Sequential Art Au Gratis

Rising fuel prices, home foreclosures, an obsessive and irrational desire to buy new sneakers — there are a lot of reasons that free is a $10 word these days. Luckily for fans of graphic fiction, the comic-book biz is making like a grocery store and hawking samples all day as part of Free Comic Book Day.During the annual event, comic shops give away promotional copies of select titles, giving seasoned fans and new readers alike a chance to see what's fresh. This year, everyone from Jughead to the X-Men will be free for the taking, depending on the retailer.Lawrence's Astrokitty Comics (15 East Seventh Street) celebrates the day with a back-issue sale, a raffle and artists on hand drawing free sketches. Every­one who comes by is entitled to two free comics. For more information, see freecomicbookday.com.
Sun., May 4, 2008