Another year, another Free Comic Book Day! Ever since the rising popularity of Star Wars Day, FBCD has taken place on what might be the geekiest weekend in Singapore. With Doujin Market, Board Games at Basecamp and the local Star Wars Day celebrations (at the F1 pit building) taking place, it looks like it’s time to put on those walking shoes and optimise your time on May 4. So here’s our guide on what to do today for Free Comic Book Day – especially if you haven’t got things planned.
Note: Free Comic Book Day is a celebration of comics especially for new readers, so if you’re already a hardcore collector, do pick up some to pass to family and friends, and don’t get too greedy! And don’t forget our map and walking guide at the end of this article.
Major timed events:
10am: Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store
The lines are going to be shorter this year, thanks to their new pre-order system set in place. And if you haven’t pre-ordered, it’s a little too late! But don’t fret, Kinokuniya will still have some selected comics available for Kinokuniya Privilege Card Members, while stocks last.
But that’s not the only reason why you should be here at 10am: Kinokuniya is having S$20 and S$50 Lucky Bags (cash payment only), and if you get the more expensive one, you can get items worth more than S$200 inside! Each Lucky Bag will include varied items such as graphic novel, collectible, figurine, stationery, DVD, Blu-ray, and more. I don’t know about you, but I really love Lucky Bags, even if the items inside can be really dodgy. Also, ask me next time about the dodgiest Lucky Bag I’ve bought. This is only at the main store.
10am to 12pm: Sonny Liew at Absolute Comics
If you’re not hankering for Lucky Bags or even if you are, haul your ass to Plaza Singapura for a signing session with Eternity Girl artist (and Singapore’s Eisner Award-winning) Sonny Liew! He’ll be there to sign comics and just be his usual charming self. Also, there will be free comics up for grabs between 10am to 1pm, with every purchase of at least S$15 will net you a 10% discount at Aroma Gelato at B1-32, Plaza Singapura. Just don’t get those free comics sticky!
12pm – close: GnB Comics
GnB Comics will open at noon, where you guys can pick up 20 Free Comic Book Day comics of your choice. But stick around to buy stuff – all graphic novels will have the US$1 to SG$1 exchange rate. Buy any Marvel or DC graphic novel and get the Spider-Gwen or Batman pin, while the Rey pin is first-come first-served! All merchandise is 20% off, and GnB vouchers are 10% off.
There’s also a “crazy graphic novel section” at the back, if that’s your thing.
12pm – close: Comics World
If you’re done early at Absolute Comics, and want someplace closer than Gnb Comics, Comics World is just a short walk away. The veteran of the comic book retail scene in Singapore Comics World is back for Free Comic Book Day again, this time with those free comics, as well as a US$1 to SG$1 exchange rat for all comics, TPBs and graphic novels sold off the shelf. They also open at noon.
2pm: Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store
In Memoriam: Morgan Chua (1949 – 2018)
Kinokuniya celebrates the life of political cartoonist Morgan Chua, who passed away earlier this year. “In memory of Morgan Chua, several prominent personalities in the comics industry as well as family and close friends of Morgan will be gathering at our Main Store on Saturday, 5th May at 2.00 p.m., to talk about his invaluable contributions to the local creative and artistic communities.”
4pm: Kinokuniya Singapore Main Store
Meet-The-Artists & Writers from COSH Studios
The very cool guys from COSH Studios will be present to talk about their books as well as hold a live drawing sessions! It’s a good time to catch up with what they’ve done, especially after the release of their second wave of books. In all, the seven books are: Coalition of the Savoury Spare Parts by Oh Yong Hwee & Koh Hong Teng, Guidebook to Nanyang Diplomacy by Lim Cheng Tju & Benjamin Chee, Final Resting Place by James Tan, We’ll Eat When We’re Done by Dave Chua & Max Loh, Unstable Foundations by Joelyn Alexandra & Elvin Ching, Kungfu Dough by Don Low and Terumbu by Cheah Sinann.
The map
And here’s our little map guide thing! Our plan: Kinokuniya > Absolute Comics > GnB Comics > Comics World > Kinokuniya. Feel free to tap out and head to the million other geeky events if you’ve had enough free comics for the day.
