The best things in life are free

There's no challenging the old adage. Truly, the best things in life are free. I submit as Exhibit A an event that occured today: Free Comic Book Day.

This annual day in which comic book shops across the country make available to customers free editions of certain mainstream and niche books is wonderful. Among the free books being handed out this year is an introductory issue of the Justice League of America, a standalone issue of Spider-Man, and even a special issue of Archie.

You can see all of the available books and learn more about the day at the Free Comic Book Day website.

Genius in its simplicity, Free Comic Book Day fosters a unique sense of community in stores across the country. It also entices people who have not yet discovered comics -- or who have long since left the comic scene -- to journey inside their local shop. It's the one day of the year when comic shops are bustling, if not bursting at the seams. Our local shop, Alliance Comics, was so crowded that navigating its two floors was somewhat challenging.

But, oh, the haul that Annie and I have to show for our trip is a glorious one! In addition to several Free Comic Book Day issues, I also grabbed a fistfull of free G.I. Joe and Transformers comics while she scooped up some Witchblade issues and several packs of free stationary. We're both looking forward now to kicking back, relaxing and enjoying a good read.

Free is good, my friends. Oh yes. Free is good.