Free Comic Book Day Updates For CNJComics 2026

Okay, everyone, here are some final updates on FCBD 2026 at Carol and John’s Comic Book Shop!

This is a stream of consciousness email, so never mind the typos, we’re in the eleventh hour here!

All the books are in! We keep saying “Come early for the best selection,” but what that means is that the earliest people will have the best chance at getting the exact books they want. People ask, “What time do people start lining up?” The answer is we have no idea, it’s different every year based on a lot of factors, and we’d hate to steer someone in the wrong direction. At this point, it looks like no rain but a little cold around 45 degrees, so dress appropriately if you plan to wait in line.

On that note, you do not have to wait in the Free Comic Book Line to engage in the event. You can check out the shop, the local vendor space, heck, you can even get in the other line for David Micheline, who will be in the back of the free comic book room. You will have to wait in the FCBD line to get your free David Michelinie book, though (as that will be given to you as you exit the FCBD line). First 200 people get a Venom Graphic Novel, next 300 get a Venom comic book, both written by David. (You can’t get both, but you can pick from one or the other while they are both available.)

If you don’t already have an event print, those will be at the end of the FCBD line, too.

David’s awesome! He’s giving everyone one free signature in the spirit of the day, then it’s $10 each after that. Best part? All the money goes to Purring Pals, a cat rescue in David’s home state of Delaware! Cash preferred, but we will have someone (Alex, actually) collecting that money for the cats.

We did get the Action Comics #1 Backdrop remade! It’s in the back of the FCBD room, and you can snap a picture on your own. Please be careful holding the cars, and please don’t block that photo area when you’re done. (which is easy to accidentally do since it’s a wide open space in a crowd.)

Age Ratings! Due to the split nature of the event (It’s actually part Free Comic Book Day, part Comic Giveaway Day), age ratings are wonky this year. Green label means good for kids, red label means adults only, and blue and yellow should be looked over for content. (Typically, blue/yellow would mean teen+, but a lot of publishers must have lost that memo.) We classified the books into Green (Go!) Yellow (slow down) and Red (stop), but parents, please look over any books that are not green to make sure it fits your parental parameters!

We will also have a photo area backdrop outside of the FCBD room with Shields, Hammer and Gauntlets. Have at it, but again, be careful with my stuff!

We are excited to say that social media coverage will be provided by Sonny Boy Comics. (Sam and Maddy)

If you see him walking around, engage! Here’s how to track him on the day and after.

You can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube

Sam will also be recording our VIP Q and A with David and posting it on his YouTube on Friday, so you can watch it before Saturday. (so ring that bell and sign up for his YouTube channel!)

We will also have Laura Wimbels out there taking photos as always. Oh yeah, we’ve got an event coming up with Laura soon! But let’s get through FCBD first!

How do I get those cool capes?

Well, we’ll be handing them out to kids waiting in line before the event starts at 10 am, so if you get one, please show your pride and wear one! Otherwise, the Cleveland Fire Department will hopefully be coming out early on. (they can always have a fire, you know!) Engage the smoke house trailer for extra free comics, and get a cape if you make it through the smoke trailer. The smoke trailer simulates crawling through a smoke-filled house with non-toxic smoke.

(SIDE NOTE: We have 200 capes to give away, and another 200 are stuck in the mail and won’t make it in time for FCBD. If you really want one and come up empty-handed, come find us at the shop a couple of weeks after the event, and we’ll get you one, no problem.)

CNJComics also supports several Cleveland Public Library branches on Free Comic Book Day!

We also have an awesome lineup of artists and creators in our vending space in the FCBD room.

Here’s a list of who will be there: Ryan Drost, Perris McKay, Zach and Erik Nelson, Sleepy Robot 13, CHOD Artist, Quill Kolat, Ashley Ribblett, Rick Sans and Sergio Andujar, Nerdy Magpie Curiosities, ReGeeked, Cory Holliday, Marc Summerak, Tess Anderson, Miguel C Hernandez, Genghis Con Cle, and of course Luna Dudas. Erin Caruso will also be set up outside with the Rust Belt Monsters painting this year’s mural. Please spend some time engaging your local Cleveland Comic Book Scene! Spend a little money with them, too.

On that note, a reminder that back issues will be 50% off on the day!

Buying something on Free Comic Book Day is a great way to support the event, and we understand that not everyone can afford to do that. We have a huge inventory of DC Absolute graphic novels and DC Compact Editions ($9.99 copies of classic DC stories!) Special Hardcover editions of the first volumes of Absolute Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman were created just for FCBD, and you’ll see those for sale on the new comic book table.

Basically, make sure you leave the event with an awesome story to read, and we appreciate your business.

There’s lots of other stuff going on, but we’ll let you explore the event for yourself.

The best thing you can really do for us is to bring a friend with you and introduce them to the hobby. Sharing the story of your day on social media helps a lot, too, and seeing everyone’s posts is really gratifying for us post-event. (feel free to tag us!) This is the stuff that has kept us in business for over 35 years.

If I had a time machine (here we go…) I’d love to go back to 2002 to the first free comic book day, find myself after the event, and say, “You did a great job, kid, but you’re going to have to do this at least 24 more times. Good luck.” Back to the Future taught us that none of this stuff ever truly ends.

Happy 25th Free Comic Book Day, everyone! Comics and Community!

Oh… Wait… a word from… J Jonah Himself!!!!