Free Comic Book Day is here again-it's a great time to be a "kid"! Saturday May 5th...

If this was 45 years ago then this weekend I would be heading to Empire Comics on my bike to grab some free comics (But alas it is not ...so instead I drive my car now). Why you ask? Free Comic Books you say...Are you nuts? No one gives away free anything... Well this Saturday is Free Comic Book Day!!! And yes it does mean free comics. It has become an annual event since 2002 that takes place across America at participating comic book dealers and Comixology.com (see link below)every first Saturday in May. Promoting reading and literacy as well as drawing attention to comics and their lasting enchantment with kids of all ages. A medium that has the ability to tell compelling stories or to simply entertain people from age 3 to 100 plus.

Comics are like mini movies in print showing only a portion of action and letting our imagination do the rest. It helps stimulate our creative side of the brain. Just think maybe your kid is the next Einstein or pulitzer prize winner. I myself have been writing since 1989 and reading comics helped with my vocabulary and served as my mentor on how to set up pages and how to outline stories and articles. So please on this busiest of weekends between the Kentucky Derby and ...yes It must be a message from the gods...as the world's mightiest demigod, Hercules would say. Great Zeus!!! All this and Cinco De Mayo coinciding on the same day. AND SPEAKING OF GODS AND SUCH LET'S CHECK OUT SOME OF THOSE FREE TITLES: 50 titles to choose from and I'm just listing a few examples...

There are some awesome issues ready to be picked up by you comic book fans and in honor of Tank Girls birthday look for a very special issue designed especially for FCBD(Free Comic Book Day). Thank Titan Comics for putting this tribute together entitled: A Brief History of Tank Girl.

Oh and don't leave Marvel out with a new #1 Amazing Spider Man series with a back story featuring Guardians of the Galaxy tie-in with the Avengers Infinity Wars film which opened this past weekend setting box office records.

DC swings into action with a slightly tamer storyline with DC SuperHero Girls.This title proved quite popular since last years release. And based on all the tie ins toys-figures and an animated dvd release... probably will be a hot one again this year.

Watchout everyone there's a new hero in town and his name is Bob- Spongebob to you. Yes that's right another brand new adventure with that favorite sea sponge is about to commence. Someone has conjured the most dastardly evil plan all of plans. To steal the secret formula for world famous, mouth watering Krabby Patties and it's up to Mr Krabs to put a stop to it. See ravenous Mermaid Men, Evil Eels, Slippery Sea Cucumbers and just about every rotten, despicable, unsavory villain to ever shuck a clam try to make a grab for the golden ticket recipe. And if that doesn't churn your chum for ya there's 2 more spine thrillin stories tucked away in the backup pages of this most aspiring issue.

Udon Entertainment continues the tradition with a # 1 of Ultra Street Fighter...almost since the beginning there has been an FCBD Street Fighter issue and Ultra is the way to go...now in a race to save Ken from destroying himself it is up to Ryu, Sean, Sakura and Dan Hibiki to come to his rescue...thru sacrifice only can one gain self respect and with the willingness to learn tru wisdom...

Rounding out my list of worthy issues is not but not least IDW's Star Wars Adventures featuring none other than those most sought after space scoundrels of the galaxy... you know the one far. far away.... you guessed it- Han Solo and Chewie. This time out facing down two of the most feared bounty hunters and taking place prior to A New Hope...

The above titles listed here are merely just scratching the surface-pun intended....so make sure you check out the FCBD link below for a complete run down...so now lets check in with one local Florida comic shop:

Now if you happen to live near Sanford,Fl well you are in luck. This local store is pulling out the big guns. nothing short of Thor's mighty hammer could top this. Smash Comics(how appropriate-reminds me of the Hulk) at 370 East 2nd Street, Sanford,Florida 32771.The legendary George Perez is going to be there for signings from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. and doors open at 8:00am with loads of specials.I already know what I am bringing with me to have George sign. My Deadly Hands of Kung Fu Omnibus that weighs in in at almost 10 lbs. That's how I keep in shape, I curl it every couple of days... See the link for FCBD official website below and you'll be able to search for your local comic book shops and see what they are up to this Saturday May 5th.

George Perez popped on the comic book scene in 1974 with Astonishing Tales # 25 as a penciler giving life to Deathlock in a parody of same. This led to his involvement with Deadly Hands of Kung Fu magazine and the action series Sons of the Tiger which ran for several issues. Deadly Hands was a b/w magazine which featured comics including Master of Kung Fu and Iron Fist as well as articles/reviews on films and Television productions that displayed martial arts and latching onto the craze that was sweeping the country at the time. Doesn't everyone remember the hit tune Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas. Then with Bill Mantlo he co- created White Tiger the first Puerto Rican superhero. White Tiger made his way into the 4 color comics via Spider Man. I never missed an issue. I would run up to the town drugstore right after judo practice(back then there were very few stores dedicated to solely selling comics and the related merchandise that we have today). From there came his involvement with Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer and Man Wolf as an illustrator.

George had a lengthy run at Marvel thru the mid 80's and then branched over to DC for a while working on the New Teen Titans and Wonder Woman where he breathed new life into a character that at the time was not only very underrated but just did not get the recognition she deserved. His brilliant work really drew attention to one of the most iconic women superheroes of all time.

And then a return to Marvel in the early 90's to pump some life into the Avengers... and he since then has continued to create flights of fancy and inspire new and up and coming artists and writers of today...so thanks George for making this "kids" life a little more complete and giving us all a chance to dream. Something we all need to from time to tie.

Big news this year official hosts/spokespersons are none other than the stars of Marvels brand new Television series Cloak and Dagger debuting on the Free Form network this June 7th. A poster is being made available to promote the launch during this weekend at participating comic retailers and you check out a special message on the FCBD site. I am stoked and can't wait for the premiere... see link right below

and if that was not enough news to take your breathe away DC Universe has been sending out teaser emails and I suggest you sign to get on the list because there is going to be a new streaming service they are launching in the very near future that is boasting 4 original series including The Teen Titans and Swamp Thing...

And don't forget to stop by Comixology for a heaping helping of digital comics featuring a slew of sales including DC'S Green Lantern issues and graphic novels now thru May7th and home of Comixology Unlimited a monthly subscription service that is optional that offers exclusive digital issues and series not available in print by various publishers including Marvel and Eisner Award Nominee Marleys' Ghost...an exclusive

and as part of there ongoing to commitment to promoting reading another free title provided by DC Comics -DC Nation with 3 brand new stories with The Joker, Superman and the Justice League...

I have been a fan and a devoted reader since I was 4 or 5 depending on who's telling the story. And at age 55 I'm not slowing down with my avarice appetite. In fact if this was Japan there are for sure just as many adults that read comics or manga ( which was created specifically for the older crowd to read before work or on the way home from work in the early 60's). So I hope you all get a chance to stop at a local comic book dealers place fun filled activities this Saturday and bring a costume because that has also become a tradition on FCBD and make sure you check for all the events and have fun and keep reading not matter what your age is. Remember you're never too old for a comic ... so for now this Doc saying " Good night Mrs Callabash where ever you are".

Link to the official site for FCBD 2018:

Link to Comixology