Free Comic Book Day 2026 at Close Encounters Comic Shop: a Gateway into Comic Culture

On the first Saturday of May each year, comic shops around the world opened their doors to fans, newcomers, and curious passers-by, eager to take part in something that has become a staple of comic culture: Free Comic Book Day.

At Close Encounters Comic Shop on the Kettering Road, Saturday 2nd May was their busiest day of the year. They were giving away five free comic books to anyone that stepped in the door, an offer that attracted both longtime customers and newbies alike.

“I’ve been coming here for 30 years altogether,” says one regular, reflecting on a lifelong relationship with comics that began in childhood and continued through university and beyond.

“I first shopped at Close Encounters, the Bedford branch, then when I was at university it was easier to pick up comics here in Northampton.  I’m from Bedford, but I’ve been back here again for 20 years.”

That kind of loyalty is exactly what Free Comic Book Day is designed to inspire.

A Gateway Into Comics

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) takes place annually on the first Saturday of May. On this day, publishers release special editions — short stories, previews, and samplers — which shops purchase and then give away for free. It’s a global initiative aimed at celebrating comic book culture and, crucially, bringing new readers into the fold.

Don’t just stick to the usual—try something new. Bring your mate, bring your gran, bring people who’ve never picked up a comic in their life. There’s genuinely something here for everyone.

“It’s like a wine tasting for comics,” one fan explains. “You get a little sample of lots of different things — stories you might not normally try.”

From superhero staples like Spider-Man and Batman to manga, sci-fi, and independent titles, the range is deliberately broad. The idea is simple: if someone picks up something unexpected and enjoys it, they might come back for more.

Comic Book Loyalty

For many, comics aren’t just a hobby — they’re a constant fixture in their life, that dates back to childhood.

“I’ve been reading Spider-Man since I was about 10,” the same customer says. “Different writers and artists come and go, and some periods are better than others. But you stick with it — even when it’s going through a bad patch. It always gets better again.”

That loyalty isn’t just to characters, but to creators too.

“It’s the art that draws you in first,” he explains. “It’s a bit like films — you follow certain directors. With comics, I’ll follow certain writers and artists. Sometimes I’ll pick something up just because I like the cover or recognise the artist.”

“As well as the usual suspects like Spiderman and Marvel DC, the Criminal series, an acclaimed, multi-Eisner Award-winning noir comic book series created by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips, is really popular at the moment.

Even on Free Comic Book Day, with free titles on offer, regular habits remain. “I’ve got my standing order — picked up my usual two Marvel comics today as well.”

Inside the Shop

As you might imagine, comic book shops don’t make money from the free comics they give away on FCBD, so most shops such as Close Encounters, will run promotional sales that day to take advantage of the hordes of readers coming in for free comics. And this is part of what makes FCBD such a bustling event: after picking up their free books, most folks will browse graphic novel and manga shelves, or look for  back issues they’eve been hunting down for years.

“We pay for the comics and give them away,” says owner Jeff Chahal, who has been running the shop for over two decades, and has hosted FCBD for 20 of them. “Publishers release specific titles — Spider-Man, Batman, all the usual ones — and we hand them out.

“The idea is to grow the customer base. You get people coming in who’ve never read a comic before. It’s their first time. It becomes a gateway.”

“There’s something for everybody,” Geoff adds. “If you’ve got no money, you can still come in and try something new.”

Close Encounters Comic Shop is located at 29 Abington Square, Northampton NN1 4AE

Website: Closeencounters.co.uk

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CloseEncountersNorthampton