Free Comic Book Day is May 7-here are the ones for all ages #FCBD

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Free Comic Book Day is almost here! It’s always the first Saturday in May and in 2016 in on the 7^th. There are dozens upon dozens of comics for teen and adult readers and just under two dozen title that are all age comic books. These are full size comic books that sometimes have full size stories and in other cases have two short stories that introduce a couple characters or plot lines. There is something for every young reader, all age comic book fan or anybody who likes to read.

Your local comic book store will vary, but on average you can take five (5) free comic books on Free Comic Book Day.  While any comic book is a good comic, it pays to plan ahead, especially if you’re with a young reader where the content of the book is of concern.

Everything listed below is an all ages comic. Some might be for ages 9 and up, if that’s the case we’ll break it down for parents accordingly. Free Comic Book Day is a great chance to get kids interested in reading in a subject that they want to read about. Name an interest, demographic or genre and it is featured in some way on FCBD. You can find your local comic book store here.

Archie

This features most of issue #1 from Archie and a snippet of Jughead. It’s important to note that this is not your parent’s Riverdale. The art is modern, the situations that Archie, Veronica, Betty and so on experience are in line with today’s teens. There are still some classic nods like the soda shop and the tough guys wearing leather jackets, but this series is utterly modern and totally awesome.

Awake

Awake is from Action Lab and is great all age science fiction/action for anyone. It features a boy and girl protagonist who are unaware of each other, yet working to accomplish the same thing. The comic also has some nice advertisements in the back for their other all age titles including Hero Cats of Stellar City, Mage, Action Lab: Dog of Wonder and Super Human Resources.

Bob’s Burgers

Bob’s Burgers is from Dynamite and is OK for all ages, but middle school kids and older will really enjoy it. Even older readers (see: me) will appreciate the varied art and endless possibilities that the artists have with the covers. The FCBD version of Bob’s Burgers is a great example of this. It features three short stories and a cover gallery that pulls inspiration from classic art. This is fun stuff that everyone should pick up.

BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios produces some of the best titles in comics on a consistent basis. They also do some of the best all age comic books. This is the first of a sampler collection from a publisher that we’ll feature for FCBD. It has six short stories and is one of the comics that you (or your  young reader) must pick up. Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, Mouse Guard, Adventure Time, Lumberjanes, Goldie Vance and The Cloud are all given space in this fabulous comic. Each short story has a different art style, storytelling pace, comedic timing, level of abstractness and more.  Simply put, there is something for everyone in the BOOM! Studios sampler, pick it up.

Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises

Raise your eyebrows at a comic book about Bruce Lee who is alive and well in modern times do you? We did too, until we read it and said that it was the best new all age title this year. The FCBD version of Bruce Lee: The Dragon Rises has just under half of the first issue of the comic book contains. We saw the free version and ran out to get the complete #1 issue. It’s packed with action, a believable sci-fi plot, teen helpers, throwback humor and a letter from his daughter that helps explain it all.

Camp Midnight

Camp Midnight is the spooky tale of Skye, who is sent to summer camp on the wrong bus to Camp Midnight. This is the place where monsters go to camp, night time is when they’re active and transform into their true monster selves. Mia is a monster and can transform into one, but doesn’t because of Skye is not a monster. The simple art-done in stark contrast is refreshing and really works for the story. Some younger readers might be too freaked out by the monsters, but kids 8 and up will love it.

Dark  Horse Comics

This is another compilation from a publisher, Dark Horse Comics has three short stories from The Legend of Korra, How to Train Your Dragon and Plants Vs. Zombies. The art in all of the stories is realistically drawn and might not appeal to younger readers, but the content is A-OK for anyone.  It’s packed with action, comedy and just might introduce you to your next, new favorite comic book.

Dark Lilly & Friends

Dark Lilly is one of the four stories in this comic from Space Ghost Publishing. In addition to that you’ll find Monster Elementary, Rocket Queen & The Wrench and Mage, Inc. This is the first appearance of Dark Lilly, a girl who is living on the moon but finds herself going to Earth via a moon beam. Ages 8 and up will enjoy any of the stories, while 6 and up will enjoy Monster Elementary.

DC SuperHero Girls

Super heroes, super problems and girl power. Supergirl, Batgirl, Poison Ivy, Bumble Bee, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn attend school together and must deal with tests, family, friends and unseen enemies who want to hurt them. This is a great, female centered, all age action comic that will leave you wanting more.

Doctor Who

In our mind Doctor Who is an all age comic book. There is nothing objectionable in the comic, but we readily admit that its vocabulary and realistic looking art will not appeal to younger readers. If you’re child is not a fan of time and space by the time they’re 9 years old have them try out this comic book. The art is fabulous and the story is as good as you expect from the pedigree that is Doctor Who.

Dream Jumper

Dream Jumper from Graphix Spotlight was one of our 6 year olds favorite comics from FCBD.  Ben can jump into other people’s dreams and this issue is all about his trippy, bacon wrapped, doctor fearing action oriented adventures. This has action from start to finish, with big art that kids of all ages will enjoy reading. The vocabulary is spot-on for ages 6 and up to be able to read on their own, which is a huge sense of accomplishment.

Grumpy Cat (and Pokey!)

Grumpy, surreal and feline fine, the internet’s favorite cat with a bad attitude has its own comic book. Pokey is along for the ride, because two grumpy cats would be too much like the grumpy old men from The Muppets. Light on action, heavy on humor, Grumpy Cat is great for any age that wants to laugh and can read.

Hilda from Nobrow

This is a compilation book from Nobrow that has a story from Hilda, Fantasy Sports, Akissi and Tontu. Without a doubt this is the all ages comic book that has the most international flavor for NCBD. Hilda is set in a European village, Akissi is in an African urban setting and Fantasy Sports looks like a manga from Japan.  This is a full size comic book that will introduce young readers to things that they probably haven’t seen before.

Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom

If the cover to Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom looks like movie characters there’s a great reason for that. Howard Lovecraft is a well known horror writer, this is his all age creation about a Cthulhu, Howard and The Squid Kids. It’s being made into a movie that will be released in the fall of 2016. Arcana handles the comic book and it also features The Unknowns, a new series that Stan Lee created about a rock band, aliens and monsters.

Junior Braves of the Apocalypse

This billed at all ages and to an extent it is, but it’s certainly at the upper end of all ages. It’s not graphic, but the content and overall story might be too much for non-zombie kids. Ages 10 and up will be OK with this book as their gateway to Walking Dead.

Mooncop

Mooncop: A Tom Gauld Sampler has content that is OK for all ages, but the humor, dryness and intellectually aspects will put off young readers. Having said that, for older reader it is hilarious and reminiscent of Life in Hell by Matt Groening.

Oddly Normal

Oddly Normal is a teen girl who thinks that her parents watch her too closely. She also thinks that they are weird and wishes that they would disappear, which they do. It’s then that she realizes that was weird because she’s living in an alternate world with freaks, all age friendly monsters and more.  Oddly Normal is also a monthly title available from Image Comics.

The Phantom

Holy Billy Zane! The Phantom is soon to be back in a monthly series. The FCBD version of The Phantom reproduces some classic comics from the 70’s. They have a pulp, throwback feel that will appeal to readers 9 and up due to its bigger words and art work that isn’t as detailed as today’s stuff.

The Pink Panther

The Pink Panther has one original story, a one-page with The Ant and the Aardvark and a re-print of a classic story from the 70’s. A new monthly comic from The Pink Panther is coming from American Mythology Production this spring and if this issue is any indication it’ll be one of the best new all age titles this year. This is funny, classic, contemporary and has laughs for all age readers.

Pokemon

Pokemon is less of a comic book and more of a Pokemon quiz. It introduces the characters through a series of large comic panels and smaller multiple choice questions. The fans will be able to answer it quickly, the new fans will guess and quickly become accepted into the Pickachu fold.

Sanjay and Craig

This FCBD release from Papercutz and Nickelodeon for Sanjay and Craig is just what fans of the show expect. Like an otherworld cross between Spongebob and The Regular Show, Sanjay and Craig have been on TV since 2013 and their comic book follows the surreal humor closely. This book also has a couple stories from Harvey Beaks, which fits in nicely with its humor.

Science Comics

Science Comics is from :01 First Second books and is a great example of why they produce some fabulous graphic novels. In this case, are they comics that educate readers or a plot from teachers to get their students to read comics? Either way, this comic succeeds and will motivate you to check out the entire release. This comic features How A Cartoonist Got Her Gills and Volcanoes Can Save Us. The art is awesome and the education is factual. Ages 8 and up can learn, any age can be entertained.

The Simpsons

The Bongo-Free-For-All continues their streak of being one of our favorite releases for FCBD. It’s a huge issue that has all new stories that are funny, creative and your favorite characters from the longest running comedy on TV. There are so many gags in this comic that you’ll find yourself re-reading it throughout the year.

Spongebob Freestyle Funnies

Spongebob is one of our go-to comic books and their FCBD entry is a great example why it’s so awesome. The comic is legitimately funny, has multiple short stories with very different art styles with various influences. Plus, it’s funny, kids 6 years old and up will laugh, enjoy the art and you’ll remember why comic books can be a kid’s best friend.

Sonic the Hedgehog Sampler

Sonic the Hedgehog is a very satisfying all age comic book. In this FCBD sampler you’ll get a short story and a set up to what is happening in the current issue of Sonic Universe 83. This book and character are packed with action, great for boys or girls and is one of the ones that you should pick up on Free Comic Book Day.

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake just released issue #1 in her new monthly series. This FCBD offering gives you an overview of the Blueberry Muffin, Plum Pudding, Cherry Jam, Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue and everyone else. This is packed with bright colors, tween drama, Bosley Bookworm and laughs that will keep girls of all ages laughing.

 

Those are the all age comic books for Free Comic Book Day. It’s important to note that there are dozens more titles that will be great for upper teens to adults. Enjoy the comic books, follow along using #FCBD on twitter to share photos of kids in costume and more fun that the family can dig into.