The Bay Area has more comic shops than any other region of the United States. Within a 15-mile radius of San Francisco’s City Hall, there are no less than 10 stores pushing funny books on impressionable youth (and adults). Free Comic Book Day returns on May 4 and due to the close proximity of Bay Area stores, it’s possible to hit five or six in a single day (if you’re so inclined). That equals a lot of free comics. Here’s our guide on how to do Free Comic Book Day right in the Bay Area.
Local Comic Shop Day is tomorrow (November 19)! We’ve done our best to collect information on signings around the Bay Area. Below is a listing of all of the shops that have made it known via social media or on websites if they’re taking part in Local Comic Shop Day. The majority of listed events appear to be along the East Bay Comics Trail with Fantastic Comics, Cape & Cowl, Flying Colors, The Escapist, Dr. Comics and Mr. Games, and Alameda Sports Cards and Comics all listing events. All we could find along the West Bay Comics Trail was an event at Mission but that doesn’t mean other shops aren’t participating. Check out our list of Bay Area comic stores if you want to call ahead or find a shop near you.
In addition to hosting creators, many of the comic shops around the Bay Area are providing Local Comic Shop Day exclusives including prints, pins, and covers. Again, check the comic store list for opening times.
Local Comic Shops Day
When: November 19
Where: Everywhere
More info: http://localcomicshopday.com/
Cape and Cowl One-Year Anniversary Party featuring
Dave Dwonch, Justin Greenwood, Ramon Villalobos, Logan Faerber, and more
When: November 19
Where: Cape and Cowl Comics
1601 Clay Street in Oakland
What: The Bay Area’s youngest comic book store will celebrate one-year on November 19. They shop has big celebration plan include rare collectible prints and pins (check out the pins at this link), a star-studded line-up of guests, and more.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/204869236591381/
Darick Robertson Signing
When: November 19
Where: Flying Colors Comics and Other Cool Stuff
What: Darick Robertson will be signing copies of Valient’s Harbinger Renegades as part of Local Comic Shop Day. Flying Colors will also carry an exclusive first issue of the Valiant title.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/152517491843185/
Matt Sheean, Simon Roy, and Malachi Ward Signing
When: November 19 at 6 p.m.
Where: Mission: Comics and Art
2250 Mission Street in San Francisco
What: Sheean, Roy, and Ward will sign copies of the recently published trade paperbacks of Ancestor and Habitat. The two titles were serialized in the Brandon Graham and Emma Rios Image project Island.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/995163667261783/
Andy Warner Signing
When: November 19 (time TBD)
Where: The Escapist Comic Shop
3090 Claremont Avenue in Berkeley
What: Andy Warner will be in-store to sign copies of Brief Histories of Everyday Objects.
More info: http://www.escapistcomics.com/
David Faroz Precht Signing
When: November 19 at 1 p.m.
Where: Dr. Comics and Mr. Games
4014 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland
What: David Faroz Precht will sign copies of his Tethered!
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1208200139254030/
Christine Villanueva, Vincent Kukua, and Nick Dragotta signings
When: November 19 at 1 p.m.
Where: Fantastic Comics
2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley
What: Christine Villanueva, Vincent Kukua, and Nick Dragotta will be signing and sketching for visitors to Fantastic
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/290445474683787/
Writers Matthew Rosenberg (4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) and Frank Barbiere (The Revisionist) will take part in a Bay Area mini-tour on July 16. They’ll make at least two stops on the West Bay Comics Trail and two stops on the East Bay Comics Trail.
At each stop, they’ll host 30-minute lighting signings.
Below is the itinerary I’ve been able to piece together by scouring Facebook event listings. I apologize if I missed any shops.
1 p.m.
Escapist Comics
3090 Claremont Avenue
Berkeley, CA
2:30 p.m.
Cape and Cowl Comics
1601 Clay Street
Oakland, CA
4:30 p.m.
Mission: Comics and Art
2250 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA
6 p.m.
Comix Experience Outpost
2381 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA
Matthew Rosenberg writes the phenomenal Black Mask Studios titles 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank and You Can Never Go Home. I don’t have a top ten current title list but if I did 4 Kids would definitely be on it. Maybe I should start a list. Let’s arbitrarily slot it in at number 3 on my new list. He’s also the writer on Civil War II: Kingpin which I didn’t know until I started writing this post but based on those other two books it’s likely one of the best things being printed by Marvel. I should go buy it.
In 2013, Frank Barbiere was kind enough to give the world the brilliant Image published title Five Ghosts. He’s also written Howling Commandos of SHIELD for Marvel, Solar: Man of the Atom for Dynamite, Lobo for DC, and many other books. Last month Barbiere dropped the first issue of his most recent creator-owned work The Revisionist on AfterShock Comics. The first issue was a thrilling ride and, much like Rosenberg’s 4 Kids, was highly praised by critics. The second issue, which hits shelves this coming Wednesday, will determine if it enters my newly established top 10.
