Calling all Detroit area superheroes: Free Comic Book Day is coming up!

There aren’t a lot of truly free things available in life, but Free Comic Book Day is coming up on May 4, 2024 and you can take your kids out, get some new reading material and bond over the characters, the adventure and the joy of comics.

Free Comic Book Day is generally held the first Saturday in May each year. Comic book shops across the globe participate, giving away comic books to anyone who drops in. And yes, they are REALLY free! How great is that? Each participating shop has their own rules in place, but you will get one free comic book if you go to a participating shop.

The event is a celebration of independent comic book shops, which are a place for comic book lovers to gather, chat and share their hobby. You can find a list of participating stores here.

The first Free Comic Book Day was held in 2002 and millions of free comics have been given away since.

While Free Comic Book Day is amazing, there are a few things to know if you are a newbie. Not every comic book in a participating store is free; most stores will offer a selection of titles. Sometimes, major comic book companies publish titles specifically for this day, so keep an open mind and look for new comic books or series that your child might like. This is a great time to find a new favorite!

We’ve done our best to confirm that the following places are participating, but it’s not a bad idea to check before you head out with your kiddos. Some stores offer other activities and fun surprises for participants too, and it can be a great way to show up and show off a superhero costume and bond with your family.

For a lot of kids, visual reading materials like comic books and graphic novels can open the door to a lifelong love of reading, as well.

1. Bring Your Old Books, 48551 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, 586-731-6473

2. Liberty Comics LLC, 27639 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, 586-779-4130

3. Comix Corner, 32032 Utica Road, Fraser, 586-296-2758

4. FamilyComics LLC, 39777 Chart Street, Harrison Township, 586-260-5158

5. Romeo District Library, 65821 Van Dyke, Washington Township, 586-752-0603

6. Chesterfield Township Library, 50560 Patricia Ave., Chesterfield, 586-598-4900

7. Shelby Township Library, 52610 Van Dyke, Shelby Township, 586-739-7414

8. World of Riches & Rubies, 46886 Dequindre Road, Shelby Township, 586-726-6177

1. Comics & More, 28059 John R Rd, Madison Heights, 248-399-3213

 2. Warp 9 Comics, 21 W 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, 248-288-5699

3. Time Travelers, 3277 12 Mile Road, Berkley, 248-548-7213

4. Comic City, 7366 Haggerty Road, West Bloomfield Township, 248-592-3049

5. Comic City, 2125 S Telegraph Rd Suite D, Bloomfield Square Shopping Center, Bloomfield Township, 248-334-4139

6. GOB Retail Comics and Games, 775 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson, 248-430-4980

7. Prime Time Comics & Cards, Inc, 4 N Broadway St, Lake Orion, 248-693-1735

Wayne County Comic Book Shops

1. Nankin Hardware & Hobby, 35101 Ford Rd, Westland, 734-722-5700

2. A-Z Cards & Comics, 32647 Ford Road, Garden City, 734-425-6780

3. Big Ben’s Comix, 6711 Allen Rd, Allen Park, 313-382-0700

4. Green Brain Comics, 13936 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, 313-582-9444

5. Nine Planets Comics and Collectibles, 20702 Van Born Road, Dearborn Heights, 313-724-6482

6. Comic City, 42419 Ford Rd, Canton Corners Shopping Center, Canton, 734-981-3561

7. State of Comics, 575 Forest Ave, Plymouth, 734-392-7905