Free Comic Book Day is a day – the first Saturday in May each year – when comic book stores across North America and around the world give away FREE* comic books and other sundry comic-related items to anyone who comes into their stores.

This year’s FCBD occurs on May 7, with several Montreal-area shops participating in the comic book free-for-all:

–Drawn and Quarterly (211 Bernard O) will be celebrating with juice, cookies, a colouring session, and lots o’ free comics. Plus, since D+Q’s 2011 free comic is John Stanley’s Summer Fun, all books in The John Stanley Library will be on sale.

–Librairie Millenium (451 Marie Anne E) your first stop for French and French Canadian bandes dessinées.

–Komico (4954 Decarie, 2nd floor) is Montreal’s oldest comic book shop, featuring the city’s largest selection of new and used comics, trades, graphic novels, and vintage comic books.

–Cosmix (931 Decarie)

-1000 000 Comix (3868 Jean Talon E)

-Capitaine Quebec 9 (1837 Sainte-Catherine W)

– Studio 9 Bandes Dessinées (5835 Saint-Hubert)

Not in Montreal on May 7? Visit the Free Comic Book Day website for FCBD locations near you.

*Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.