CLEVELAND, Ohio - Traditionally taking place the first Saturday in May, Free Comic Book Day returns this weekend on May 4. Comic book shops and other participating stores and venues will be offering special free comics, sales and other events throughout the day. This year happens to coincide with Star Wars Day and several of the locations listed below will have activities taking place to honor both events.
Check out our list of more than 20 locations in Northeast Ohio that are participating in the promotion this year. Please note some shops may have additional restrictions on books early in the day and some locations do not carry every title available on Free Comic Book Day 2024.
Cleveland and western suburbs
Carol and John’s Comics Book Shop
17462 Lorain Ave, Cleveland. 216-252-0606
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Each purchase in the shop will also receive a free promotional poster honoring old Marvel Star Wars comics. Designer Jameson Campbell will be signing copies of the print from 10 a.m. until noon. Back issues in the shop will be on sale 50% off all day.
Please note: The Free Comic Book Room will be moving to a new spot this year (17480 Lorain Ave.), only 50 feet from the shop.
Twenty artists and vendors will be selling artwork and products throughout the day in the Free Comic Book Room. In addition, watch live as The Rust Belt Monster Collective creates a mural also featuring a theme of early-Marvel Star Wars. Bluey will also be available to pose for pictures. Each guest may pick out 12 books from the 48 titles being offered.
5214 Detroit Rd, Sheffield; 440-695-8401
11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Offering the full selection of Free Comic Book Day books from Marvel, DC, and the major independent publishers. We will also be joined by fan and shop favorite, Rick Lozano, co-creator of “American Knight” and the graphic designer for NEO ComicCon. Rick will do sketches and take commissions. Additionally, this year (weather permitting), there will be a sidewalk sale with over 100 boxes of $1 comics.
15139 Pearl Rd, Strongsville; 440-572-9599
11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
20% off trade paperbacks and graphic novels; Limit of 5 free books per guest.
394 Broad St, Elyria; 440-323-2000
11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Local artist Al Sharp will be doing free sketches. Artist Richard Hooper will be doing free caricatures as well. Free books will be available while supplies last. Limit of 3 books per guest.
103 Front St, Berea; 440-239-7777
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
In addition to free comics, there will also be a sale of comic-related items throughout the store including action figures, graphic novels, posters and more.
5853 Ridge Rd, Parma; 440-845-7040
11:00 a.m. - 6 p.m.
All back issues originally priced at $3 or less will only be $1. Trades and hard covers will be 20% and the store will also have themed baskets that will be raffled off. Local artist Jason Dunbar will also be at the store selling his original artwork. 3 free titles per guest, while supplies last.
13361 Madison Ave, Lakewood; 216-712-6231
11 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday; special hours Friday night (see details below)
Festivities begin Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at Bottlehouse Lakewood. Superscript will host Enthusiast Trivia starting at 9 p.m. The evening concludes with a midnight opening at Superscript (until 2 a.m.) featuring over 40 free books to choose from. Limit of 8 books per guest.
The shop will then reopen at 11 a.m. Saturday with more activities throughout the day. There will also be a sale on back issues, graphic novels and more.
Superscript, Lakewood Art Supply, Lemon Seeds Music and Magically Found will be hosting local comic creators and artists from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday.
All purchases made at Superscript Tuesday through Saturday will enter guests in a raffle for a chance at comics, games and baskets from local businesses. Drawings will be held at the store throughout the day Saturday starting at 2 p.m.
Eastern suburbs
48474 Robinhood Dr, Willoughby; 440-942-6960
Noon - 6 p.m.
Free comics available for all guests. Back issues will be on sale 30% off throughout the day and various cosplayers will be visiting as well.
7850 Mentor Ave, Suite 1054, Mentor; 440-255-4242
Doors at 11 a.m.
Free books will be available while supplies last. The following local guests will be stopping by as well: Chris Lambert, Paul Ferris, McKenna Nalow, Scott Wilson, Jason Bascom and Anna Kopp.
23 W Main St, Geneva; 440-415-1228
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
A slate of free comics will be available. Please contact the store for additional details.
29135 Euclid Ave, Wickliffe; 440-278-4007
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
All trade paperbacks, toys, action figures and statues will all be 20% off. Limit of 8 free books per guest and only 1 copy of any individual title.
Akron/Canton and southern suburbs
2215 6th St SW, Canton; 330-453-3996
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Multiple sales and specials taking place all day including select $1 back issues, $2 posters, 25% off action figures, statues and toys, 50% of hardcovers and trade paperbacks and more.
Guest artists include Darryl Banks, Brandon Franklin and Landon Franklin who will be doing sketches and signings.
Comics, Cards and Collectibles
724 Cleveland Ave SW, Canton; 330-456-8907
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Over 40,000 back issues are on sale for $1 each. Select action figures, DVDs, trade paperbacks, posters, graphic novels and many other items in the store will also be on sale. Limit 3 free books per guest.
1664 N Main St, North Canton; 330-244-9988
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Storewide sale all day. Guest artist Rodney Fike will be in-store. Limit 5 books per guest.
2609 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls; 330-929-1929
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
A storewide sale will be taking place throughout the day. Early guests may see a limit of 8 books depending on demand. Additional businesses in the plaza will also be offering FCBD deals to guests.
1703 E. Main St, Kent; 330-474-7049
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Each guest may help themselves to one copy of each book on the FCBD tables. In addition, the store will be running its third annual back-issue sale. All back issues will be on sale 20% off.
1020 Kenmore Blvd, Akron; 330-745-5530
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Five free comics per guest. Customers who make a purchase may select an additional five books. The store will also be having a big sale on back issues of comics.
528 W. Tuscarawas Ave, Barberton; 330-575-5579
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sale with discounts on comics throughout the day. Local artists Twan Amato and Chris Kasmar will be at the store signing books and doing sketches.
74 E. Mill St, Akron; 330-548-5992
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
In addition to free comics, special sales will be taking place throughout the day. Contact the store for more details.
342 E. Smith Road, Medina; 330-662-4272
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
All comics-related, Star Wars and superhero merchandise is discounted 15% (LEGO excluded).
Meet Tony Isabella, creator of Black Lightning and enjoy food from the E.O.D. food truck. The Infinity Gauntlet and Infinity Stones will be hidden throughout the store. Snap photos of them to win a prize. All guests can choose five free books from the more than 30 available.
137 Cherry St E, Canal Fulton; 330-854-1700
Store open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Featuring a street fair atmosphere, the day includes face paintings, live DJ, Feel Good BBQ food truck, custom pop culture apparel from Meanwhile... The Toy Place, cosplayers, raffles, thousands of free comics & much more. Outdoor festivities run 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Special guests for the day include Philbee the Clown, Pop Artist Ed Griffie, Shana Schottenstein and Randel from Shottsy Arts, and Ohio Championship Wrestler “No Shame” Jimmy Shane. Saturday is also the final day of the store’s annual Spring Super Sale with 20% off nearly every toy and collectible in the store, and 30% off Funko Pops and regular back issue comic books. Limit of 10 free comics per person while supplies last.
Additional Free Comic Book Day coverage
Rocky River Public Library will be offering free books (while supplies last) and will have crafting and other activities taking place. Library hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Westlake’s Porter Library will also be taking part in the day’s festivities, offering free books to patrons (while supplies last). Guests will have the chance to make their own comic book and learn how to make stickers (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.). A member of the Ohio Star Wars Costume Legions will be on site from 1-3 p.m. for selfies and cartoon and comic creations by local artist Mel Maurer will be on display all day. Library hours are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Multiple branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library will also be offering free books while supplies last including the Parma-Snow (9 a.m. -5:30 p.m.), Parma-Powers (9 a.m. -5:30 p.m.) and Brooklyn (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) locations. The Brooklyn location will also feature costumed characters and R2-D2 for photos.
Is your store missing from our list? Please e-mail mrose@cleveland.com with your store info and event details.
1/26
Check out our gallery of photos from Free Comic Book Day 2022.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
