Free Comic Book Day is a tradition that even Sheldon Cooper could get behind.
As the name suggests, comic-book lovers flock to participating specialty stores around the world every first Saturday of May to stock up on select complimentary items, with some showing up dressed as their favorite superheroes (or villains).
[seealso slug="pop-culture-workouts"]
The first Free Comic Book Day took place in May 2002. The event was launched to promote the comic-book industry to those who weren't familiar with it (and as a treat for those who were). Many parents even bring their children to encourage them to read, or to share their passion for the art form. The international event is similar to Record Store Day a tradition that began in 2007 to encourage people to celebrate their love of vinyl.
In true geeky fashion, many people tweeted about this year's event, often under the hashtag #freecomicbookday, which trended online Saturday. Some showed off stacks of comic books bought on the cheap, while others commented on long lines and enthusiastic fans. We've collected the cream of the crop, below:
This is how we get down on free comic book day! pic.twitter.com/3lInIdC9ac
— Doctor Daniel Crosby (@incblot) May 3, 2014
For Free Comic Book day I took a bunch of them out of their plastic sleeve prisons. Then 100 nerds beat me to death with action figures.
— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) May 3, 2014
We came we saw we got free comics #FreeComicBookDay pic.twitter.com/rf0v7SIgdr
— Breacher18 (@breacher18) May 3, 2014
I'm a happy man...got 4 of my fav superhero comics, free baseball card and more comics #FreeComicBookDay #nerdtears pic.twitter.com/YBvfooRi30
— K. (@kEsquire) May 3, 2014
Just saw a girl in her prom dress at @CaptsComicsToys for #FreeComicBookDay, said she "couldn't miss this." #GeekGirlsRock
— Nick Nafpliotis (@NickNafster79) May 3, 2014
This is what I walked away with today. I spent less than 10 bucks. #FreeComicBookDay pic.twitter.com/30s51bWYBM
— BlackGirlNerds (@BlackGirlNerds) May 3, 2014
My mom asked me how much I spent so I said it quietly and then she was like oh that's not bad why didn't you buy more #FreeComicBookDay
— Danigga (@bobsacoolword) May 3, 2014
#FreeComicBookDay is not a game today. And this is only my first stop. pic.twitter.com/DGuR9fKzzn
— BlackGirlNerds (@BlackGirlNerds) May 3, 2014
It's nice when box office competitors can put aside their differences for #FreeComicBookDay! pic.twitter.com/kQfkKKIQNv
— Strange Adventures (@strangeadventrz) May 3, 2014