The polls are now open for comic retailers, who can visit the Diamond Comic Distributors Website and place their votes for either May 7th or June 18th as the best date for Free Comic Book Day 2005. 

Retailers can read arguments posted on Diamond site by CBG EIC Maggie Thompson (in favor of May 7th) and DC Vice President Direct Sales Bob Wayne (for June 18th).  Thompson feels that Free Comic Book Day can stand on its own and should be held on the first Saturday in May year in and year out in order to establish a consistent yearly promotion.  Wayne argues that FCBD functions best when connected with a popular comic book-based film and that June 18th should be preferred based on the possibilities of co-promotion with Batman Begins.

Retailers have only until noon (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday, September 10th to place their votes on the Diamond Website for either May 7th or June 18th.