May Fourth was a great day for nerds around the Duluth area. Claimed by Star Wars fans with the slightest bit of imagination, only the slightest, the Fourth of May is Star Wars Day. I cringe, still, every time I hear someone say “May the Fourth be with You.” Except when William Shatner says it, because the irony I read into it is delicious.

And I much prefer the Whovian interpretation, taken below from the Doctor Puppet Twitter feed. May the Fourth Doctor be with You. It works for the first thirteen days of the month, until we run out of Doctors.

But all of that makes me sound like a grumpy old nerd, which I might be. But I don’t want to come across that way.

I am here, instead, to celebrate the real national holiday celebrated on the first weekend of every May, every year since 2002: Free Comic Book Day.

On Free Comic Book Day, participating comic book store retailers give away specially printed copies of free comic books, and some offer special deals and creator signings to those visiting their establishments. However, retailers do not receive the issues for free; they pay 12–50 cents per copy for the comics they give away during the event.

Our local shops see hundreds of visitors on Free Comic Book Day, maybe into the four figures if you count the wee ones.  Below are candid snaps taken at our two local shops.

Free Comic Book Day at Rogue Robot Games and Comics, with owner Ryan and a customer patiently awaiting a balloon.

Free Comic Book Day at Collector’s Connection.

I appreciate the Nerd Culture available in Duluth every day, and once a year, I appreciate the comics that I read and share with kids and others.

Some of my favorite titles from this year are pictured below. If you know a nerd who snagged some free comics, ask them to share with you.