Joe Field reports:

"There was no way I thought we'd be able to beat last year's Jim Lee/FCBD event, but I'm thrilled to say we did!

"The final numbers? We drew over 1200 on FCBD with more than 25% of that crowd being first-time visitors to the store. Another estimated 35% were ‘casual’ store visitors---they've been here before but are not regular comic book buyers. The crowd was 60/40 male to female with 75% of the crowd either below the age of 12 or over the age of 25, so only 25% were in the traditional comic-buying demographic.

"In every respect, I consider the day an unqualified success.

"Here's the tally:

"1243 happy free comic book recipients

"4 broken acrylic racks

"8 tired staff

"3 amazing artists doing sensational work (hats off to Darick Robertson, Rick Remender and--- especially--- John Heebink, who hung in there the longest)

"2 large sheet cakes

"4 gallons of punch

"120 creme-de-menthe brownies (made with love by Libby Field!)

"and more than 5000 free comics given away!

"Let's do it again---next Spring!!!!!"

See photos and more at: http://www.flyingcolorscomics.com/FCBD2004.htm