It's a special day

When the first Free Comic Book Day came after the opening of the first "Spider-Man" film, many comic store owners reported record-breaking sales. With the dates and the results varying since then, the industry is hoping lightning will strike again with this year's Free Comic Book Day coming tomorrow on the heels of "Spider-Man 3."

Indeed, Marvel's "Amazing Spider-Man: Swing Shift" leads the pack books that will be offered for free by comic shops.

There is also Bongo's "Bongo Comics Free-For-All!" by Matt Groening ("The Simpsons"); DC's "The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century"; Dynamite's "The Lone Ranger/New Battlestar Galactica Flip Book," which also previews other Dynamite titles; IDW's "Transformers: The Movie Prequel"; Gemstone's "Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse"; Archie's "Little Archie - The Legend of the Lost Lagoon"; Image's "The Astounding Wolf Man"; Dark Horse's "The Umbrella Academy/Zero Killer/Pantheon City"; and Tokyopop's "Tokyopop Choose Your Weapon 2007."

To find area stores participating in Free Comic Book Day, go to freecomicbookday.com. *