FREE COMIC BOOK DAY at ALL STAR COMICS MELBOURNE DAY DETAILS!

So we've hyped it enough by now that most of you should be aware that it is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY Saturday the 4th of May.

After last year's massive turn out, we thought it best to put a few new features in place to help make the day run as smoothly as possible. Also if you haven't been along to a FCBD celebration in the past we hope this will give you an idea of what you can expect.

OPENING HOURS:
After last year's outing, as much as the day is about kids and introducing younger readers into the world of comics, we found that the hectic nature of the day wasn't always perfectly suited to younger fans and for some was somewhat overwhelming. So to help with this we thought we'd introduce the:

FAMILY ONLY FIRST HOUR: 9AM-10AM
So the idea is families with kids under 12, will get the chance to get in early while the store is still somewhat more relaxed. Hopefully this we will make younger fans more comfortable, while parents can also grab some free books for themselves without needing to wait in line for ages. This also gives us the chance to get out from behind the counter and take a few more photos with folks if they are after them!

REGULAR TRADING HOURS: 10AM-5PM
After the Family Only First Hour, the store will be open for regular trading to the general public 10am-5pm.

At this time we will have representatives downstairs to let a limited amount of people into the store at once as a way to control the crowds so it makes for an easier browsing experience. This might create a bit more of a line outside the store but we feel that with Artists Alley outside this year and more efficient in store service of both the free comics and regular purchases, we hope you wont be waiting too long.

FREE COMIC BOOK STOCK AND STORE LAYOUT:
So again in an attempt to make the day run a little smoother we thought this year along with the all ages and mature reads table at the front of the store, we would introduce a second table positioned at the back of the store (next to the glass cabinets) that will host the KIDS ONLY SELECTION.

The idea here is again to make it as easy as possible for people that might be coming in especially with kids and are not wanting to wait around in line for too long.

The Kids Only Selection will have the following on titles on offer:

The All Star Kids Only Showbag (limit of one per family with kids under 12) which contains these 19 TITLES!
ATOMIC ROBO
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE HULK AND THE AGENTS OF SMASH
BONGO:SIMPSONS
DC NATION SAMPLER
MOUSE GUARD/RUST
SESAME STREET/STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
SMURFS
TMNT ANIMATED
ADVENTURE TIME
BATMAN ADVENTURES
COWBOY HOLLOWS
DONALD DUCK
ERNEST AND REBECCA
FRAGGLE ROCK
MARVEL ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN/AVENGERS
NEW CRUSADERS
SNARKED
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE
TRICKY TREATERS

Other Kids Picks titles available are:
CAPSTONE PRESENTS
DISNEY FAIRIES
FINDING GOSSAMYR
IT'S AN UGLY DOLL
KABOOM: ADVENTURE TIME/REGULAR SHOW
PIPPI LONGSTOCKING
SCRATCH
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG/MEGAMAN
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
TOP SHELF KIDS
LITTLE MISS
MOLLY DANGER
SCARY GODMOTHER
SMURFS HALLOWEEN

Since we only have a limited number of the showbags, it will only be available to families that come in on the day with kids under 12 with a limit of one showbag per family. Both kids and adults can choose a few of titles from the second list of Kids Picks as well.

The all ages and mature table will have these titles to choose from:
2000 AD SPECIAL
ABSOLUTION
ACTION TIME BUDDIES
APHRODITE IX
ATOMIC ROBO
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE HULK AND THE AGENTS OF SMASH
BLEEDING COOL 
BONGO SIMPSONS
BUCK ROGERS
DAMSELS
DC NATION SAMPLER
DARK HORSE: MASS EFFECT/ KILLJOYS
DARK HORSE: STAR WARS/ AVATAR
DRAGONBALL
ENDANGERED WEAPON B
FUBUR
GRIMM
HARBINGER WAR
MARVEL: INFINITY
JUDGE DREDD
KABOOM: ADVENTURE TIME/REGULAR SHOW
KELLERMAN L'AMOUR
MARBLE SEASON
MOUSE GUARD/RUST
NFL RUSH ZONE
OVERSTREET PRICE GUIDE
PRINCE VALIANT
RAMAYAN
CROGGAN RATED FREE
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG/MEGAMAN
SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
STAN LEE CHAKRA
STEAM ENGINES OF OZ
STRANGERS
DC: SUPERMAN SPECIAL EDITION
THE RED TEN
SMURFS
THE TICK
TMNT ANIMATED
VALIANT MASTERS
WALKING DEAD
WORLD OF ARCHIE
WORLD OF ASPEN
ARCHIE LAUGH
AXE COP
BATMAN ADVENTURES
DARK AXIS #1, #2, #3, #4
EC TALES FROM THE CRYPT
FF #5
GHOSTBUSTERS
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #19
MARVEL SEASON ONE
MARVEL ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN/AVENGERS
SNARKED
SPAVEHAWK
TMNT ONGOING
ZOMBIE KID

The selection is great and the titles that don't have a link are ones we have added to the list. Stock levels permitting, we hope to give everyone at least the choice of 6 to 7 titles.

We strongly recommend that you have an idea of what titles you want to pick up on the day. Click the links, see what you like and write a list. Doing this we help cut down on your time in line and give you more time to look around the store and get a sketch from one of the artists we will be hosting on the day.

Speaking of, this year, the All Star Free Comic book day Artists Alley will for the first time be outside the store, you can find out more information on who will be with us here. The artists will be on the Lonsdale street end of Hardware Street just down from the store from 10am to 5pm. In the spirit of the day, please try and collect only one sketch per person, especially during the busy periods. If you have any questions on the day we will have a number of store representatives on Hardware Street to answer any questions you have.

Store representatives will be recognisable on the day as anyone sporting one of these lanyards and they will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Anyone wishing to enter the costume competition please seek out our in store photographer and attempt to get a photo in front of the elevator using it as a backdrop. Please find further details of the contest here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the store, please be aware that there will likely be some lining up outside at certain points of the day either while waiting to get into the store or waiting for a sketch. Please keep in mind that this is Melbourne and cover is limited so we recommend unbrellas just in case, we'll keep our fingers crossed for sunshine. If there are any customers who have special needs, please contact the store before hand and we will do our best to accommodate you as best we can.

Most important of all, HAVE AN AWESOME FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!!