Free Comic Book Day is an annual day when comic-book retailers give out free single-shot issues of comics to entice new buyers. This event, an effort by the American comic book industry to help new readers into independent comic book stores, began in 2002 and is held on the first Saturday in May, in which publishers distribute specially made one-shot issues for free to commemorate the event. It is coordinated by the industry's single large distributor, Diamond Comic Distributors. Archie Comics released various Sonic the Hedgehog issues from 2007 to 2016. The contents of these specials have varied from brand new stories to reprints.
Free Comic Book Day issues
Released
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2007
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2008
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2009
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2010
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2011
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2012
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2013
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2014
- Sonic the Hedgehog Free Comic Book Day 2015
- Sonic Sampler Free Comic Book Day 2016
Canceled
Halloween ComicFest
- In 2012, Diamond Distributors created the annual Halloween ComicFest. Similar to Free Comic Book Day, Halloween ComicFest features free books, but with Halloween themes. It takes place on the Saturday and Sundays near Halloween. In 2013, the event took place on October 26 and 27.
Released
- Sonic the Hedgehog Halloween Comic Fest 2013
Trivia
- Originally, there was a FCBD 2017 issue planned, but it was replaced by another FCBD issue made to promote Archie Comics' then-upcoming Riverdale TV series.
- From 2013 to 2015, the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and Mega Man comic series would share in a flip-book matter. This was done to promote Worlds Collide and Worlds Unite.