Jay Bardyla of Happy Harbor Comics & Toys in Edmonton, Jasper, Lloydminster & Vancouver saw the Talk Back comment by Dean Phillips of Krypton Comics (see 'Dean Phillips of Krypton Comics on FCBD Election') on the results of the election to choose the date for the 2005 Free Comic Book Day (see 'May Wins Hands Down') and has this response:

The first problem I would have with Phillips' protest is that it lacks long-term vision.  What happens if, a couple years down the road, there is no major super-hero movie to tie FCBD into?  In my opinion, the more work we do now to lay the foundation for a consistent, annual event, the better our chances will be for getting media coverage and so forth when there is no chance for cross-promotion with the movie industry.  Build today for tomorrow, I say, and it seems the majority agrees.

The other mentionable note is his pointing out that May is graduation month.  First, find me a month that doesn't have some sort of potential drawback to holding an event.  And second, graduation?  I find it difficult to believe that graduations could affect any single day promotion unless they fall on the same day and there's not too many graduations on the first Saturday in May.  On top of that, we've had dozens of people visit our Jasper, Alberta store killing time before their wedding!  If a guy who's getting married in a couple hours can find the time to come in and grab some Superman trades to calm his nerves, I find it hard to believe that grads would be too preoccupied to make the trip to your store, if they wanted too.

In the end, you'll get out of FCBD what you put into it.  Advertise whatever way works best for you, through theatres, newspapers, radio; in mass markets or just in post-secondary school media.  FCBD will work if you want it too, just set your goals appropriately and have fun!  It's comic books, fer cryin' out loud!