Please, sir, I want some more

A post-analysis of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2016 Philippines

Okay. I know my post title is not a comic book reference, but this is how I am every FCBD.

I started getting into comics through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I'm not ashamed to admit that Iron Man (2008) was my gateway into the Geekdom. Some long-time fans and purists would probably go "Oh, you're not a real fan" or "You're just a poser. GTFO" but I don't care. You weren't involved in my introduction into the wonderful world of nerds and geeks, it was, inadvertently, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., and the beautiful people of Tumblr, so shut the f*ck up.

As I was saying, I got into the FCBD party a little late. FCBD started way back in 2002 in the United States (US) and was imported and has been going on in the Philippines since the same year, but underwent a brief hiatus from 2004 to 2007.

If memory serves me well, my very first FCBD experience was in 2012. I know that's four years since the first Iron Man film, but you have to forgive me because A.) it took some time before the geek in me got some traction, B.) I'm more of a passive-observer fan who wouldn't actively seek out and participate with people who have the same interests as me, and so C.) I only found out about FCBD that year.

It was a time before the guy who lines-up at Fully Booked the night before, but lines already got really long even early in the day. Luckily, that year, there were two FCBDs held since it was also the first time that Fully Booked joined the fun.

Anyway, this post is supposed to be how this year's FCBD went and I think I'm starting to ramble about my older FCBD experiences. I should save those for another post. So, on with the program.

For this year's FCBD, four comic book shops participated in the event: Comic Odyssey through Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street, Filbar's SM Megamall branch, DK (Druid's Keep) Collectibles in The Fort Strip, and Planet X in Glorietta as a minor participant (I asked them).

The previous year, I went to Planet X first, but since they downgraded their shop to a kiosk in the interim, I wasn't certain about how they were going to conduct their FCBD. I thus decided to head to Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street (BHS) first.

At Fully Booked

Since it was the biggest and most popular of the four participants, it had the most going on, giving away at least three FCBD comics and another three back issue comics, and having the most guest artists and activities. Located in an open-space park/mall, it also had the longest line (as far as I know) and earliest bird who, this year, lined-up at 11:30 p.m. OF THURSDAY, which was TWO DAYS BEFORE FCBD! (JFC, seriously, the dedication is admirable, but it's not funny anymore).

Being in the night-shift has its perks, and this was one of them. My work's office being a mere 30 minute drive away (without traffic), I was able to get to Fully Booked BHS early enough, right after work, at around 6:30 a.m. on the day itself. But, even though the event was not to start for another 3.5 hours, there was already a considerable line.

Yeah, I was too lazy to stand-up. Just consider how far we are from the bookstore and that the line isn't exactly
a straightforward straight one but instead had to snake around to accommodate everyone.

There were only two titles that I really wanted to get this year. Despite there being loads of people before me, I felt that they had more than enough of the titles I wanted and that I would still be able to get them.

With the line already reaching almost half of the block by around 7-8 a.m., despite the security guards' best efforts to make the line as compact as possible with a lot of winding around, Fully Booked decided to let people in and get their free comics by around 8:00 a.m.

First haul from Fully Booked. Three FCBD comics
and three free back issue comics

At Filbar's

Getting out of Fully Booked early enough, I thought I could head over to Filbar's Megamall, then head back to DK's in time for their start.

Located inside the complex of a closed mall, Filbar's could comfortably wait until 10:00 a.m. before starting their FCBD event, with the line being controlled and depending on the opening of the mall's doors.

Luckily, I was able to get in almost immediately when the mall's doors opened even though there was already a long line when I got there. I saw a chance and I took it. It pays to be alert and mindful of your surroundings. To be fair, I did give them a few seconds' chance, but since nobody hurried-up to queue in the other line, I decided to be the one to continue that line.

Even though I got to Filbar's just as the mall opened, there was already a line for those they can accommodate, and another line for the Flash Pass, which was like a timed entry ticket. It reserves you a slot, but you have to be there at the time designated in your Flash Pass.

The Filbar's Flash Pass ticket I got.

With the DK Collectible's FCBD event set to start by 2:00 p.m. and my Flash Pass time being so late in the afternoon, I thought it won't be worth it since all the good titles would probably be gone by my turn, so I decided to head back to Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Filbar's was the second biggest, chucking in a free X-Men: Apocalypse poster for the first 100 people together with two FCBD comics, a total of six guest artists with shifting schedules, and a raffle for a custom Vinyl Pop toy.

At DK Collectibles

Back at BGC at around lunch time, I decided to have a meal first since DK's was not to start until 2:00 p.m. I had time, I thought to myself.

I kind of regretted my decision. I ordered a meal that took me too long to finish (I got full, half-way through the meal, but I had to finish it since it was expensive AF. Me and my life choices.) and I just saw on their events page that by around 12:30 p.m., there were already people lined-up.

I wanted to be among the first in line at DK's since they were giving out a cute, chibi Harley Quinn fan art  6" x 9" print to the first 100 people there.

So kawaii! So cray!

Sadly, I missed out on the print, as well as Marvel's Civil War II reading guide that wasn't included in the list of FCBD titles (me and my life choices. UGH!). The guy before me got the last of the reading guide :'( but fair is fair in FBCD.

DK Collectibles was also giving two FCBD comics like Filbar's. But, aside from the free comics, fan art print, and reading guide, they were also allowing participants to pick three comic book post cards.

Round One freebies from DK Collectibles:
two FCBD comics and three postcards

Being my last stop (read intro to know why I didn't go to Planet X this year), I decided to hang-around a bit at DK's and scour its for sale comics.

Sale finds!: Doctor Strange (2015) #1, Darth Vader #2
The New Avengers Illuminati (2006) #1, Iron Man Armor Wars (2009) #1 & #2
All these for less than Php 400!

While all participants gave discounts on comics, toys, and collectibles during FCBD, DK Collectibles was the only one that offered to give more free comics for every store purchases.

Additional free stuff!
Top:more FCBD comics, Bottom: Free previews and more postcards.

Summary

After getting my additional free comics at DK Collectibles, I went back to Fully Booked for a last look (and because I wanted to see someone I was half-hoping, half-expecting I'll see there. I did see him. Good job, intuition!).

Bought at Fully Booked (so I wouldn't look like a stalker).
The Cast of Doctor Who Unauthorized (2012) #1 and
Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin (2013) #1 for Php 200

While, as I said, Fully Booked had the most activities such as a geek pop quiz, loads of cosplayers, and a whole floor for artists, if you're just after free or deeply discounted comics, then DK Collectibles was really the top place to be for FCBD, especially if you have no plans of having to wake-up and line-up before day break.

DK's discounts were the biggest. Aside from that, since it's a niche store, the store's owners and operators were really nice. It feels like a small community of dedicated geeks, with some of my fellow FCBD participants, who seemed to also be regular customers of the shop, being friends with the store staff. While in line to pay, they were discussing their expectation to see another friend drop by, and when he did, they cheered. It's just a really welcoming place, albeit cramped because of the crowd. (If I didn't have a debilitating shyness, I'd make friends with them.)

For the fun, Comic Odyssey in Fully Booked BHS is where you should go. It should be noted, though, that they can quickly run out of FCBD comics to give away, and by the afternoon, it's all gone. Luckily for those living near Alabang and Ortigas, Fully Booked's Alabang Town Center (ATC) and Robinsons Galleria branches also participated in this year's FCBD, but they only gave out one comic in those stores.

Filbar's only misses out on being an ideal go-to store for FCBD due to its location. Starting out as a niche store, it's owners, staff, and regulars have already formed a geek community as well, so fellow comic book fans can expect a warm welcome from them. Other than comic books, comic book boxes, and collectible toys, Filbar's also sells other geek essentials like comic book themed apparel and accessories.

A special mention goes to Planet X, despite me not going there this year. Based from my experience there last year, it's like DK Collectibles in that it's a safe haven where comic fans can be their natural, geeky selves. They also gave out a lot of other free stuff aside from the FCBD comics.

Overall, I think, the true winner here are the fans, who got to enjoy and celebrate their love for comics, while also getting a bunch of free stuff, like it was a geek's Christmas in the middle of summer.

Till next year! :)

P.S.
An event for shih tzus coincided with this year's FCBD, so here's a picture of chocolate pup I saw that looks like an Ewok. Kudos to the owner!

Bonus Ewok-dog for managing to finish my lame blog post! :)