Dean Phillips of Krypton Comics in Omaha, Nebraska has seen comments on Free Comic Book Day (see Jay Bardyla of Happy Harbor Comics & Toys on FCBD Sponsors' 'Gail Burt of Metropolis Comics on Free Comic Book Day' and 'Ilan Strasser of Fat Moose on Ultimates and FCBD)'and feels that FCBD is a great opportunity to introduce people to comics:
In reading recent comments on this site, I find it hard to believe that Free Comic Book Day got voted through to July 3rd. Either that or the retailers that didn't want that date are the most vocal. I just thought I would take a moment to try to give those retailers some hope.
Yes, we have sold out by moving the date away from the previous times. Take a moment to look at Jim Schifeling of Acme Comics' great success with a second FCBD he ran by himself. He proved that (at least at his store) people love free stuff. The time of year doesn't really matter. It is one of the constants of the universe -- make it free and they will come! Sure the 4th of July will take some people out of town. So what. Advertise the heck out of FCBD. Use Spider-Man 2 to your advantage. TV crews and newspapers love to tie in comic books with comic book movies. Add some comic creators for them to interview, have a party, and provide a fun shopping atmosphere. If you put in the time to talk to libraries, schools, singles groups, and anyone else that will listen to you I don't think you can go wrong.
It sounds like I am on a soapbox here but the whole point of FCBD is to introduce new people to this great art form. We need to bring new customers not just into our stores but into the entire hobby. This industry has been so divided over every attempt to benefit itself, we get blinded by our own little problems. Come up with a better idea and let the other retailers know about it. You don't HAVE to participate in FCBD. If you are happy with the way things are in your store, and you are happy with the amount of money you make. By all means don't participate. If you want to expand this industry that is imploding on itself, do every thing in your power to make FCBD (and other promotional ideas) a success. You could sell bread, clothes or cars for a living but you don't. You sell comics. Act like it.
