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CAG AT SARGES COMICS for FCBD!

FCBD Press Release

Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May for the last 7 years.  With each year, the celebration has grown to include hundreds of comic book stores all over the world.  Creators in the industry appear at these stores for the sheer enjoyment of the medium.  This year members of the New England chapter of the Comicbook Artists Guild converged on Sarge’s Comics in New London CT. 

The day at Sarge’s began at 10am.  There was a line out the door!  The crowds came in fast and furious.  A festive party atmosphere in the store quickly sparked.  Over the course of the day at Sarge’s, 13 CAG members appeared, including:

  • Keith Murphey
  • Hector Rodriguez
  • Brett Swanson
  • Bob Sodaro
  • Rusty Haller
  • Shawnti Therrien
  • Joey Gauthier
  • Everett Soares
  • Eric Lopkin
  • Albie Luciano
  • Susan Soares
  • Liam Webb
  • Randall Ensley

Observing the crowd as they walked around the 5500 sq. ft. store owned and operated by Robert Miller, one certainly knew CAG was there.  Keith, CAG president spent the entire day sketching for anyone who wanted one.  He actually had a line!  Promoting his book Hell’s Blood, Hector, Northeast Vice President gave out his infamous posters. And while the important part of the day was to give back to the community and encourage literacy, it also was very encouraging to see the crowds lending their support to the independent creators and the store itself.  Many customers walked around with copies of Am I Immortal, Sky Pirates and Power Kid in their stacks of goodies.

The purpose of Free Comic Book Day is not just for distributing free comics.  For any promotionally conscious creator, FCBD is a huge opportunity to reconnect with your fans.  Shawnti did just that during her visit to Sarge’s.  The event gave her the opportunity to talk up her upcoming Am I Immortal #2 and fans got to see Issue #3 in the making.  Experiencing Free Comic Book Day at Sarge’s, comic writer Robert J. Sodaro commented “In nearly 30 years of working in the comic book field I can honestly say that attending FCBD at Sarge’s was a truly unique experience. It was like the circus come to town on Christmas day. Appearing at Sarge’s along with my friends, colleagues, and other professionals in the field was a great way to spend the day. If you didn’t experience FCBD @ Sarge’s, you didn’t experience FCBD.”

Many who know and love Sarge’s affectionately describe it as a comic book convention any day you go.  One of the most well-known aspects of conventions is cosplaying.  Free Comic Book Day was no different.  Not only was the 501st there showing off their Star Wars regalia, but we also had Shrek, Poison Ivy, Superman, Batman, Smurfette and a myriad of other characters large and very small.  CAG’s own Everett Soares was donning his pirate gear.  It’s just another testament to the fact that there was a party going on at Sarge’s Comics.

We would like to thank Bob and the staff at Sarge’s for the day.  Their support of independent comics is motivating and heartwarming.  The event they organize for Free Comic Book Day serves as a role model to other stores and their generosity is most appreciated by the artists and the community.  And thanks for the pizza too!

FCBD Photos!


©2009 Comicbook Artists Guild. All Rights Reserved.