Free stuff is almost always awesome (exceptions: Whoppers candy on Halloween, most Chick tracts, VD).

If you’ve ever wanted to start reading comics (or get great art and stories for free), Free Comic Book Day (Saturday 3) is the day to start. Contrary to admittedly-humorous portrayals in movies and TV, comic book retailers are some of the nicest capitalists around. Free Comic Book Day is their way of introducing new readers to comics in a relaxed, everyone’s-a-newbie atmosphere. As we’re heading into a particularly comic-derived summer movie season, I’m expecting that stores will be extra-crowded this year. (You can read what local comics purveyors are looking forward to here in "Heroes and Zeros" from this week’s TOC.)

Here’s a primer on the day, and a round-up of what’s going down at some local stores.

Here’s how it works:

The first Saturday in May, most comics stores offer free comic giveaways. Usually, there’s a limit on the number of titles per person and certain comics are available at multiple stores (a list is available here) with each individual store running its own specials. Here’s what some local stores are doing (feel free to drop notes in the comments about anyone we missed).

Brainstorm Comics (1648 W North Ave, 773-384-8721)
Five free comics per person, other free items are negotiable. In addition to the above giveaways, Brainstorm has an extensive list of additional discounts that you can find at their MySpace blog. Brainstorm will also be giving away 25-cent comics for free, and have Blade Runner, Iron Man, Hulk, and Chronicles of Narnia posters and calendars to pass out. Most of the Saturday specials are already in effect. According to Robert Kimmons, co-owner of Brainstorm, "Last year we had 300 people here within the first three hours, and I’m expecting a big increase. More people know about us this year." Opens at 12:30pm.

Challenger Comics (1845 N Western Ave, 773-278-0155)
Depending on demand, Challenger will be giving away 5-10 comics per person. DC artists Art Baltazar and Franco (Tiny Titans) will be doing in-store signings from 12-3pm. Local band Ginchy will be playing before and after the signing. They’ll also have a graffiti wall where people can write whatever they want within a 4 x 8 inch spot (mind the children and keep it clean, yo). They’ll also have limited numbers of other swag like Green Lantern rings, Speed Racer buttons and other assorted stickers. Opens 11am.

Chicago Comic Vault (1530 West Montrose Ave, 773-728-2001)
In-store appearance from 1pm to 4pm by Jim Terry, creator and artist of Lie Down Low. All back issues will be $1, all statues, t-shirts and variant covers will be 50% off. They will also be selling tickets to a sneak preview of Batman: Dark Knight at the IMAX Theater at Navy Pier. Opens 11am.

Chicago Comics (3244 N Clark St, 773-528-1983)
Eight to ten free comics per person, including those listed on the FCBD site, and some leftovers from last year. CC will have signings from 12-4pm with the following comics artists: Christian Slade (Korgie), and Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy, Unlikely, AEIOU, Be A Man, Bighead, I Am Going To Be Small, Minisulk, and Every Girl is the End of the World For Me). Brown will be releasing an exclusive comic just for the signing. (Title TBA). Opens 11am.

Dark Tower Comics (4835 N Western Ave, 773-733-4026)
Giveaways of the FCBD titles, plus all merchandise, aside from new comics, will be on sale, up to 50 percent off. They’ll also be giving away free action figures and other goodies. Opens at 12pm.

Graham Cracker Comics (77 E Madison St, 312-629-1810 and 2562 N Clark St, 773-665-2010)
Both locations will give away three free comics per person, one free item per person on other giveaways. The downtown location will be geared towards the younger comic book crowd, with free face-painting and candy. Expect employees in costume, and a super-stocked selection of free comics (if they start running low, all 50-cent comics will be free). The Lincoln Park location will have Star Wars and Hulk action figure giveaways, as well as a collection of other overstock figures and comics. Opens at 11am.

Vigilante Press (1931 W Chicago Ave, 312-423-6774)
Three free comics per person (though they might be willing to bend the rules at the end of the day). All the titles on the FCBD site will be available. In addition, they’re featuring 20% off on back issues, and 25 cent comics from the kids bin. Opens 12pm. 

Abstaining this year is Variety Comics (4602 N. Western Avenue, 773-334-2550). According to the gent on the phone, they get the same people every year looking for the same books so they opted out.

Jackie Olson, Intern Extraordinaire, provided invaluable research for this post.