Free Comic Book Day at Packrat Comics: Who Will Find the Golden Ticket?
Free Comic Book Day is already the sweetest day of the year at Packrat Comics… but this year we decided to turn the sweetness up to Wonka levels. Imagine a day filled with free comics, costumes, creators, trivia, food, and surprises around every corner. Now imagine having the chance to win free comics for an entire year***.
That’s right—this year five lucky comic fans will have the chance to win a free comic every week for a year. With every purchase you make on Free Comic Book Day, you’ll receive an opportunity to win sweet prizes, collectible pins, trinkets, gift cards, coupons… and for a few very lucky fans, the Golden Ticket prize — free comics for a year.
Because on Free Comic Book Day at Packrat Comics, a simple trip to the comic shop might just turn into a Golden Ticket moment.
Somewhere out there, ten comic fans are about to have a very good year.
Still not sweet enough? We're gonna give you cavities with our costume contest. Not only can you enter to win our annual costume contest for gift cards to Packrat as your favorite character, now you can enter your pet for our cutest pet contest! Dress that dog up as the Hulk, your kitty as Batman, your squirrel as Captain America, or bring your gerbil without a costume! We want your pet to win!
Mark your calendars now, take a vacation day if you need to, Saturday May 2 at Packrat Comics will be the sweetest day of the year!
FREE COMICS? Yes, free comics. Each person may select up to 3 free comics from the selection of FCBD comics we purchased from the publishers. You will then be able to 'purchase' additional comics by donating non-perishable food items to our food drive. Thank you as always for your continued generosity!
This Free Comic Book Day we’re thrilled to welcome a powerhouse lineup of creators from Source Point Press. If you love independent comics, horror, fantasy, and incredible creator-owned storytelling, you’re going to want to meet this crew.
Joining us are Dirk Manning, Corinne Roberts, John Marroguin, and Tony Miello, each bringing their own unique style and stories to the Packrat Comics creator alley.
Dirk Manning - Dirk Manning is the four-time Ringo Award nominated creator of the supernatural noir graphicnovel series TALES OF MR. RHEE, the genre-bending horror anthology NIGHTMAREWORLD, and the inspirational/how-to column turned book series WRITE OR WRONG: AWRITER'S GUIDE TO CREATING COMICS. A pioneer in the world of both online comicsand crowdfunding, he has written over two dozen published graphic novels and his work hasraised over a half-million dollars in sales on Kickstarter alone. When not at his deskwriting,touring the comic convention circuit, and/or sampling his way across the best ice cream shops inthe world, Dirk can be found online at www.DirkManning.com and on most social mediaplatforms as @dirkmanning. He proudly serves as Publisher at Source Point Press and does notwear a top hat and scarf in real life.
Corinne Roberts - Corinne Roberts is an illustrator working in comics and children's booksincluding BUGBITES, DRAWING DRAGONS, and the OUT AND ABOUT series. Other illustration projectsinclude aDRAGON CALENDARseriesandtheWANDERLUST DECK.You can see more ofher work and current projectsather website www.corinneroberts.com or on her Instagram@corinneroberts123
John Marroguin is the creatorand illustrator of the graphic novel MEXICAandco-creator of KILLER COSPLAY and THE CURSE OF THE HANGMAN. He is also theillustrator of DARREN McCARTY: LIFE’S A GRIND, ENJOY MY TRUTH, and illustratedshort stories in BUTTSIN SEATS: THE TONY SCHIAVONE STORY and NIGHTMAREWORLD and is one of the two co-founders of the DRAWING BLOOD COMICS imprint.
Tony Miello is a freelance cartoonist and illustrator who has worked in the comic bookfield for over thirty years.He is the writer and co-creator of KILLER COSPLAY and THECURSE OF THE HANGMAN and the creator and illustrator of GAPOTHE CLOWN. Hehas also done artwork for clients including Topps, Upper Deck, Caliber Comics, andDynamite Entertainment,Marvel Entertainment, DCComics and LucasFilm. Tony is theone of the two co-founders of the DRAWING BLOOD COMICS imprint
Michael Watson - Michael Watson is a comic book artist, writer, creator, and proud alum of the Columbus College of Art & Design (Illustration, Class of 2004). He’s the founder of Freestyle Komics, a Columbus-based indie comic book label with over 14 titles and 40+ published issues in a shared superhero universe. Known across the industry as MostEPIC—The Most Enthusiastic Person in Comics—Michael brings unmatched energy to everything he does. That same passion powers his long-running podcast and live drawing show, Chat and Draw, where he spotlights fellow creators and their characters. With over 300 episodes and counting, Michael Watson is all about building community, celebrating creativity, and making comics EPIC. Michael Watson MostEPICart / Publisher/Founder & Lead Artist of Freestyle Komics / Host of Chat and Draw
Tom Williams - Harvey Award recipient and CCAD graduate, Tom Williams art can be found on publishers like IDW, Dark Horse, Oni & Image Comics and of course Packrat on FCBD!
Cutthroat Comics - Representing Cutthroat Comics will be owner, author, and letterer Josh Nealis. Since it's inception in 2015, Josh has written and published 13 plus books and comics under the Cutthroat Comics brand. Cutthroat Comics is based out of Findlay, Ohio and brings an offbeat attitude to the industry. Nothing is off limits and everything is fair game.
Crypt of MADness - Crypt of MADness is a MAD-mag and EC Comics focused fanzine, featuring interviews, rare artwork, and much more! They will be at Packrat Comics’ 2026 Free Comic Book Day event with back issues and special editions! Toppestpower Designs is here to bring you the finest horror comix lifestyle swag you could ever want… stickers, posters, and a lil’ bit more! (Boo!)
Squared Circle Cosplay - Squared Circle Cosplay a group of Ohio based wrestling cosplayers who band together to cosplay some of their favorite wrestlers and hopefully some of yours too! Get ready to get your picture with them and replica championship belts.
Rosanna Arcana, Sorceress Extreme is returning for an afternoon of comic and pop culture trivia. Visit her throughout the day and answer questions and win sweet treats and prizes almost as faboulus as she is. Drop by anytime for trivia questions with multiple mini triva contests scheduled at 11am, 12pm and 2pm. Final big trivia contest is at 5pm.
FOOD
The Tasty Good - The Tasty Good will be bringing their chicken finger creations to Packrat for FCBD.
COSTUME CONTEST
Free Comic Book Day Costume Contest starts at 1pm and prizes to be awarded to kids 13 & under and adults 14 & up. Packrat gift cards for first, second, and third place. This will be followed by our Sweetest Pet Costume Contest.
Don’t miss out on your chance to celebrate with us—
Let the comic adventure begin,
Because somewhere inside Packrat
A Golden Ticket might be waiting to be found.
We can’t wait to celebrate the sweetest day in comics with you at Packrat Comics.
***Golden Ticket Prize – Free Comics for a Year
The Golden Ticket winner will receive one (1) free comic book per week for fifty-two (52) consecutive weeks, with a maximum value of $5.99 per comic. The winner must visit Packrat Comics each week to redeem their comic—no stockpiling like Augustus Gloop in the chocolate river! Unused weeks do not roll over and cannot be combined.
If the selected comic exceeds $5.99, the winner may pay the difference. Prize is non-transferable, has no cash value, and must be redeemed in person during the promotional period.
Please enjoy responsibly… and remember: good things come to those who show up each week.