many of us want to find ourselves among the “Reading Dead,” as it were. Comics are great, but are they to die for?
Still, some of us want to do something different, and that includes the more creative among us! So, we’ll see!
What do you think? Are we ready to go back to our LCS’s and conventions? Should we hold off on that? Are you anxious to get those FCBD Marvel books? Do you think other companies should join in on that week? Whatever your opinions, please share your thoughts in the space below!
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Wayne Hall creates the Wayne's Comics Podcast. He’s interviewed Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, John Layman, Kyle Higgins, Phil Hester, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, David Petersen, Christos Gage, Mike Grell, and Matt Kindt. On this site each week, he writes his "Comics Portal" column (general comics comments and previews) and reviews comics.