Frontlist | Word Balloons: Free Comic Book Day moves to August in 2021

on Jan 15, 2021

The comic-book holiday Free Comic Book Day usually kicks off the summer season, traditionally on the first Saturday in May. But with the effects of COVID-19 still impacting events, the celebration will be moved this year to Aug. 14. In a release, Diamond Comic Distributors, the nation’s largest comic distributor, announced that the decision was made to move the event to August in the hopes that much of the disruption around the coronavirus will have passed by that time. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the event, first held in 2002. The comic giveaways for the event have yet to be announced, but plans to commemorate this anniversary include themed T-shirts, posters and a commemorative 20th anniversary logo. “In the past two decades, fans have experienced some truly remarkable Free Comic Book Day events because of the commitment of our partners to create an incredible celebration of comics,” said Steve Geppi, President, Chairman & CEO of Geppi Family Enterprises, the parent company of Diamond, in a news release. “It’s such an energizing day and we look forward to making our 20th anniversary celebration the best one yet!”

The event was first proposed and founded by Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord, California. “Celebrating 20 years of FCBD is a fantastic milestone,” Field said in a news release. “Free Comic Book Day has been the introduction to comics for so many, and while the world has changed over these last 20 years, our love of comics and the power of comics to entertain and enlighten is stronger than ever. I’m thrilled we’re focusing on a fun-filled worldwide single-day FCBD again for 2021. I can’t wait to see all the first-time comic-curious readers, as well as our long-time faithful fans come together once again.” Last year, Free Comic Book Day ended up being spread across several weeks to help limit crowds. Typically, more than 5 million comics are given away across more than 2,000 comic store locations. The Free Comic Book Day 2021 titles are expected to be announced in March.