Eileen Chong of Books Kinokuniya in Sydney, Australia sent us this Free Comic Book Day 2007 report:
This was the first time that Books Kinokuniya, Sydney was participating in FCBD. Kinokuniya is a full range bookstore with a massive graphic novels section.
The vibe in the store was fantastic! Customers and almost all the staff were dressed up (customers were told it was Dress Like Your Favorite Super-hero Day). Cosplayers abounded! This contributed to the electric atmosphere throughout the store. We had Stormtroopers and various Star Wars characters from the Norvus Ordo group walking around, thus generating interest in the free comics from the other sections in the store.
We had a very steady stream of customers, about a 1/3 of whom were parents with kids who were not previously into comics. We supplemented the FCBD comics with free graphic novels. There was a box set aside for every hour (we made a bit of a ceremony each time) and gave away hundreds of graphic novels. Top titles (including Fables Vol. 1, Spider-Man: Feral Vol. 1, Death Note Vol. 1 and Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories Vol. 1) were chosen to showcase the best the industry had to offer (Nothing from the discount bin; after all, FCBD is about how great comics can be -- so we should definitely only put our best foot forward!).
We also ran three panels throughout the day in our new Events Area - centered around the theme of storytelling. David Yardin and Nicola Scott got things off to a magnificent start talking about making comics for America. Guest of honor Queenie Chan closed proceedings with aplomb speaking on all things manga and her series, The Dreaming.
In between, we organized a panel designed to broaden the appeal to the masses not familiar with comics, whilst still firmly spotlighting it. Mark Sexton, Production Designer and Storyboard Artist of Academy Award-winning Happy Feet, (also Star Wars Episode II, Mission Impossible II), W. Chew Chan, Storyboard Artist (on Superman Returns, Happy Feet) and Craig Phillips, cover illustrator (for Tom Swift, the Foo Fighters) was on hand to talk about the influence of comics on their respective disciplines.
It all worked towards creating a festive atmosphere to which the customers clearly took to heart. The response to FCBD was immensely positive and plans are already afoot to make next year's effort even better!
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