Robert Miller of Sarge's Comics Etc. in New London, Connecticut reports in with his Free Comic Book Day experience.

Sarge's Comics in New London, Connecticut celebrated in our usual manner of throwing a big party on FCBD.  It is a time for getting "civilians" into a Comics store, and we feel we really do that well.  It's always difficult to count the actual number of folks strolling through, but I estimate it was on par with previous years numbering over two thousand.

We ordered seventeen thousand comics, which was down a bit form last year's 20K.  We gave out fifteen thousand books.  Of these, four thousand were given out in the lead-up to FCBD at pizza parlors (free with every delivered pizza), barber shops, gas stations, the Stonington Ten Cinema (thanks for the popcorn guys, the FCBD attendees loved it), the local Staples, school upon school, classroom upon classroom.  Stickering and placing invitation fliers in each of the early books is quite exhausting given how close to FCBD many of the titles come, but we managed.  Every book given out gets an address sticker with pertinent info about the store and a great photo of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers in our entrance.  The remaining two thousand comic books we give out all year.  We order extra on the early reader titles like Owly and Sonic and greet new families with them when the come into the store.

As to events, well, it's our biggest sale of the year with 50% off all back issues in the bins, and discounts on every category we have (RPGs, CCGS, miniatures, t-shirts, statues, etc.).  Also, Warhammer games were going on in the game room for curious onlookers.

Many indy and upcoming artist/writer/creators were on hand for sketches and signing.  Many return each year for the friendships they've made with each other and the community.  Artists were on hand almost all day from 10AM until 6PM.  Chris Reilly brought his newest anthology, Strange Eggs Jumps The Shark.  Unfortunately one of our regular guests, Ox Baker was unable to attend, but we carried on missing his bellowing all the while.

There were no real limits to the free Comics.  We just asked that if multiples were taken that they be deployed in a manner proper with the spirit of Free Comic Book Day, you know--FREE!  Yes, we carried all the titles, some deep, some less so.  I'll still be giving some of the Iron Man ones out at the theater this week.

Costumed characters abounded.  It has become an institution as important to many as Halloween or an anime convention.  The Consquad Garrison of the Star Wars 501st Legion laid the framework for all the costumed fun.  Families drove fifty or more miles to experience the fun and to be in the famous group shot.  

All in all a great experience for the community and our store.  I'm sure we can do even more in upcoming years.

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