ComicGeek: Free Comic Book Day!

Who needs Grand Theft Auto? We've got much better mayhem in store this weekend.

This Saturday, comic shops around the world and here in the metro-east are giving away free comic books in the annual giveaway bonanza sponsored by the major comics publishers. Pow! Crash!

C'mon, the first taste is free…

• Hometown Comics and Games will host author (and former police officer) Shane Moore, who will sign his fantasy novel "A Prisoner's Welcome" beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. Moore will talk about the writing life and the plans to adapt his novel into a graphic novel.

Spider-Man also will be present, with plenty of giveaways and more than 2,000 free comics to visitors. Hometown Comics and Games is located in downtown Edwardsville at 110 E. Vandalia and can be found online here.

• At Heroic Adventures, visitors will get the chance to win a $300 statue of Thor – that's the superhero, not the Norse god. They're giving away 2,500 gift bags, each containing about $75 worth of merchandise, as well as offering 35-40 titles of free comic books.

It's worth noting, too, that the new card set from Magic: The Gathering premieres Friday night at their weekly Magic games. Again, I say: Who needs Liberty City? Heroic Adventures is located at 2131 S. State Route 157 in Edwardsviille.

• The Fantasy Shop in Fairview Heights also will offer the free comic books all day Saturday. And speaking of "free," manager Scott Samson also offers a free podcast on all things comics titled ComicDorksCast. This is not to be confused with CultureGeek, who does not have the intellectual or technological skills for a podcast.

That's just the events on the Illinois side of the river. Check out Free Comic Book Day for shops near you and more events. It's no-kidding, for-real free, no pressure to buy anything more – though sales will be taking place at most shops - and you can bring the kids to pick out their own.

As for me, you can bet CultureGeek Jr. and I will be dropping by a comic shop on Saturday. Which one? I plead the Fifth.