Jim Woodring

Saturday, May 1 is Free Comic Book Day, an annual effort to attract new readers and loyal patrons into comic shops with a free comic book. This year more than 30 new comics in a variety of genres were created to give away.

Fantagraphics Books’ contribution to Free Comic Book Day is a new comic by tortured genius Jim Woodring. The book excerpts Woodring’s forthcoming full-length Weathercraft graphic novel - his first book length story- a sprawling epic of torture, tyranny, enlightenment and amnesia featuring his depraved character Manhog.

Jim Woodring himself will be at the Fantagraphics Bookstore in Seattle on the 1st from noon to 1:00 PM to pass out complimentary copies. Plenty of other comic books available of course, both free and not-free, and it's also your last chance to see a terrific exhibition of original art by Love and Rockets creator Gilbert Hernandez.