Free Comic Book Day 2014: Events and route planning

Another year, another day? Why, Free Comic Book Day is back on May 3, and it’s going to funtimes galore. Sure, it doesn’t coincide with Star Wars Day this year, but who says we can’s celebrate over two days instead? Still, hunting for free comics can be a most tiring task (well, less tiring than the one in London), so we’ve come up with a nice (but almost impossible) route for you to tackle – unless, of course, you have something very specific you’re hunting for. There’s also a map of all the key areas right at the bottom with a suggested route – and maybe it can help you plan your own. (And yes, bonus Star Wars Day stuff below.)

10am: All Kinokuniya Singapore Stores (Our pick: Kinokuniya Main Store, #03-10/15, Takashimaya Shopping Centre)

Start your day early with a visit down to Kinokuniya Singapore where Privilege members will be able to redeem a grab bag of comics. One set of comics per member, and it’s going to be a random draw – so bring a friend so you can swap if you want. Kino’s also known to have some exclusives other shops don’t have, but since it’s the first store to open, this should be your first stop. If you’re headed down to the main branch at Ngee Ann City, our good friends from The Neo Tokyo Project will also be there from 10am to noon. Staying a bit longer? The 501st will be there from 3pm to 4pm, just a day ahead of Star Wars Day (May the fourth). Event ends when store closes – but stocks will run out fast.

Noon: G&B Comics (Blk 1 Rochor Center #02-500)

G&B never fails to deliver with FCBD events, and this year DC Comic’s Ivan Reis (lots of Green Lantern stuff), together with The Vampire Diaries’ Alan Quah, and Sheldon Goh, of Grimm Fairy Tales and GI Joe vs Cobra, will be at the store – from noon when the store opens, it seems. Queueing will start way earlier, so if you can skip Kinokuniya, you might want to.

Even if you’re not there for the artists, bring tons of cash: Graphic novels are getting a US$1 to S$1 conversion, and some of them are buy one get one free. G&B Members will have a priority pass to enter the store which they will need to get before the event itself – that said the store space isn’t big so be prepared to queue (unless you come really late and almost everything is out of stock).

Our tip? Head down here once you’re done at Kino, and just prepare to queue. I’m guessing the event ends once everybody dies from exhaustion.

1230pm (Optional): Kinokuniya Main Store

Local comic artist Jerry Hinds (Get Carter! The Last Dragon Scout) is back at attempting to kick start another comic series, SupaCross. Starring Singapore-based superheroes Singapore Sling and D-Temasek, this will be a two-day Supa-Preview Party, after their soft launch at Atom Comics on April 4. Meet the creators and find out more about the official release at the event. It will also take place on May 4, if you can’t squeeze it in. This event lasts till 2pm. Looks like we will be giving this a miss – by 12.30pm I doubt we’d be done with the G&B queue.

1pm: Invasion! Toys & Collectibles (109 North Bridge Road #05-36, Funan DigitaLife Mall)

From noon (so head right here if you’re skipping G&B), Invasion! will be given out free comics AND mystery swag (while stocks last). They’ll also be having special guests: Andie Tong and Shawn Yap will be there. Also head over here first if you want some Spider-Man swag, or a Batmobile from Kotobukiya’s One Coin series back in 2004 – they’ll go out to the first Spider-Man cosplayer and the first 10 in line respectively. The event’s from noon till 7pm (clashing with G&B), but expect the comics to run out first. We love Andie’s and Shawn’s work, so if G&B’s suffocating crowds aren’t your thing, this might be ideal.

2pm: Atom Comics (2 Handy Road, #03-02, The Cathay Singapore)

A new player in the comic book retail secen in Singapore, Atom Comics (together with The Cathay) will also be having their own events throughout the day. We’ll update this as we get more details! Expect free comics.

Then take a (short) break till …

5pm: Shaw Lido Urban Plaza (350 Orchard Road)

In collaboration with G&B Comics, Shaw Theatres will be giving up to 900 Shaw movie-goers with a valid Shaw Theatre ticket stub and Lido Facebook check-in two free comics. Ivan Reis, Alan Quah and Sheldon Goh will also be there, together with other local artists providing free caricatures and sketches. Just two free comics each – so this does make a good last stop if you’re trying to collect them all.

Not enough? Take a long sleep goodnight before …

BONUS ROUND, Star Wars Day, May 4:

11am: Jurong Regional Library (21 Jurong East Central 1)

It’s not a trap, it’s the official Star Wars Day event held all the way in the west (WHY WHY WHY). Both the 501st and Fightsaber will be there, and there’ll be a documentary screening of Plastic Galaxy: A History Of Star Wars Toys, a display of the toys themselves, fan-fiction contests, doodling sessions, and even X-Wing Miniatures gaming … too bad I stay in the east!

3pm: Kinokuniya Main Store Singapore

If you’re only here for comics, and not burnt out by May 3 (burnt out from getting free comics? What are you?), Star Wars Day on May 4 will have Ivan Reis heading to Kinokuniya for signings from 3pm till … I’m guessing whenever his hand falls off. But you know, he needs it to earn a living, so try not to bring your entire library?

And that’s a crazy wrap! Did we miss anything? Tell us in the comments – or even tell us your own route!