Good news for comic book fans, or even those looking to get into it - Free Comic Book Day is happening this weekend, more specifically this Saturday. This international event promotes the love of comic books, so head to your nearest comic book shop to find loads of mahala comics and some nice geek related events. 

Where to go

In Johannesburg, Cosmic Comics noted that they have 8640 free comics to give away, with DC’s Divergence being amongst them. They have received 1000 of these, with only 5000 printed worldwide. Find them on Facebook or go to Mount Dev, 225 Beyers Naude Drive, Northcliff.

Outer Limits is the go-place if you live in Pretoria (285 Lynnwood Str, Java Centre, Menlo Park, Pretoria). Apart from their gratis offerings, there will be discounts on various items, special MTG and desktop gaming events, and cosplay. If you come dressed up in cosplay you get a free extra comic, plus a R30 voucher valid for one week. Sean Izaaks, co-creator of Stray (who we’ve interviewed before), will be at Outer Limits’ JHB branch (8 Main Rd, Melville), and we would strongly recommend to go and meet him to learn more about the industry.

For those residing in the City Bowl, Reader's Den is the shop to visit on FCBD, as they normally pull out all the stops for their loyal customers. Their store located in Claremont is closed today, as well as tomorrow, as their team readies for the mayhem that will ensue on Saturday.

So what's there to look forward to? Well the first 50 customers that spend R500 or more in their store will receive a pretty nifty FCBD goodie bag. The goodie bag (valued at R700) will include a JLA Earth 2 TP graphic novel,  Astonishing X-Men Gifted with motion comic DVD HC graphic novel, FCBD 2015 Heroclix Quickstart kit (Cap & Iron Man mini figures) and FCBD 2015 Badge & bookmark to name a few.

One of the other treats to enjoy, will be Reader's Den now infamous cosplay competition, where the best dressed FCBD visitors will be awarded all kinds of comic book swag. Although Claremont will be where all the main action is happening, Reader's Den in Tyger Valley will be giving away free comic books, and 10% off all in-store purchases on Saturday.

SA comics coming!

If you would like to support the growing SA comic scene, do yourself a favour and buy Velocity 5.1, launching at Readers Den on Saturday. This issue is split in half, with a 40 page comic featuring six stories launching on Saturday, and the other half appearing at Open Book Comic Fest (17-21 Sept). It will retail for a low R60 tomorrow only. Velocity truly showcases the best that SA (and Aussie) has to offer in regards to comic book talent, with this issue featuring Nicolas Rix, Daniel Hugo, Frankie Murrey, Tom Garden, Matt Kyme, Gareth Collition, Craig Bruyn and Jason Bronkhorst.

A brand new SA comic called Sector is also seeing the light of day on Free Comic Book Day. Issue 1 will be available at Outer Limits and Cosmic Comics in Jozi, and at Reader's Den in Cape Town, with the creators on hand in both cities to sign books and talk about the project.

#1 features two ongoing serialised stories by Daniël Hugo/Moray Rhoda and Michael Smith/Diorgo Jonkers, plus a complete story by Nas Who and Karl Mostert. This 20 page comic is set to go for R30.

Free Comics Book Day is a must, since how often are you offered free stuff you will actually like? Our recommendation: find your nearest shop, go and soak up the atmosphere, plus grab some mahala comics while you're at it come this Saturday. 

Below watch Luke Skywalker talk about the fun to be had on Free Comic Book Day.