Events: Free Comic Book Day 2016

Before the Philippine votes for the next President of the country, a big scene for comic lovers will occur two days before it.

The annual Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is back to be celebrated by comic book lovers on this upcoming first Saturday of May.

As of the moment only 7 comic book stores and cafe will be participating for this year's FCBD that will be held on May 7, 2016.

1st is Precious Pages. They are on their 3rd year of participation in FCBD. Another change was implemented this year with regards on the manner on how the free comic books can be obtained. Stubs have been given away from various Precious Pages bookstores and even during the Summer Komikon 2016 at the table of Black Inks.

The stub has two (2) offers in which both can be used at the same time. First would be the free comic book that can be gotten while the second offer is the 10% discount on any Black Ink item purchased during FCBD 2016 at any Precious Pages Bookstore.

Stubs will be given away until FCBD 2016.

2nd is Fully Booked. Fully Booked will be working hand in hand with Comic Odyssey with the celebration of FCBD. FCBD sponsored comics will be given out for free as long as supplies last. 

Three (3) FCBD sponsored comics would be given out at the BGC branch.

The rest of the Metro Manila branches such as Alabang Town Center, SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 5, Glorietta, Power Plant Mall (Rockwell), Promenade (Greenhills), The Block (SM North EDSA), TriNoma, Regis Center (Katipunan), Eastwood Mall, SM Mega Fashion Hall, Century City Mall and Taft would be giving out one (1) FCBD sponsored comic to each individual.

Fully Booked branches in Cebu, CDO and Davao would not be giving away FCBD sponsored comics.

There will be 12 FCBD Gold and 38 FCBD Silver sponsored comic books to choose from.

All branches of Fully Booked will have 20% OFF in all of their D-coded items, which are mostly comics.

3rd is Comic Odyssey. Participating branches are The Fort, Alabang Town Center and Galleria. Three (3) FCBD sponsored comics would be given out at The Fort branch while one (1) FCBD sponsored comic would be given at the Alabang Town Center and Galleria branch.

Aside from the FCBD sponsored comic books, a FCBD Sale will be conducted. The following are the promos that will take place:

• 20-50% OFF all Trade Paperbacks / Hardcovers
• 20% OFF all Action Figures / Statues / Collectibles
• 20% OFF all Posters & T-shirts
• 20% OFF all Vintage & Premium Comics
• 50% OFF all Complete Comic Sets
• BUY 1 TAKE 1 on all Variants
• Php. 100 for all Back Issues on the bins (Php. 50 at the Galleria branch)

Guest creators will be attending FCBD 2016 at The Fort branch.

4th is Filbar's. From two branches last year, it will only be the SM Megamall branch who will participate. Two (2) FCBD sponsored comics would be given out without any purchase.

Aside from the FCBD sponsored comic books, the following treats would take place:

• FREE X-Men: Apocalypse poster to FIRST 100 CUSTOMERS. NO PURCHASE NEEDED.
• FREE Filbar's Sketchbook Ashcan per customer WITH SINGLE RECEIPT PURCHASE.
• 20% OFF on X-Men Trade Paperbacks / Hardcovers
• Trade Paperbacks
• X-Men Age of Apocalypse v.2 & v.3
• X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga
• X-Men Days of Future Past
• X-Men FF
• X-Men Legacy Collision
• X-Men Legacy Lost Legion
• X-Men Legacy Aftermath
• X-Men X Club
• X-Men / Steve Rogers: Escape from the Negative Zone
• X-Men War Machines
• X-Men Pixie Strikes Back
• X-Men Forever 2: Back in Action
• Php. 1,000 for 3 Select X-Men Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures

Filbar's Flash Pass is back to cater to those early birds.

An Artist Alley Line Up will also be set up:

• 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Dave Quindoy
• Bernce Acosta Llamo
• Lowe Christian G. Beltran
• 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Jether Amar
• John Becaro
• Chris Barcelona

5th in DK Collectibles. The store on Taguig city will also be joining this year's FCBD  celebration. Two (2) FCBD sponsored comics would be given out for free without any purchase. This will start at 2:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. or earlier if the supply runs out. Just be sure to fall in line early at the FCBD booth outside the store (possibly beside Iron Man).

Aside from the FCBD sponsored comic books, the following treats would take place:

• FREE ONE (1) MORE FCBD sponsored comic for EVERY Php. 100 WORTH OF STORE PURCHASE
• FREE 6" x 9" Chibi Suicide Squad Harley Quinn Print by Jomar Bulda to FIRST 100 CUSTOMERS. NO PURCHASE NEEDED.
• 20% OFF on Trade Paperbacks / Hardcovers / Graphic Novels
• 10% OFF on Toys and Similar Merchandise
• Php. 100 for Singles in the BACK ISSUE BINS that have a STANDARD PRICE
• 50% OFF for Singles priced at $ 4.99 and above or $ 0.99 and less
• Php. 50 for Singles in the BARGAIN BIN

6th is  Laruan Atbp. Cafe. This cafe on Quezon City will be giving out comic books for free. No further clarification on whether or not these free comics are the FCBD sponsored comics or not.

They will be having a 10% OFF on all Local Comic Books.

Live drawing sessions would be done by Lui Antonio, Raymund Bermudez, Harvey Tolibao and friends at HMT Studios.

Many more comic book artists are expected to come as well.

7th is Planet X Comics Shop. The store in Glorietta will be giving one (1) FCBD sponsored comic for free.

Aside from the FCBD sponsored comic books, a sale will also occur. The following are the promos that will take place:

• 25% OFF all New Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga & all Collectibles
• Php. 50 on Back-Issue Comics
• Php. 500 on Comic Books that are in the COMIC BINS ONLY

Be sure to be in line really early for these Free Comic Book Day goodies are always in demand.

More information about Free Comic Book Day can be seen at:

Facebook Page: "Free Comic Book Day Philippines"

*Last Update as of 5/7/2016. Filbar's, DK Collectibles, Laruan Atbp. Cafe and Planet X Comic Shop FCBD 2016 event details included.

Events: Free Comic Book Day 2015

We are nearing once again to that annual event participated by comic book lovers. It is none other than the annual Free Comic Book Day (FCBD).

Anthology: Free Comic Book Day: Ang Pilipino Komiks sa Kasalukuyan ~ Blg. 003

Edited by: Norby Ela and Jon Zamar

Comic Odyssey

(3.28/5 ★★★☆☆)

(Cover by Gerry Alanguilan)

The Good:

This 3rd Filipino FCBD (Free Comic Book Day) give away from Comic Odyssey contains 18 comic samplers.

The top contributions in this issue for me are News Hardcore: The Phantom of the Office (Die!), Puso Negro, Crime Fighting Call Center Agents, Indie Evolution and Kubori Kikiam.

The local comic scene and the image of FCBD here in the Philippines were interestingly portrayed in some of the contributions. In Spacemando, it shows the long lines to be expected on comic book stores participating in FCBD and the correct attitude of falling in line and patiently waiting for your turn.

The second comic is Kubori Kikiam. It deals with Sandy (of Comic Odyssey) texting local comic creator/s, in this case Michael David, of submitting an entry for an upcoming issue for FCBD. It was hilarious as it was debated on how to turn a rated R comic into something acceptable to be read by kids.

The third comic is Indie Evolution that tackles the history of comics here in the Philippines. Witty names for some of the current rockstars in our local comic scene where introduced along with their famous works. These are Tresei Budjettorum, Elmerus Alanguilanae, Ando Arresis and Zsazsa Tarusch.

The Bad:

In this compilation, the one that I really didn't like was Jacara Zar. It was a weird first contribution for this anthology. It doesn't seem like a teaser for its own comic and instead looks like a fill in illustration for one page.

The Verdict:

This FCBD: Ang Pilipino Komiks sa Kasalukuyan ~ Blg. 003 is a great anthology that features a wide range of comics from our local comic scene. Both the front and back cover of this comic are sure to get anyone's attention since it was made by two of the famous comic creators of our generation, Gerry Alanguilan and Manix Abrera.

The best contribution of this anthology for me is Indie Evolution by Macoy. He reconstructs the history of comics here in the Philippines in a unique way. Incorporating comics with dinosaurs and evolution, Macoy has shared to us the story of Komiks with a really imaginative incorporation of the story of evolution of life here on earth combined with simple and entertaining illustrations.

I would say the comic teasers, samplers, back stories and all the other unique contributions from our local comic creators were good. FCBD: Ang Pilipino Komiks sa Kasalukuyan holds the spirit and dream of our comic industry. It shows how much has changed throughout the years. A lot of improvements are evident and an overflow of creativity still persists. It keeps our local comics alive as it slowly gains strength to stand on its own.

 (Back Cover by Manix Abrera)

* Contributors of Free Comic Book Day: Ang Pilipino Komiks sa Kasalukuyan ~ Blg. 003: Ed Tadeo, Aaron Felizmenio, Jon Zamar, Judd Abinuman, Freely Abrigo, Manix Abrera, Joanah Tinio-Calingo, JP Palabon, Nelz Yumul, Rommel Estanislao, Dr. Carlo Jose San Juan, AJ Bernardo, Noel Pascual, Macoy, Mel Casipit, Eric Luna Salazar, Melvin Calingo, Wan Mañanita, Kai Castillo, Gerry Alanguilan, Michael David

** Breakdown of Rating:

★☆☆☆☆ - Jacara Zar, Codename: Bathala

★★☆☆☆ - Gwapoman 2000: Hari ng Basatrip; Cresci Prophecies: Book of Arcen; Spacemando; Pasig

★★★☆☆ - Kapitan Tog: Wow!; Callous; Mukat; Manila Accounts 1081: Camp John Heist

★★★★☆ - Bruho Barbero; Comics by Eric Luna Salazar; Wasted

★★★★★ - News Hardcore: The Phantom of the Office (Die!); Puso Negro; Crime Fighting Call Center Agents; Indie Evolution; Kubori Kikiam

Events: Experiencing FCBD 2014

Free Comic Book Day, or to make it short FCBD, is a unique experience for me. FCBD started in North America as a way to give back to comic lovers who continue to support comics. It aims to give back to comic book lovers and supporters by giving away free comics every first saturday of May. Last May 3, 2014 is the first FCBD experience that I had. Even though the first time I had known of this event was last year (2013), it was only this year that I had gotten a taste of what this event really feels like. Lines were crazily long outside comic book stores just to get hold of the goodies first before the best ones ran out. Well with comic book stores giving out freebies and conducting sales on their items, you really don't want to miss out on this opportunity.

I only had two destinations for FCBD 2014. They are the Precious Pages' bookstore in Starmall Las Piñas and Comic Odyssey in Alabang Town Center. I can actually make it to 3 stores since the Precious Pages' bookstore in Starmall Alabang is just within my vicinity. However, I only went to those two I mentioned since the weather was too hot to commute any further.

First stop would be the Precious Pages' book store where to my amazement I'm the first in line to get a free Black Ink Comic. So I still had a lot of choices and ended up picking Book 1 of Dark Side. This is one good move that Precious Pages had done in order to further promote Black Ink Comics. I might say that they are really keen on introducing themselves as one of the publishers of komiks in our local bookstores.

The last stop for my FCBD 2014 experience is Comic Odyssey. I was really honored to have been among those who were given the privilege to have the 2014 FCBD sponsored comics be reserved till 6 p.m. for me to be picked up. It was really a treat especially since it includes being able to have 3 comics reserved. Because the Alabang branch of Comic Odyssey entitles only 1 comic to be given away per customer. However, there were two customers who were allowed to get 3 comics since they were the first two guys standing in line at the doors of the Alabang branch of Fully Booked around 7 a.m.

It was around 11 a.m. when I got to Fully Booked and the number of people for the comics were outstanding. It reminds me of Indieket, not much of Komikon due to the number of people that were around. Well the comics left were still plenty but I'm guesing that is the half or a third of whats left during that time. But no one will argue that here in the Philippines that it is at the Fully Booked branch at the Fort who holds the biggest events and caters the largest crowd. It was a crazier one, since the first person in line for that branch was there at 2:36 p.m. one day before the doors will open for the FCBD event. Crazy right? Imagine falling in line for 18 hours before they let you in to get the goodies. Well the things you do for your hobby or passion.

FCBD was really worth experiencing. I could say it is not only a way to give back to comic lovers. But I think more of it as a great marketing strategy to increase the number of readership for comics. No one would back down from a freebie right? Especially if you happen to be lucky and pass by a store that gives away more than 2 free comics and you still are left with titles that interest you.

Here are the things that I got from Free Comic Book Day 2014:

• Dark Side ~ Book 1: 2:00 AM
• Ron Mendoza and Erwin J. Arroza
• Black Ink Comics
• The Ace of Spades
• Chuck Dixon, Jeff McComsey and Steve Becker
• Fubar Press
• Zero Dead Thirty (inside The Ace of Spades)
• Chad Lambert and Jeff McComsey
• Fubar Press
• All You Need Is Kill
• Nick Mamatas and Lee Ferguson
• Haika Soru
• Terra Formars (half comic of All You Need Is Kill)
• Yu Sasuga and Ken-ichi Tachibana
• Haika Soru
• Duel Identity (half comic of Pandora's Blogs)
• Elaine Lee and Francis Nuguit
• Red Giant Entertainment
• Pandora's Blogs
• David Campiti, David Lawrence, Jinky Coronado and Larry Tuazon
• Red Giant Entertainment
• Tesla (half comic of Way Ward Sons)
• Terry Keefe, David Lawrence and Bong Dazo
• Red Giant Entertainment
• Way Ward Sons
• Benn R. Powell
• Red Giant Entertainment

Events: Free Comic Book Day 2014

Aside from the numerous warehouse sale that happens this week, I guess this is another important event for a comic lover like me which is the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) that occurs yearly.

This is an event that is participated by a lot of comic book stores in many countries wherein comic books are given for free. Well not all are free, the FCBD sponsored ones are among those that are free. Conducted along with this is the sale among the different graphic novels, posters, and other merchandises.