Robert Miller, Heather Cheney, and Feral Von Halstern of Sarge’s Comics Etc. in New London, Connecticut share their experience with Free Comic Book Day 2008 (see “National Comics Holiday this Weekend”), and say it was “another rousing success!”
Free Comic Book Day at Sarge's Comics Etc. in
Comic book creators lined the center of the store and costumed characters walked the isles and storefront. We are a huge store, residing in an old Kresge department store, and on FCBD, we fill the entire space with a great, respectful throng of happy faces.
Ox Baker, the bad boy wrestler, was on hand signing photos and bellowing about. We had him inside the store this year. In previous years he would be outside, but weather was not suitable for that this year.
The Consquad detachment of the 501st Star Wars Earth Garrison showed their numbers in force. Some members had multiple costumes and changed throughout the day.
Artists and writers included Keith Champagne from DC; Chris Reilly from SLG; Randall Ensley Award winning sci-fi and fantasy illustrator, Professor William H. Foster (Looking for a Face Like Mine); artist Dave Q; Brett Swanson and "Power Kid;" writer John Escabales (Corte); Keith Murphy of the Comic Artists Guild; writer Andrew LoVuolo (The Rift); illustrator Paul Timmons; and caricaturist Elaine Mills.
The day was cooler and wetter than we had hoped, which we figured accounted for fewer cosplayers than in previous years. Still, over 50 characters in costume made the rounds. Local children strutted in wearing great homemade Transformers gear. It is Halloween in May, as one mom called it!
All characters in costume received a free custom button celebrating cosplay at Sarge's as well as all the pizza and popcorn they could eat.
We gave away over 15,000 comics and smiles lit up the land! Seven thousand were given out in strategic locations early, each adorned with a sticker with our name, address, and a picture of the costume players from previous years as well as a flyer inviting people to the event with our guest list and a nice photo of Star Wars cosplay.
The Regal cinemas gave away a couple thousand of these books, many in the two days prior to FCBD when Iron Man opened, as well as donating free popcorn to all who attended FCBD.
The Iron Man HeroClix went over very well, needless to say. I should have ordered more than four hundred... ah hindsite!
A radio and newspaper campaign complemented the guerrilla marketing. We targeted a classic rock station this year and ran an ad in the Norwich Bulletin.
Party sized pizzas came in throughout the day, totaling 30. We only had two left over by the end of the day. Pricey pizza bill though...
Michael's Dairy Downtown was on hand with yummy ice cream and floats.
All in all, FCBD 2008 was as fine an advertisement for our store and industry as one could hope. With the added consumer awareness of Comic Books via the Iron Man movie, I envision a prosperous year for our industry.
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