Events: Free Comic Book Day 2017

Free Comic Book Day has become an annual tradition and there's always something new every year. For 2017 it meant introducing the #LittleJedi to this tradition. So with my 6 month belly bump Paul and I went to Fully Booked in BGC, it was a little later than our usual time since we had some baby errands to do first but thanks to the baby bump, no need to get in line. :) 

The folks from Fully Booked were kind enough to accommodate this waddling pregnant lady. After getting our #FCBD haul, we made our way to the Artist Alley at Top Shelf and it was nice to see artist friends in their booths, getting to feature local talent at events like these is a plus to me! 

Featured FCBD artist and fellow music geek (we headbang with each other at gigs) Pejie Abia

Because we came in later in the day, we were able to see more cosplayers than usual and Paul had fun taking their photos! We dropped by Comic Odyssey to pick up a gift for Paul's goddaughter, who seems to be taking after us when it comes to hobbies and interests and coincidentally also celebrates her birthday at the first week of May. :) 

One Halloween Comic Fest we brought our nephew and nieces, we opted to go on FCBD2017 on our own, as I mentioned we had a baby errand earlier in the day. Maybe at the next event and if the #LittleJedi is big enough, we might bring him along as well. This annual tradition is becoming a family event (I also sometimes spend it with my siblings) and well, I wouldn't have it any other way! 

#FCBD2017 

A couple of Spider-Man (Spider-Men ?) rummaging through back issues at Comic Odyssey. 

Click HERE for MORE PHOTOS! 

  

Halloween Free Comic Book Day with the Kids!

SUPER late post! Sorry but we've been super busy with shoots and events but anyways better late than never right? 

This year's Halloween Comic Book Fest was extra special for Paul and I since this time we had our nephew and nieces tag along with us. Of course the place to be was at Fully Booked in BGC. 

9 year old - Jillian, Paul's goddaughter has been showing interest in reading, so we started giving her extra copies of our hauls from the past Free Comic Book Days - the ones for kids of course. 

Once Jillian had a comic book in her hands, you couldn't disturb her anymore! She could even read while the car was moving, which of course is something that we told her not to do.

A few months ago, Jillian's younger sister asked me for comic books and when I said that she could get them for Christmas, she asked to receive them earlier. So I thought why not bring the whole gand (consisting of  3 nieces and 1 nephew) to Halloween Comic Book Fest? 

It was perfect! There were less people during Halloween Comic Book Fest si we wouldn't have a hard time looking after the kids. 

I remember during the previous Free Comic Book Fests that we've attended I would always admire the parents who would bring their children along to pass on the love of comic books but this time we had our own bunch of 'next generation" comic book lovers. 

I would think that they were pretty much overwhelmed when they got to the table to choose their three free comic books. I had to urge for them to choose, I guess after the initial shock subsided they made their picks and were also equally happy to get freebies like balloons, snacks and candy - of course it's not Halloween with out these treats right? 

The kids were able to see some cosplayers - they weren't that many though since we arrived early, maybe next year we';; come later so the kids could see more cosplayers. Hopefullly next year the kids won't be shy about taking photos with the cosplayers. :) 

On the way home, Jillian couldn't keep her eyes off the free comic books she got. Aside from that we all sang out loud to songs the kids loved that were in my iTunes such as "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark" from Fall Out Boy (the kids know it because of Pitch Perfect 2. 

All in all it was a great way for us to bond with our pamangkins. I know that they enjoyed it just as much as we did!   

Free Comic Book Day 2014

Sorry for the late post - work has been in the way :P 

I don't belong to this generation of hand held device-dependent kids who download and upload everything; from the movies that they watch, the music that they listen to, to the books that they read. I can't say that I don't do these as well since I do but I would  still say that I'm a bit old fashioned since I prefer books over e-books and such. I grew up leafing through pages of whatever reading material I could get my hands on and reading from the light a flashlight (when it's already past bedtime) or the light of a candle (when it was black out-there were a lot of those in the 90s). Whether the kids of today could find the image of a holding a book and reading by the light of a candle impossible next to horrifying I'm glad (and relived) to see that steps and feats are being done to preserve the love of reading from a book or a comic book.

Last year we braved the heat and the lines for Free Comic Day (see the blog post here) It is an annually celebrated event (all over the world!). When you look it up on Wikipedia, Free Comic Book Day or FCBD is a promotional event to get new readers into independent Comic Book Stores. It's also a good way to get readers interested in reading good old fashioned comics. 

Free Comic Book Day has also made a dent in the local scene since it is also a great way to celebrate the local artists that we have. FCBD is held in different branches of Fully Booked and this year - Filbar's had a go at it as well. Stores invited local artists who got to share their work as well as meet fans and make new ones as well. For the past two years we've been going to Fully Booked at The Fort to celebrate Free Comic Book Day :) 

Halloween Comic Fest

My Baby Sister Isay in her Iron Man Shawarma shirt from The Perfect White Shirt - (which is my birthday gift to her by the way) with Batgirl. 

Hey guys! My baby sister Isay will be guest blogging with us. She's the real comic geek in the family and she went to Fully Book's Halloween Comic Fest. Paul and I had a Baptism/First Birthday to go to. So without further adieu - here is Isay's first and hopefully not last post with us. :) 

(As I was writing this, I'm listening to my nerdcore songs: X-Women, 616, Magneto was Right, Comic Shop, Nerrd Lines, Marvel vs. DC, and a whole lot more. J )

It was definitely a fun treat to drop by at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street Branch for Halloween Comicfest. Being one of the many individuals who braved the heat last Free Comic Book Day, I was expecting a very long line of comic book enthusiasts going around High Street. But when we came to the store (at exactly 10 am), the line was surprisingly shorter, and went around the front of the store, not like the line last May 4^th.

We saw friends, families, and individuals of different ages waiting in line for their chance to get free comic books. There were also grown-ups in costume, like Kick-Ass and a casual Robin. There were little kids with their parents in superhero costumes who looked so adorable, and grandmas standing in line with their grandchildren. The weather was cool, making the wait comfortable, unlike the glaring sun that melted us away last Free Comic Book Day.

Free Comic Books during Halloween ComicFest 

While in line, it was nice to be able to talk about comics with people who actually understand what you’re talking about. Falling into easy conversation, we didn’t even notice the line and before we knew it, we were already inside the store. We were led to the table with the vast array of comics that we could choose from. On one table were the comics from American publishers, such as DC and Marvel, with a wide variety of comics for children too. On the second table were the manga issues, like back issues of Shonen Jump.

Colored spread from Shonen Jump. 

Each person could choose 3 comics from either table. Unlike their protocol last Free Comic Book Day, we were given the comics without a choice to the issues that we wanted. So I sort of panicked in front of the table, not knowing what to choose. In the end, I went for Batman: Long Halloween, Batman : Lil’ Gotham and an issue of Shonen Jump. Fortunately, my friend was nice enough to lend me his copy of Marvel’s offering, the first issue of Thor: God of Thunder. (which I was really thankful for because it was colored by my idol, Dean White <3)

Aside from the table with the free comics, there were also tables around them with graphic novels of up to 50% off. From DC to Marvel, to Image and Vertigo, whether thick or thin, it was a beautiful collection of books at half the price. But our search for a nice deal had to be set aside for later, because we decided to go up to the fourth floor and visit Comic Odyssey for the latest releases. There was also a book signing of local artists and writers right outside the store. Fans were all lined up for the chance to get to meet and greet their favorite comic book creators.

Two shades of the Caped Crusader. Above a page from Lil' Gotham that features Chibi Batman and Robin and Below the good old Batman in a centerfold action scene with Catwoman. 

Free Comic Book Day 2013

Box office Hit: People lining up for Free Comic Book Day

What's with the long line?!?! Is it a Starlet? Is there a shooting? No! It's Free Comic Book Day!  

It was a LONG, LONG line indeed that snaked all the way back the Fully Booked branch at Bonifacio High Street, making its way even up to the Honda Service Center and Clawdaddy's. Umbrellas, water bottles and warm sodas were a common sight to fight off the summer heat. Early photos that made it's way to Social Media showed eager Comic Book fans in line as early as 5:00 AM! 

You might be wondering, What the heck is Free Comic Book Day and why are all these people lining up in the heat and are literally risking dehydration and suffering from heat stroke?! 

Fully Booked 's Free Comic Book Day 2013 promotional Poster 

Free Comic Book Day (which shall henceforth be known as FCBD, for easy typing purposes) is an annual celebration that is observed internationally. It is a promotional effort every first Saturday of May, spear headed by the North American Comic Book Industry to help encourage readers to comic book stores. The event is the brain child of Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics, the first Free Comic Book Day was celebrated in 2002. 

Local Book Store giant, Fully Booked in partnership with Comic Odyssey celebrates Comic Books by giving away a comic book - per person absolutely for free! (No Need to buy anything!) but wait there's more! They also have a 20% discount on graphic novels but 50% off on amazing books. 

The Fully Booked branch in Bonifacio High Street is the only branch giving away 3 comics - other branches  only give 1 and I think that was a major reason why it was so jam packed! 

There are actually special editions of comics which are printed specifically for FCBD. The Fully Booked branch at the Fort gave out two of these special editions and a random third.