May 8 Special Event: Derek Kirk Kim & Gene Luen Yang!

SPECIAL EVENT
MAY 8 2024, 5PM-7PM
at Flying Colors Comics


Wondering what to do in the days after Free Comic Book Day?

We invite you to the first New Comic Book Day after FCBD with a Special Event featuring two fantastic talents!

Derek Kirk Kim is an award-winning writer, artist and director of comics and television. He is the creator of “The Last Mermaid” from Image Comics and the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Award-winning graphic novel, “Same Difference and Other Stories.” He garnered his second Eisner Award with “The Eternal Smile,” a collaboration with MacArthur Fellow Gene Luen Yang. In television, Kim has directed, storyboarded, and designed characters for numerous shows including Disney’s “Amphibia,” “Adventure Time,” and “Green Eggs and Ham” on Netflix. He eats chips with chopsticks.  Follow Derek on Instagram: @derekkirkkim


Gene Luen Yang is the writer and co-creator of Lunar New Year Love Story, published in 2024 by First Second. He is the the creator of American Born Chinese, the award-winning graphic novel and recent Disney+ show. He has written Avatar the Last Airbender for Dark Horse Comics, Superman for DC Comics and Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu for Marvel Comics, among so many other credits!

Artist/Animator Bobby Rubio is Flying Colors Special Guest on Free Comic Book Day!

FCBD SPECIAL GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT! 

Artist/Animator BOBBY RUBIO Scheduled to sign at Flying Colors on Saturday May 4 for Free Comic Book Day!

Bobby Rubio is a highly accomplished Animation Artist with work for Pixar, Disney, Nickelodeon and Paramount Animation. He is currently the Story Supervisor on "Transformers One" for Paramount Animation.

Among Bobby's notable projects are the Peabody-nominated animated Pixar short "Float" for which he was the Writer and Director. He served as Story Artist on "Inside Out," "Up," "Incredibles 2" and "Brave." For "Avatar the Last Airbender" at Nickelodeon, Bobby was an Assistant Director and Storyboard Artist. At Disney, Bobby was a Traditional Animator on "Treasure Planet."

 

With all of that, Bobby's first love was always comic books! His favorite comics were NEW TEEN TITANS and X-MEN. His all-time favorite artist is George Perez.

After graduating from CALARTS with a BFA in Animation, Bobby interned with Jim Lee at Wildstorm Studios. Even though he's mostly doing Animation work, Bobby still tries to keep his childhood comic book dreams alive, doing artwork for Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics and Image Comics.

Bobby has also created his own independent comics "Alcatraz High," "4 Gun Conclusion" and his latest title, "Neighborhood Legend" coming soon!
Follow Bobby Rubio on Instagram, Facebook and X!

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Free Comic Book Day is the world's largest comic book related event. The event on May 4, 2024 marks the 23rd year of this pop culture holiday. FCBD was founded by Flying Colors owner Joe Field as a way to invite everyone into the fun found every day in Local Comic Shops all over the world.

Since its start in 2002, tens of millions of comic books have been given away by more than 2000 Local Comic Shops in more than 60 countries. The yearly attendance at FCBD shops has eclipsed more than one MILLION people. 

Free Comic Book Day at Flying Colors on May 4 2024 will be the final FCBD at the original shop where the event was founded. After more than 35 years in Oak Grove Plaza,

the future for Flying Colors remains a mystery.

"We are working to find a new home in Concord for Flying Colors," said Field. "Our goal is to keep slinging comics to Concord, Contra Costa and the Cosmos, but honestly, much of this is out of our control.

We encourage everyone to keep supporting their favorite local businesses, like Flying Colors, because when you look around, it really seems that 'Mom and Pop' shops that sell merchandise are more of a rarity every day."

"We are very appreciative of all the great people who shop with us regularly...and we hope you'll be here for a truly memorable final Free Comic Book Day at Flying Colors in Oak Grove Plaza."

The Final Free Comic Book Day at the place where it all started...

 April 5, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:
Joe Field

Flying Colors Comics

joe@flyingcolorscomics.com

925-825-5410

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY AT FLYING COLORS COMICS MAY 4!

The Final Free Comic Book Day Event at its Founding Location

Free Comic Book Day Features Comics for Everyone!

 

Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff in Concord CA celebrates the biggest day in the comics, Saturday, May 4 with Free Comic Book Day. Now in its 23rd year, Free Comic Book Day is the World's Largest Comic Book related event and was founded by Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff proprietor Joe Field.

There's extra poignancy to the 2024 FCBD event at Flying Colors as it will be the last FCBD at the location where the international event was founded.

"It's really going to have all the feels," said Joe Field. "I got the inspiration for Free Comic Book Day by seeing the line next door at a Baskin-Robbins Free Scoop Night event. I thought 'What's the only thing cooler than ice cream? That's the fun found in comics for all readers!"

"We know our time here in Oak Grove is soon drawing to a close. I want to make sure to get the word out to everyone that if you've ever wanted to be a part of Free Comic Book Day at the place where it all began, May 4, 2024 is your final chance to do that."

"In years past, we've had visitors not just from Contra Costa County, the Bay Area and Northern California, but from different parts of the world, too, from Europe, Scandinavia, South America, Asia and Australia. But have no fear -- we'll still have FREE comics for everyone attending that day!"

"As for Flying Colors' legacy in Oak Grove Plaza, I'm happy to know we've been a part of the lives of so many people in this neighborhood--- generations of awesome FlyCo Faithful! We're working to continue the Flying Colors tradition of Comics & Other Cool Stuff in a new location, so we hope everything lines up to make that a reality. For now, we ask everyone to stay in touch with Flying Colors by regularly visiting the shop and via social media to get the latest info."

 

Free Comic Book Day at Flying Colors will feature dozens of new comic books with a wide range of stories and characters for readers of all ages and interests. These Free Comic Book Day special edition comics are made just for the event. Anyone who loves to read will love getting free comics on Saturday May 4.  

Founded in 2002 by Flying Colors Comics owner Joe Field, Free Comic Book Day is a way to introduce new readers to the entertainment and diversity found in contemporary comics, while also thanking long-time readers and calling back former comic book fans.

 

In addition to giving away thousands of free comic books, FCBD at Flying Colors is colorful community event with characters around every corner... it is "May the Fourth Be With You" day, too!

 

Stay in touch with Flying Colors Comics:
FlyingColorsComics.com

Facebook
X (formerly Twitter)
Instagram
Join Flying Colors Infrequent Flyer Email List!

Liam Sharp signing Wed March 6 at Flying Colors!

Please join us at Flying Colors for another fantastic New Releases Day on Wednesday March 6 at 11AM as we welcome back FlyCo Hall of Fave member and stellar artist LIAM SHARP!

Thanks to our friends at Alien Books/Valiant Comics we will have a limited number of FREE copies of X-O MANOWAR for Liam to sign for you.

Plus he'll have some good stories to share, as well as advance looks at his upcoming artwork.

Make plans to be here!

We've Got Your Cool Stuff Right Here in Flying Colors!

Free Comic Book Day is May 4 2024!

 

It feels a bit weird to say this:

Free Comic Book Day on May 4 2024 will be the last FCBD in the shop where this international event was founded. 

Please make plans to join us!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1072639757382450

Read:
"More Thoughts on Flying Colors Murky Future" HERE!

Get this Deal NOW!

 

DEAL ALERT!!

Among this week's New Releases is the BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS Gotham Nocturne Act 1 Hardcover.

Regularly priced at $29.99, you can get it this week at Flying Colors for only $19.99... or Get it FREE with a $100 pre-tax purchase!

Every week, we post of list of New Releases here:

https://flyingcolorscomics.blogspot.com/.../new-this-week...

AMULET 9: WAVERIDER signing event at Flying Colors!

Reserve your copy of AMULET 9: WAVERIDER at Flying Colors now to get Priority Access at the signing event!

Here's a very Special Event at Flying Colors Comics!

Sunday February 11 at 3PM, meet KAZU KIBUISHI, the creator/writer/artist of the phenomenally popular AMULET series. Kazu will be here soon after the release of AMULET 9: WAVERIDER,  the long-awaited conclusion to the best-selling fantasy series!

Kazu Kibuishi is the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling AMULET series. He is also the creator of Copper, a collection of his popular webcomic that features an adventuresome boy-and-dog pair. Kazu was also behind the popular anthology series, Flight and Explorer.

AMULET 9: WAVERIDER—the epic conclusion to the bestselling fantasy series more than 15 years in the making by Eisner- nominated and #1 New York Times bestselling creator Kazu Kibuishi—on February 6, 2024. With nearly 7 million copies in print and available in 21 languages, the AMULET series from Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic, is a cultural touchstone. Fans have waited (not so) patiently for more than five years for this thrilling finale to find out what will become of this beloved cast of characters led by heroic brother-sister duo, Emily and Navin Hayes.

About the AMULET Series
After tragedy strikes their family, Emily and Navin move with their mother into the old, mysterious home of their great-grandfather. On their first night in the strange house, Emily and Navin’s mom is kidnapped by a tentacled creature. Determined to rescue her, Emily and Navin are led into a world of robots, talking animals, flying ships, new friends... and enemies. Emily learns that she is a Stonekeeper and essential to the survival of this world, and that her incredible story is only just beginning.

Reserve your copy of AMULET 9: WAVERIDER at Flying Colors now to get Priority Access at the signing event!

Free Comic Book Day: May the 4th Be With You!

FREE Comic Book Day
@ Flying Colors Comics
Saturday May 4

(May the 4th be With You!)

FREE Comic Book Day is the World's Largest Comic Book Event and it was founded right here at Flying Colors!

FCBD is always lots of fun, but FCBD 2024 may be a little bittersweet, as it will be the final Free Comic Book Day at the shop were it was founded.

We hope you'll plan to be here, for the thousands of comics we'll give away for FREE, to the amazing cosplayers (maybe one of them will be you if you come in costume)... and there will be more announcements to come so stay in touch!

TELL US YOU'RE COMING TO FCBD!

Long-term Graphic Novel Best-Sellers & More Thoughts on FlyCo's Murky Future

At the start of every New Year, I take a look back to see what’s working and what’s not working in the hopes of improving our shop here. As many of you already know, 2024 will be a year of BIG changes for Flying Colors.

Our current lease expires in January 2025 and that will mean Flying Colors will not be in Concord’s Oak Grove Plaza after that. In the weeks and months ahead, we (and by ‘we’ I mean Libby and me along with our family, our FlyCo Retailing Brigade, as well as some of FlyCo Faithful) will be discussing options for the future of Flying Colors Comics.

A move to a different location will be expensive! The cost of the move for us at a time when many people our age are already well into retirement will definitely be a consideration. Your continued support of our shop is super critical at this time!

Please know it is our Top Priority to find a way to continue this business— our mini-community of Flying Colors— in another location. Our preference is to still be in Concord as I am pleased with how the City has supported small businesses here and how they’ve been good about shining the light on what Flying Colors brings to the community. Libby and I are also a proud citizens of the City of Concord, so that factors into the decision, too.

All that said, whatever happens, I hope to ease up at least a bit on the time I dedicate to Flying Colors. In March, Libby and I will have our first week-long vacation since 2019… and the last five years have seen us mostly working six days a week at 50-60 hours a week. That hasn’t left us with much time to spend with family and friends.

Also, as plans develop for the future of the shop, we want keep you informed. 

So please stay tuned to this blog and our social media accounts— Flying Colors Comics on Facebook, @FlyCoJoe on Instagram and Twitter (X). Also, please sign up for our Infrequent Flyer email newsletter. We don't send emails often, but you don't want to miss the ones we do send. 

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Now, about the Best Sellers list here:
(Click on the list to see it better)

Recently I posted Flying Colors 2023 Best Selling Comics and Graphic Novels. 

After doing that, I thought it might be eye-opening to take a longer view. So here’s a list generated from our Best Sellers since we went to a computerized inventory management and “point of sale” system. 

We went live with that system on March 1, 2012… so this list comprises our Best Selling Graphic Novels from that date until the end of 2023, almost 12 full years and many many thousands of graphic novels later.

My hope is you’ll look over the list, maybe share this post with friends and hopefully find something new to read. After all, with the amount sold at Flying Colors of each of these books, that’s a vote of confidence for just how entertaining and engaging these books are.

Peace ’n’ Comics!
And here’s to some Really Good News for FlyCo Faithful in 2024!

Joe “FlyCoJoe” Field

Flying Colors 2023 Best-Selling Comic Books & Graphic Novels

 A Tale of Two Lists!

Let's start with Flying Colors Best-Selling Comics for 2023.

To be honest, it wasn't worth doing a long detailed chart of the Top 100 or Top 50 because the list of best-selling comics at Flying Colors in 2023 was absolutely dominated by two titles--- BATMAN and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.

However, there were also welcome surprises! The two biggest sales surprises of 2023 are VOID RIVALS and TRANSFORMERS from Skybound/Hasbro.

The emergence of the Energon Universe has been nothing short of a fan favorite.

Here's a little factoid: TRANSFORMERS from Skybound is outselling the previous Transformers series (from another publisher) by a margin of 10 to 1!

And VOID RIVALS, the sneaky intro to the Energon Universe, caught a lot of fans off guard. At Flying Colors, we're thrilled that Skybound, Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, continues to inject a positive vibe into the comics world.

Don't get us wrong--- we love that long-time best-sellers like Batman and Spidey continue to thrill fans. With that, though, it's awesome to see some energy put into the comics market by another publisher.

The fact remains--- there are so many good comics from many different publishers and Flying Colors is here to get them to you!

As always, if you know there's something you just can't afford to miss, you can put in a request for us to reserve every issue of your favorite titles.

========================================================
And now, here's
Flying Colors 2023 Top-Selling Graphic Novels!

There’s really something for everyone on this Top 30!

* All-ages friendly books from worldwide best-selling cartoonist Dav Pilkey (Dog Man, Cat Kid, Capt Underpants)

* Jeff Smith is the creator of Flying Colors all-time best-selling graphic novel, BONE, and in 2023 we were thrilled to introduce lots of readers to his new epic TUKI.

* Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips continue to deliver the goods for mature readers with their graphic novels, NIGHT FEVER and Where The Body Was.

* The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novel, TMNT THE LAST RONIN, is a true fan favorite.

* The SPARKS series is continuing to make happy young readers with its superhero story about a robot dog that’s secretly controlled by two cats!

* And a very special mention goes to Thien Pham’s “Family Style: Memories of and Amercian from Vietnam.” We’re happy to see this graphic memoir get the attention it deserves and there will be awards for this very singular, entertaining and moving graphic novel. Watch out, Eisner & Harvey Awards… here comes Thien Pham!

Please take a look at this list and see it as a group of books that are thrilling and moving readers. And we hope you’ll see there’s a lot more to comics than just superheroes (we still love our heroes, too!).

As always, when you visit Flying Colors you can ask our frankly fantastic FlyCo Retailing Brigade for great suggestions!

2024 is here--- and there’s a lot to look forward to! You're invited to join us all year long!

(Click on the images for a closer view)