The time-honored tradition of free swag is coming once more to comic book shops across Southeast Texas.

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is a worldwide cultural and promotional event celebrated by thousands of comic book specialty shops on the first Saturday of May. Its aims include introducing new readers to the popular art form, showcasing a wide variety of genres from publishers and, of course, giving away free comic books.

Scott Bohler is the owner of All-Star Comics located on 3520 FM 365 in Nederland. Their FCDB event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It’s just a really fun and busy day,” Bohler said. “It could be hectic at times, but it’s always good.”

Despite the frantic schedule, Bohler said it was worth it to interact with the local community, meet new people and introduce them to comic books.

“For some people, comic books have this stigma that they’re just for kids, but that hasn’t been the case for a long time,” Bohler said. “They’re a cheap, affordable way to get many different kinds of stories.”

Bohler listed genres like superhero, crime, drama, kids and supernatural as just some of the varieties that comic books have to offer.

Out of the free comic books being given away this Saturday, Bohler said some of the titles he’s looking forward to were Secret Empire from Marvel, Betty & Veronica from Archie and Wonder Woman from DC.

“DC is gearing up for the Wonder Woman movie coming out this year,” Bohler said, before pointing out that most annual FCBD events coincide with a comic book movie coming out that same weekend.

This year’s FCBD event coincides with the opening weekend of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

In addition to the free loot being handed out, All-Star Comics will host an all-day meet and sign with comic book artist Tony Harris.

Harris is a multiple-Eisner Award-nominated artist of Starman and Ex Machina fame.

All-Star Comics will also be teaming with LifeShare Blood Drive on Saturday.

“We’ll have a donation box in the parking lot,” Bohler said. “People who give blood will get a voucher for additional merchandise in the store.”

There will be a storewide sale on top of the regular FCBD fare as well.

Kelly Lyons is the owner of Lyons Den II located on 918 South 27th Street in Nederland. Their FCBD event will run from noon to 5 p.m.

“(FCBD) allows me to purchase a bunch of books and give them out to the public,” Lyons said. “It’s a national day to promote reading and to promote the comic book community.”

Lyons described FCBD as an opportunity for the local community to get together, have some fun and read.

“This is the fifth year the Lyons Den will be hosting this great charity event and the first time to be hosting it at our Nederland store,” Lyons said. “The community is invited to get free comics, meet guest creators and the famous Lyons Den Cosplay Team.”