How To Get Free Comic Books This Halloween

If you thought that getting free stuff on Halloween was only for trick-or-treaters, think again. You don't even have to wear a costume to get free comic books this year (although it's decidedly more fun if you do). This October 29th will mark the fifth year of Halloween ComicFest, and this year they'll be giving away more than two million free comics. All you have to do is show up.

You may have heard of Free Comic Book Day in May, when you can pick up issues of your favorite comics for free at your local comic book shop. Well, the same team is behind Halloween ComicFest, with over 1,900 comic book shops hosting a giveaway on Saturday, October 29th. Stores will be giving away 32 different free comics, including both full-size issues and adorable mini-comics, with stories for all ages and plenty of creepy content for Halloween purists. You can find out which comic book stores near you to visit on the Halloween ComicFest website. You'll also be able to buy extra packs of mini-comics, to hand out to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night (guaranteed to cause fewer cavities than real candy).

On top of all of that free swag, local stores will be hosting their own artist signings, appearances by comic book characters, family-friendly games, and costume contests. You can also enter The Greatest Halloween Contest Ever on the Halloween ComicFest website, where you can win up to $500 in a comic book shopping spree (on second thought, please don't enter because I want to win).

If you need more convincing, just check out some of the incredible free comics to be given away this year:

No matter what your comic book taste, Halloween ComicFest has got you covered. Want to see Archie and the Rivderdale gang fight some zombies? Try Afterlife with Archie: Season 2, a sequel to the brilliant Afterlife with Archie (no major spoilers, but it's possibly the only place to read about zombie Jughead). More of a superhero fan? There's Marvel's Spidey #1 and a choose-your-own-adventure version of Unbeattable Squirrelgirl from author Ryan North. Plus, there's DC Comics' Superhero Girls #1, with all of DC's most formidable heroines as adorable, super-powered high schoolers.

If you're not so much into the Big Two, you can check out kid-friendly books like My Little Pony: The Haunted Dungeon, and truly horrifying adult reads like Harrow County #1 from Dark Horse Comics, or the outrageous Evil Dead 2: Beyond Dead By Dawn. You can also get your hands on a free copy of Junji Ito's Tomie. Yes, that Junji Ito, master of manga horror (if you don't know who he is... just don't read his books with the lights out).

And those are just a few of the full-sized comics. You'll also be getting a bundle of free mini-comics, to hand out to the kiddies on Halloween, or to keep for yourself because they're so darn cute and collectible (it's your life, man, do what you want). Mini-comics include Archie's Mad House, Mickey's Inferno, Pokemon Pocket Comics, and Grumpy Cat Halloween Special. Yes, that Grumpy Cat.

Look at him. All grumpy and about to kill people. You're not going to find a selection like this anywhere else—especially not for free. So make sure to stop by your local comic book shop on October 29th for a perfect kick off to your Halloweekend.

Images: Courtesy of Halloween ComicFest