Holy shit.

Yes - that’s how we’re starting this off.

TEN YEARS! We still can’t believe it. Feels like yesterday.

We wrote a loooooong post about what makes us different from the “other shops” around but that’s not the point of this. It never was. The point is we opened our doors 10 years ago and didn’t think we’d make 6 months and now, 10 YEARS LATER, we’re still here!

And it’s all because of YOU!

So to say “thank you” and “we love you” we’re having a massive blow out sale of almost everything in the shop:

• 50% off back issues

• 50% off used graphic novels

• 50% off comic mystery packs

• 20% off statues

• 20% off Funkos

• 20% off action figures

• 20% off new/current graphic novels

• 20% off novelty items

• 20% off select Magic the Gathering sets

Please note: anything on hold prior to the event, in pull boxes or previously reserved before July 13, 2024 are NOT eligible for discounts. Fully stamped reward cards also cannot be combined with discounts.

So come down and hang out with us - like you always do - but let’s celebrate together like a community and toast to 10 more years of comics, collectibles, art and dissent from the norm!

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year - FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

And we’re pulling out all the stops this year with not one but TWO amazing local food vendors and TWO extremely talented local artists, ONE MASSIVE SALE, give-a-ways, your favorite cosplayers & characters and a few surprises!

With over 40 different titles from almost a dozen or more different publishers to choose from, the free comics are by far the most attractive part of the day. Come by early to grab some of your favorites or take the opportunity to try out a new title or publisher that you’ve been meaning to dive into! That’s what the day is REALLY about - trying new things and embracing what you love! Check out some of the awesome comics that will be available:

Next up - the SALE!

We’re offering - for ONE DAY ONLY - 20% OFF EVERYTHING in the store like:

• Graphic novels

• Toys

• Statues

• Novelty items

• Select wall books and minor keys

• Comic sets

• Funko POPs

• and more!

Items NOT included in the sale are the following items:

• New comics

• Dollar comics

• Supplies

• Cards

• Artwork by local artists

We are also offering ALL BIN BACK ISSUES at 50% OFF! If it’s in a bag & board and sits in our bins, it’s 50% off! It’s that simple!

Please note: anything on hold prior to FCBD, in pull boxes or previously reserved before May 6, 2023 are NOT eligible for FCBD discounts. Fully stamped reward cards also cannot be combined with FCBD discounts.

Hmm. What’s a good pairing with a really good read? Delicious food!

East Side Mags is proud to welcome back Notorious BBQ! Montclair’s #1 BBQ-maestro will be here with deliciousness like you’ve only seen on Food Network! David will be here starting at 12pm and will have the smokey goodness on hand until he sells out! If you’re not following Notorious BBQ on Instagram then you don’t know about the monthly pick ups - and you should! Make sure you follow and keep up with David and crew!

But what’s savory without sweet to follow! That’s where we’re proud to bring you: A Butter Life! Jenny is true perfection in her craft. This year’s theme is Cookies, Comics & the Force - Star Wars inspired cookies based on various Star Wars characters (4-5 kinds) and fan-favorite Batarang cookies! Each cookie will be individually wrapped or in a sampler box, available for purchase directly from Jenny herself! The sugary deliciousness will be here from 10am-2pm.

And what would Free Comic Book Day be without beautiful art from local artists? Local legends and up-and-coming artists Paul Belliveau (10am-2pm) and Ava Schrager (3pm-7pm) are going to be here sketching for customers on blank cover comics and more! Got a favorite character? Or maybe an idea of a mash-up like Winnie the Pooh crossed over with Spawn? Or a motorcycle-riding Ariel the Little Mermaid? Or how about a group of 6 or 7 chipmunks all fighting it out with lightsabers? Just talk to Ava and Paul! They’ll make it work and, most importantly, they’ll make it look SPECTACULAR on a blank cover comic!

And stick around because we’ve got give-a-ways for kids like stickers, lollipops and more. We’ll have exclusive FCBD stuff like Funko POP Vinyl X-Men #1 Comic Covers featuring Gambit, Spider-Man 2099 tin lunchboxes, Deadpool fleece blankets, Doop and Sentinel plushes and the highly-coveted Invincible Omni-Man vs Invincible Funko POP Moment figure. We’ll also have dozens of cosplayers throughout the day and you can see the likes of who have shown up in the past! This year is expected to be no different and you’ll never know (or guess) who’ll pop their heads in!

The fun starts at 9am and goes until 7pm so come hang out with us and let’s party like it’s 2024!

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year - FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

And we’re pulling out all the stops this year with not one but TWO amazing local food vendors and an extremely talented local artist, a MASSIVE sale, give-a-ways, your favorite cosplayers & characters and a few surprises!

With over 40 different titles from almost a dozen or more different publishers to choose from, the free comics are by far the most attractive part of the day. Come by early to grab some of your favorites or take the opportunity to try out a new title or publisher that you’ve been meaning to dive into! That’s what the day is REALLY about - trying new things and embracing what you love! Check out some of these awesome comics that will be available:

Next up - the SALE!

We’re offering - for ONE DAY ONLY - 20% OFF EVERYTHING in the store like:

• Graphic novels

• Toys

• Statues

• Novelty items

• Select wall books and minor keys

• Comic sets

• Funko POPs

• and more!

Items NOT included in the sale are the following items:

• New comics

• Dollar comics

• Supplies

• Cards

• Artwork by local artists

We are also offering ALL BIN BACK ISSUES at 50% OFF! If it’s in a bag & board and sits in our bins, it’s 50% off! It’s that simple!

Please note: anything on hold prior to FCBD, in pull boxes or previously reserved before May 6, 2023 are NOT eligible for FCBD discounts. Fully stamped reward cards also cannot be combined with FCBD discounts.

Hmm. What’s a good pairing with a really good read? Delicious food!

East Side Mags is proud to welcome back The Beastro! After all the wild, rave reviews from last year, we wanted you to know we HEAR YOU! We SEE YOU! And you’re right - The Beastro is the best private chef/caterer this side of the Hudson and he’s back with delicious East Side Tacos from the other side of Cinco de Mayo! Come by and try out his delectable shells filled with a variety of savory goodness!

But what’s savory without sweet to follow! That’s where we’re proud to bring you: A Butter Life! Jenny is true perfection in her craft. Cookies, scones, rice crispies treats and more - Jenny is bringing out all the stops to show you what a sweet-tooth really needs.

And what would Free Comic Book Day be without beautiful art! And geez - do we have something special for all of you! Local legend and up-and-coming artist Paul Belliveau is going to be here sketching for customers on blank cover comics and more! Got a favorite character? Or maybe an idea of a mash-up like Winnie the Pooh crossed over with Spawn? Or a motorcycle-riding Ariel the Little Mermaid? Or how about a group of 6 or 7 chipmunks all fighting it out with lightsabers? Just talk to Paul! He’ll make it work and, most importantly, he’ll make it look SPECTACULAR on paper!

And stick around because we’ve got give-a-ways for kids like stickers, lollipops and more. We’ll have exclusive FCBD stuff like the sought-after Etrigan FCBD Exclusive POP Vinyl (regular or blacklight chase; limited quantities; while supplies last). Spider-Man himself will be here and he’ll be bringing some of his web-tastic comic book friends with him throughout the day (who knows who you’ll see? pics from previous years below) and we’ve got some surprises too!

The fun starts at 9am and goes until 7pm so come hang out with us and let’s party like it’s 2023!

The holiday shopping season is officially upon us so why not check off a whole bunch of shopping list items with Montclair’s #1 small business!

It’s one of our biggest sales of the year and we’ve got a ton of fan-favorite items for sale including:

20% off trade paperbacks and hardcovers (great for new readers)

20% off action figures & toys including Marvel Select, Funko, DC Multiverse, NECA, Mezco, and more

50% off bin back issues (great for stocking stuffers or new readers)

50% off tagged wall books / minor keys (great for filling collection gaps or new collectors)

50% off statues / glass case items including Sideshow, Gentle Giant, etc.

Don’t forget to check out our awesome assortment of art and prints from local artists! With one gift you can support a local business AND a local artist!

We’re also offering 50% EXTRA REWARDS on all purchases ALL DAY! So spend $40 (normally 4 stamps) and get 6 stamps! Or spend $100 (normally 10 stamps) and get 15 stamps!!!

Also - spend $100 or more, get a FREE East Side Mags t-shirt ($18 value *) or spend $150 or more and get a FREE East Side Mags Hoodie ($38 value *) or spend $200 or more and get a COMBO East Side Mags t-shirt & hoodie PLUS a Guerrilla Batman t-shirt OR Zombie Walk t-shirt (whew - $70 value *)

*limited sizes and colors available, while supplies last

But this isn’t the Wild Wild West! We’ve got some “rules”:

• Items already on hold or in pull boxes are not eligible for discounts or additional discounts

• Store credit and/or fully stamped reward cards cannot be used on sale items

• Items already discounted are not included in the sale

• Some items not included are dollar comics, cards, supplies, buttons, keychains, artwork and consignment items

• Have fun!

Can’t wait to see everyone!

UPDATE (4/28/16):  The Nerds in Hell podcast will be joining us in the madness that will be Free Comic Book Day - interviewing customers, talking about comics, movies, TV, Pop Culture and probably themselves!  Make sure you say hi to Mauro and Jeff!

UPDATE (4/29/16):  We've got JOE TEA for FCBD! JOE TEA of Montclair, NJ!  Is anyone else as excited as we are?

UPDATE (5/4/15):  Check out the pics below for some of the raffle prizes we'll have for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!  Who's excited?

It's that time of year again!  FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IS HERE AGAIN!

We're opening up our doors an extra hour early - 9AM!

Strap in because East Side Mags has a TON of great attractions:

Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas will be here signing copies of Judge Dredd #1 and Amazing Forest #1 from 12pm-5pm!

Einhorn's Epic Cookies will be here with cookies for sale with FREE SAMPLES and LEMONADE!

The Keiki Explorers Club Summer Camp will be here with awesome info on their summer program - perfect if you're looking for a fun-filled summer camp for kids!

DK Publishing and LEGO are providing the prizes for our annual costume contest!  Grand Prize for the contest is (1) copy of the DK/Marvel Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger book and one LEGO Gift Card (total prize package valued at approximately $50)!

East Side Mags, along with Einhorn's Epic Cookies and Keiki Explorers, will be raffling off a variety of prizes including but not limited to: T-shirts, comic sets, graphic novels, toys and more with the GRAND PRIZE being a FREE 1-WEEK EXPERIENCE with Keiki Explorers Club Summer Camp!

What would FCBD be without a sale?   GET 20% OFF almost everything in the store (except new comics, dollar comics, supplies and select wall books) and we'll have dollar comic boxes and sale boxes as well! (Sale CANNOT be combined with fully stamped reward cards or any other offer.)

As a special treat for our customers, we'll also have a special offer - SPEND $100 or more and get (5) extra reward stamps ($50 value)!

Oh yeah, AND FREE COMICS!!!

Get here early because the festivities start early!

Here's some footage from NJ-12 who did a report on our FCBD activities last year!

And here's our promo for FCBD made by our good friend - Binh Nguyen!