Thursday, July 2, 2020

Thursday Morning Superhero: Free Comic Book Summer



The current pandemic has moved San Diego Comic Con and other conventions online, but there is no stopping Free Comic Book Day! Traditionally held the first Saturday in May, Free Comic Book Day was delayed as COVID-19 prevented many stores from opening their doors.  In response Free Comic Book Day has expanded into Free Comic Book Summer to bring tidings of joy in a difficult time.

The books that are typically available at the same time will be shipped six issues per week along with your store's weekly shipment of comics.  There are 45 titles that we get to enjoy this year from publishers including Image Comics, Boom! Studios, IDW Publishing, and more.  To mix things up a bit I will highlight one book from each week of this event.

Shipping July 15:

FCBD 2020 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - My Little Pony came across my radar when I attended my first SDCC over 10 years ago.  I was fascinated by its passionate fan base and after giving the series a try with my kids and some of its spin-offs it is truly delightful and has a positive message that I appreciate. This book picks up where the television series ended and I am always on board for a new chapter of Ponies.

Shipping July 22:

FCBD 2020 Dark Ark: Instinct - It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who enjoys my post that I am excited about any book from Cullen Bunn.  I enjoyed this series when it ran last year and am looking forward to a new title.  This book is about the other ark (not Noah's) that was filled with demons, monsters, and other spooks.  While this is not a book I would recommend to readers of all ages, I recommend this to everyone else.

Shipping July 29:


FCBD 2020 Stranger Things and Minecraft - While I am not too excited about Minecraft (my kids probably are), I am stoked to have some new Stranger Things stories to read as I wait for Season 4.  I have enjoyed the previous Stranger Things comic books and I am on board for any story involving the Scoops Ahoy crew.  This one is rated for all-ages and should be a fun family read.

Shipping August 5:


FCBD 2020 Lumberjanes Farewell to Summer - This is a series I have really enjoyed and need to read more of.  This is an all new story and will be an appropriate read as the summer winds down and I start preparing my kids for another school year.  This is another amazing all-ages book that is great to read as a family.

Shipping August 12:



FCBD 2020 Blade Runner - I don't really know much about this book, but am intrigued as Michael Green, the writer for Blade Runner 2049, is co-authoring this one.  It kicks off a new chapter in this series and makes me wonder if I should go back and see what I've missed.  I definitely have the time for some increased reading this summer.

Shipping August 19:


FCBD 2020 Disney Masters Donald Duck Special - This is a collection of rare Donald Duck stories from years past, including "It's Bats, Man" and "Much Ado About Telepathy".  My family is a big Disney fan and it is always fun to read the old comics. While the image says that this is rated Mature, it is definitely an all-ages book.

Shipping August 26:


FCBD 2020 Only Matter of Space Time - Written by Jeffrey Brown, who wrote the delightful Darth Vader and Son series and started the Jedi Academy books, this book is a sneak preview to a new graphic novel that he has coming out soon.  If it is anything like his other books, be prepared to laugh.

Shipping September 2:


FCBD Owly: The Way Home - This is the book that started it all!  One of the first kids' comics I purchased for my kiddos, Owly is very accessible as it doesn't require you to be able to read to tell the story.  Andy Runton uses symbols in place of text when his characters are speaking to one another.  It really opens up your imagination and allows you to create your own dialogue and allows small children the ability to read this on their own.  I highly recommend this series.

Shipping September 9:




FCBD 2020 Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Splatoon Squid Kids - With a daughter named Zelda it should come as no surprise that my family enjoys the Legend of Zelda.  My son has devoured the graphic novels and assures me that this is a stellar pick for your final book of the Free Comic Book Summer.  Cheers!

POSTED BY MIKE N. aka Victor Domashev -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.