The Philippine Online Chronicles

Free Comic Book Day happens twice in the Philippines – the first at the beginning of May, together with the annual International Free Comic Book Day, and the second at the end of the month, held exclusively by book store chain Fully Booked.

May 7 – International Free Comic Book Day

Imagine the third floor of Robinsons Galleria where Comic Odyssey can be found filled with people carrying raffle stubs in line before a ring of comic artists signing autographs, and tables staggering under the weight of piles and piles of free comic books.

Truth be told, you’d have to bring a fair amount of money despite the “FREE”, unless you’re content picking three out of this year's thirty free titles.

Among these were The Amazing Spider-Man, PEP Comics Featuring Betty & Veronica, Kung-Fu Panda, BONGO Free-for-All (2011), Darkness II: Confession, Sonic the Hedgehog, Young Justice Batman Super Sampler, Witch & Wizard, and Captain America/Thor: The Mighty Fighting Avengers! I got to pick only two - PEP Comics and Darkness II - because supplies were low.

Inside Comic Odyssey however, back issues of classic Marvel and DC titles were selling for as low as Php50.00. For the information of manga fans, the only truly cheap manga was Yu-Gi-Oh!—all other manga titles were behind those immaculate (and sadly locked) glass cases, but hey, at least they were 50% off.

As for the aforementioned raffle stubs, they were tickets to winning even more comics—the shiny hardbound sort—every fifteen minutes. I didn’t win anything but I caught a glimpse of some of the prizes, such as Stephen King’s Dark Tower.

Within the ring of comic artists were situated such internationally renowned names like Gerry Alanguilan (Ultimate Avengers, Wolverine), Carlo Pagulayan (Hulk, Elektra), Jay Anacleto (Thor, Spawn), Kajo Baldismo (Star Wars, Trese), and Philip Tan (Green Lantern, X-Men), among others.

Beginning 1:00pm, these men were faced with lines of comics fans asking for rough sketches with their signatures on them, to which they willingly obliged.

There was also a smattering of indie artists present: Rommel Estanislao (Lipad—and from whom I’d also bought his small booklet of comics about the Typhoon Ondoy tragedy for Php30.00), Lyndon Gregorio (Beerkada), RH Quilantang (Goodbye Rubbit), Josel Nicolas (Windmills: Breakdowns), and Gio Paredes (Kalayaan). All were selling their most well-known titles, with a variety of their other works.

All-in-all: an exciting, adrenaline-pumping event, although I wished for better logistics. In the end, it’s worth it (especially if you get there and line up early).

May 21 - Fully Booked Free Comic Book Day

Fully Booked offered the same Free Comic Book Day fare, though you could only pick one comic before getting stamped on the arm with a red 'FB'. I got myself a Kung-Fu Panda comic.

Unlike the May 7 event, there was no line to speak of and all the discounted books were neatly stacked on one shelf. Graphic novel box sets were mixed with manga, the more cartoony American comics (Dilbert, Calvin & Hobbes, Archie Comics), and your usual Marvel and DC titles in boxed sets.

Fully Booked’s focus was more on the graphic novels, which were going for 20% off. In PowerPlant Mall’s branch, the titles available included the graphic novel adaptations of Neil Gaiman’s novels (Stardust and Neverwhere) and spinoffs from the Sandman series (Dream Hunters from the interpretation of different artists); Alan Moore’s Watchmen; adaptations of Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew series; and much more.

The May 21 Free Comic Book Day was by far, more quiet and more orderly, but perhaps less advertised. Or it could be that a) most people already have copies of the free comics, or b) the prices are not low enough to entice the average comic collector.

Photo taken by writer.