Free Comic Book Day is getting a big sendoff from mainstream press and promotional partners this weekend.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that the whole world is thinking comic characters because of the premiere of Spider-man 2 (see 'Spider-Man 2 Breaks Record'). 

In the lead-up to the event, retailers, publishers, and Diamond Comic Distributors have all been working to maximize the exposure of Free Comic Book Day at every level, and have been successful at getting the word out. 

One of the biggest was eBay, which put FCBD logos linked to an info page at various places in its collectibles area, and also promoted FCBD in its June e-mail newsletter, which reaches hundreds of thousands of readers. 

Also big on the Web was the AOL Red promotion, which put FCBD info on its welcome page and at several other points in the AOL Red area.

SciFi Overdrive, which is broadcast in 20 markets and Web-streamed, ran a 20-minute FCBD segment in its June 28 program. 

The Young Adult Library Services Association promoted FCBD through its member libraries. 

IDW's PR agency contacted more than 225 radio stations, as well as every Fox and CBS TV station on behalf of FCBD.

Lots of newspaper coverage has already been coming through, with more of the same plus broadcast coverage expected this weekend.