History of Free Comic Book Day in Timeline

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is an annual promotional event held on the first Saturday in May, designed to attract new readers to independent comic book stores. Participating stores give away millions of specially printed comic books. Proposed by Joe Field in 2001 and launched in 2002, the event was initially coordinated by Diamond Comic Distributors. FCBD has grown to become an official Children's Book Week event and has inspired similar events in other countries. Following Diamond's bankruptcy in 2025, Universal Distribution acquired the rights to FCBD, while Penguin Random House runs a parallel event called Comics Giveaway Day.

2000: Publication of Ultimate Spider-Man #1

In 2000, Marvel Comics published Ultimate Spider-Man #1. A reprint of this comic was offered as one of the free comic books during the first Free Comic Book Day in 2002.

August 2001: Joe Field Proposes Free Comic Book Day in Comics & Games Retailer Magazine

In August 2001, Joe Field proposed Free Comic Book Day in his "Big Picture" column in Comics & Games Retailer magazine, inspired by Free Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins. Jim Valentino suggested the first FCBD coincide with the 2002 Spider-Man film opening.

August 2001: Joe Field Proposes Free Comic Book Day

In August 2001, Joe Field proposed the idea for Free Comic Book Day in the Comics & Games Retailer magazine, aiming to attract new readers to independent comic book stores.

May 4, 2002: First Free Comic Book Day

On May 4, 2002, the first Free Comic Book Day event was held, coinciding with the opening weekend of the Spider-Man film. The free comic books included Marvel Comics' Ultimate Spider-Man #1, Dark Horse Comics' Star Wars Tales: A Jedi's Weapon, Image Comics/Top Cow Productions' Tomb Raider #1 1/2, and DC Comics' Justice League Adventures #1.

2002: Launch of Free Comic Book Day

In 2002, Free Comic Book Day was launched, owned and coordinated by Diamond Comic Distributors. The annual event is held to attract new readers to independent comic book stores.

2003: Free Comic Book Day Awarded Lulu of the Year

In 2003, the first Free Comic Book Day and organizer Joe Field were given a Lulu of the Year award by Friends of Lulu, an organization that promotes girls and women in the comics industry.

June 15, 2007: Inaugural Free RPG Day

On June 15, 2007, inspired by Free Comic Book Day, the pen-and-paper roleplaying game industry started Free RPG Day.

2007: Retailer Costs for Free Comic Book Day Comics in 2007

In 2007, retailers participating in Free Comic Book Day paid between 12 to 24 cents per copy for top-tier comics and up to 50 cents for second-tier comics, with a minimum buy-in of approximately US$50.

2008: FCBD Named Official Children's Book Week Event in 2008

In 2008, Children's Book Week was moved to May, and Free Comic Book Day was named as an official Children's Book Week event. The two organizations partner in promoting child literacy.

2010: Launch of Gratis Comic Tag in 2010

Gratis Comic Tag was launched in 2010 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, on the Saturday following Free Comic Book Day. It involved nearly 20 publishers and offered about 35 titles for free.

May 5, 2012: First Free Comic Book Day in the Netherlands and Flanders

On May 5, 2012, the Netherlands and Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) observed Free Comic Book Day for the first time.

2012: Launch of Halloween ComicFest in 2012

In 2012, Diamond Comics launched Halloween ComicFest, held annually on the Saturday before Halloween. It promoted titles themed to the holiday.

2012: FCBD 2012 Attendance and Comics Given Away

In 2012, Free Comic Book Day exceeded one million attendees, with over 3.5 million comics given away.

2014: Reported Media Coverage Value of FCBD 2014

Diamond Comics reported that media coverage of the 2014 Free Comic Book Day event was equivalent to $3.2 million in publicity.

2014: Free Comic Book Day Title Availability 2014-2018

From 2014 to 2018, at least 50 titles were made available on Free Comic Book Day each year to showcase the breadth of the comics industry and attract new readers.

2015: Retailer Participation and Comic Book Distribution in 2015

In 2015, 2,340 retailers ordered 5.6 million comic books to give away on Free Comic Book Day.

2015: Local Comic Shop Day Started in 2015

In 2015, ComicsPRO started Local Comic Shop Day (LCSD), held annually in late November. Approximately 20 special edition comic books are offered each year.

2015: Literacy Guide Carried on FCBD in 2015

In 2015, Free Comic Book Day carried the literacy guide Raising A Reader! How Comics & Graphic Novels Can Help Your Kids Love to Read! among its free titles.

2016: Halloween ComicFest Statistics in 2016

In 2016, about 2 million comics were given away by 1,900 shops during Halloween ComicFest.

2018: Free Comic Book Day Title Availability 2014-2018

From 2014 to 2018, at least 50 titles were made available on Free Comic Book Day each year to showcase the breadth of the comics industry and attract new readers.

2020: Cancellation and Alternative Event for FCBD 2020

In 2020, Free Comic Book Day was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alt Free Comic Days was held online with streaming panel discussions. Free Comic Book Summer was held from July 15 to September 9.

2020: Age Ratings Added for FCBD Comics in 2020

In 2020, age ratings were added to the free comic books offered during Free Comic Book Day, identifying all-ages, teen, and mature content.

2021: FCBD held on August 14, 2021

In 2021, Free Comic Book Day was held on August 14, after the COVID-19 restrictions had eased. The event was considered a big day for fans but delays led to the event being postponed for overseas retailers.

May 7, 2022: FCBD Returns to First Saturday in May in 2022

On May 7, 2022, for its twentieth anniversary, Free Comic Book Day returned to its traditional schedule on the first Saturday in May.

2024: Diamond Loses Sole Major Distributor Status in 2024

By 2024, Diamond had lost its status as the sole major distributor of North American comics.

2025: Diamond Files for Bankruptcy in 2025

In 2025, Diamond filed for bankruptcy, which fundamentally changed the comics landscape. Universal Distribution acquired the rights to Free Comic Book Day, and Penguin Random House organized Comics Giveaway Day.

2025: Universal Distribution Acquires Rights to Free Comic Book Day

In 2025, following Diamond Comic Distributors' bankruptcy and liquidation, Universal Distribution acquired the rights to Free Comic Book Day. Penguin Random House started a parallel event called Comics Giveaway Day.