Kids really love comics, as evidenced by these happy faces at All About Books & Comics in Phoenix, AZ.	Heroes of all ages gathered for FCBD festivities at Lima, OH's Alter Ego.	This "Super" boy shows his appreciation (and joy) at Toronto, ON's Silver Snail Comics.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Co-Creator Peter Laird and other Mirage Studio irregulars signed at Jetpack Comics' Rochester (NH) Free Comic Book Day Festival.	An Imperial Stormtrooper checks out Dark Horse's FCBD '09 Star Wars" Clone Wars book at Victoria, BC's Curious Comics.	Jetpack was also over-run by Imperial forces (and other intergalactic baddies), courtesy of the 501st Legion - Vader's Fist.

Speaking of Darth Vader, the man in black himself descended upon 3 Alarm Comics in Biloxi, MS, bringing with him a cadre of officers and armored Troopers.	One man almost certainly capable of holding his own against a Dark Lord of the Sith, William Shatner signed for generations of fans at Los Angeles' Golden Apple Comics.	Rebels everyehere can sigh with relief - this Forceful young fan fought off an attack of Jedi Mind Tricks to defeat Darth Vader at Yancy Street Comics in New Port Richey, FL.

Three clowns (two of them quite evil-looking) were spotted at Augusta, GA's Book Exchange. No joke!	Spider-Girl (seen here at All About Books & Comics) heard about the event on the web at FreeComicBookDay.com, no doubt.	Ron Marz (Witchblade writer and the man who killed Green Lantern in 1994's "Emerald Twilight") snuggles with Katma Tui, one of the Green Lantern Corps' better-looking agents, at Albany, NY's Earthworld Comics.

Retailers everywhere reported big crowds, like these Yancy Street patrons lined up to meet favorite creators like Mike Deodato and Greg Land...	... or these fans at 3 Alarm Comics, who came out for free comics and a chance to meet Goon creator Eric Powell.	Girls just wanna have fun? Who says? They also need free comics from Phantom of the Attic to really enjoy life!

At the end of the day, everyone involved in Free Comic Book Day can take pride in making new fans smile.	Whether its a fueling a kid's love of reading or inspiring the next great storyteller, a free comic on the first Saturday in May is more than just a giveaway...	... it's an investment in the future, not only for our industry, but the generation of fans today that will become the heroes of tomorrow.