Happy #FreeComicBookDay everyone! Here’s our map of British and Irish comic shops.

Unfortunately, while the event is going ahead as planned in North America, as Bleeding Cool and others reported late last month, Diamond UK informed British and European stores that deliveries of some of their Free Comic Book Day titles were, unfortunately, going to be delayed and wouldn’t arrive by the planned date.

Some stores here have decided to delay their Free Comic Book Day a couple of weeks, until 28th August at the earliest, or stagger what gets given away.

It also should be noted that not all comic shops participate in Free Comic Book Day. Check with your nearest comic shop to find out, and what they have planned.

The official Free Comic Book Day web site has a full list of titles offered to retailers for this promotion here. They include 2000AD Presents from Rebellion and Blade Runner and Life is Strange one-shots from Titan Comics.

Titles that did make it to at least some shops included Marvel’s Avengers giveaway.

But the good news is that Small Press Day is back here today! This is an all day online event to spread joy and champion small press comics, zines, artists and shops.

Join the SmallPressDay team on Twitter with #SPDBFReview, #SPDShopLocal & #SPDRecommends. Full info here: smallpressday.co.uk

Diamond’s UK Retailer Free Comic Book Day Letter

Dear Retailer,

Due to the continuing freight and shipping problems that we been experiencing since the start of the pandemic (problems that have been exacerbated this past 6 weeks) we regret to advise that we will not be in a position to release all of this years FCBD titles prior to Saturday 14th August.

We understand that with European and Great Britain covid measures being different for each country some of you have been busy preparing for this event whilst others are still unsure of being able to run the event on 14th August.

Taking this into account we can confirm that commencing next week you will start to receive this year, titles each week and that we will aim to deliver ALL FCBD 2021 titles to you no later than Wednesday 25th August.

We anticipate that this will enable you all to make your own decision as to when to hold this year’s event.

You may wish to hold the titles until a later date that you feel maybe more appropriate. Alternatively, you may decide to hold an event on the 14th for the titles received so far (plus a follow up event on each week thereafter), or to reschedule so that your event is held on the 28th August, after you have received all the relevant product.

We understand that this isn’t ideal but given the continued weekly shipping difficulties we’re facing this is the most suitable solution that does not impact on the regular weekly shipments of new product that we continue to release to you all each week.

This article was updated to note the delay to UK Free Comic Book Day events. With thanks to Stuart Vandal and Reuben Willmott

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events

Tags: Free Comic Book Day