If you like free stuff and want the chance to start (or add to) a comic book collection, you can do so for zero cost on Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book Day is held the first Saturday in May, which puts us at May 3.

The first Free Comic Book Day was held back in 2002, when comic book shop owner Joe Field was looking for a way to promote local comic book stores and draw in new readers. Field, the owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, California, proposed the idea to Diamond Comic Distributors in 2001, and the rest is history.

Millions of comics have been given away on Free Comic Book Day since it first began, and the day seems to grow in popularity each year. If you’re itching to pick up some free comics, find a comic book store that is participating in the special day near you here.

3 days until @FreeComicBook Day! Help spread the word by changing your picture to the #fcbd logo or attached picture! http://t.co/vGVd2WPKOd

— Free Comic Book Day (@Freecomicbook) April 30, 2014

According to the Free Comic Book Day website, there is something pretty important that you should know if you have never participated in the day before. You can’t just walk into any place that sells comic books on Saturday and pick up whatever you want. That should go without saying, but if you get caught trying to take off with an armful of rare comics without paying, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Each comic book store will have a selection of free comic books you can choose from. This selection may include older, worn comics or specially printed editions of comics that were purchased specifically for Free Comic Book Day. Each customer will receive at least one free comic (as long as supplies last), and may be able to get more than one free comic depending on the store’s policy. It’s best to use the store locator linked above and call in advance to get the details (including asking how early you need to get there, as some stores have lines forming well before opening).

Do you plan to head out to your local comic book store on Saturday? As you can see below, quite a few people are getting excited for Free Comic Book Day.

This Saturday is FREE comic book day! Where you can get tons of comics for FREE! Support your local stores by showing how CHEAP you are. 😀

— Jesse Robles (@Jesse_Robles) April 30, 2014

oooo saturday is free comic book day. i should go to the comic book store…. even if i dont get a free one. there are some other comics

— Jess (@BlueApollon) April 30, 2014

Free comic book day!! Yes I'm more than excited!!

— A.B.R. (@BoyInCalifornia) April 30, 2014

Free Comic Book Day is always held on a weekend that coincides with the opening of a movie based on a comic book, which is The Amazing Spider-Man 2 this year. Watch the opening of the new Spidey flick on Friday, and follow that up with a trip to the comic book store on Saturday–what more could a nerd want, right? With X-Men: Days of Future Past opening on May 22, May is shaping up to be a fun month.

Image via Wikimedia Commons