When Free Comic Book Day started, I didn’t particpate. It didn’t seem like the kind of day for the pro user, as we Mac guys might say, to be in the way of the new people. Like, if you work at Baskin Robbins, stay out of the way of Free Scoop Day, right?
That all changed when I did a book for the event. Love and Capes #4 was my first FCBD book. John Gallagher was kind enough to share some great advice for me starting out. And, self-publishing, I was already ahead of the game convincing my boss. So, I took the flyer and did it.
Marc Bowker brought my out to Alter Ego Comics to do a signing that year. My first time in a shop for the event. And after that, it changed for me. I saw the draw of being a professional in the store, even if I didn’t have a book out that year. It was a special time where cartoonists are treated a little like rock stars, and they get to me a whole new world of fans and friends.
I did three more Love and Capes issues for FCBD. It was, hands down, the best promotion I ever did and it’s a huge part of the reason Love and Capes found an audience and I have the level of success that I do. And even though I haven’t done an issue since 2011, it’s still one of my favorite days of the year. I’ve done every one since (with the exception of my Godkids’ two unfortunately-scheduled First Communions… and even one of those I did a midnight event).
I used to have the goal of doing every state in the union for FCBD. I’ve doubled up on Ohio, Indiana, Texas and Delaware though, which means at this rate, if I want to hit that, I’ll probably need to be doing this until I’m 100.
I’m okay with that.