Free Comic Book Day - May 4, 2002. The comic book industry's leading publishers have united with over 2,000 comic book shops to present Free Comic Book Day, to help celebrate and raise awareness of this American-born art form. A free copy of any one of the industrys most popular titles, from publishers such as Dark Horse, DC Comics, Image and Marvel, will be available in participating comic book specialty shops on May 4, 2002. The worldwide giveaway will occur just one day after Sony's North American release of SPIDER-MAN and less the two weeks before the premiere of STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES. As part of the promotion, Marvel Comics will publish a free issue of its ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN comic, DC will offer the first issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES (based on the Cartoon Network series), Dark Horse will contribute a brand new story that ties into the upcoming STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES and Image will publish the origins of LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER. In addition, dozens of other comic book publishers will be contributing free titles, covering the entire spectrum of genres and styles, from ARCHIE to THE MATRIX. Nearly 2 million comics will be available during the one-day event. The official Website is www.freecomicbookday.com, which contains features on the history of comic books in America, a complete list of available free titles and a search function to help readers find a participating store near them.
