Free Comic Book Day is an initiative that began in the US in 2002, as comic book retailers wanted to create greater awareness of the medium among the public. South African comic book stores also took up this mantle, hosting an event every year on the first weekend of May.

This time round, Free Comic Book Day will be happening on Saturday 3 May, as a means of generating interest in an underappreciated art form. Two locally based stores in particular have thrown their weight behind this initiative, with Reader's Den (Claremont, Cape Town) and Cosmic Comics (Northcliff, Johannesburg) being major participants.

The New 52: Futures End

The free comic books themselves are either donated or sponsored, with every single person who visits the store on that day receiving a comic book of choice. Comic books range from The New 52: Futures End and Guardians of the Galaxy to Archie and Spongebob Squarepants, so there is something for everyone. Store owners also encourage visitors to dress up as their favourite comic book characters and participate in Cosplay competitions for prizes.

We'll be detailing Free Comic Book Day in South Africa during the coming week, so stay tuned for more updates and interviews.