Fueled by some last-minute national publicity, Free Comic Book Day 2005, held on Saturday, had a good chance to match previous years' events in the first non-movie tie-in date.  Two of the largest U.S. national dailies, USA Today and the New York Times, had coverage late last week, joining numerous metro dailies in covering the event. 

 

Free Comic Book Day this year will provide an interesting test on the relative importance of date and a movie tie-in for event results.  Dissatisfied with the July 4th movie tie-in weekend last year, retailers voted to go with the first Saturday in May this year although there was not big comic movie tie-in. 

 

If results this year turn out to have been good, the first Saturday in May will probably be the date for Free Comic Book Day for the foreseeable future.  If results drop off substantially from last year, though, retailers will probably vote to move the date to tie in to a comic-related movie next year.