Free Comic Book Day is back

It's that time of year again: Free comics! This is the seventh year for the promotional event, for which comics shops across the country will be giving away this Saturday a whole bunch of free samplers. As always, it coincides with the opening weekend release of a big comicbook movie, in this case "Iron Man." (For some reason, Marvel has a lot more sway in getting the event tied to its movies, rather than say DC's "The Dark Knight.")

This year's sampling includes 10 "gold books" from the top publishers — Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Archie, Virgin, etc. — that every participating store will carry. There also will be more than 30 "silver books" from a wider array of publishers. This year's giveaways also includes a couple of collectible game miniatures, which is the first non-comics item to be officially included in the promotion.

But perhaps the most fun aspect of FCBD is the opportunity for stores everywhere to stage signings and events. The most interesting is at Atomic Comics in Mesa, Ariz., where all seven Image Comics founders will be signing Saturday afternoon. Closer to Hollywood, writer J.M. DeMatteis of Justice League International and Abadazad fame will make a rare West Coast appearance at Meltdown Comics' Hollywood location on Sunset. Golden Apple Comics has a full day of events planned, including appearances by Top Cow creators. Manhattan Beach's Comic Bug will have a large crowd of pros and plans a special screening of "The Rocketeer" featuring screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo in honor of the character's creator, Dave Stevens, who died a few months back.

If you're looking for a participating comic shop, head over to the event's site or the Comic Shop Locator Service, available online or by calling 1-800-COMIC-BOOK.