DC, Dynamite And Earthworld Comics Give Troops In Afghanistan Their Own Free Comic Book Day

[Rich Johnston]

Earth World Comics in Albany, New York is participating in Free Comic Book Day this year. Nothing unusual in that, but it seems its not just the customers who will be getting free comics.

Because this year Earthworld Comicswill be collecting and accepting donations of comics from fans for the BOOKS FOR TROOPS, an organization founded to send "care packages for the mind" for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. It was also founded to raise awareness of the sacrifices, both big and small, that troops are making to protect Americans and to remind them that they are not forgotten.

Earthworld has worked with TROOPS founder, Ellen Keegan for the last year donating some overstock comics we had and have received the letters of appreciation. One soldier said that the comics sent were ?the biggest home run in relation to care packages?. Another, that his son is a big comic fan and he feels ?connected to him whenever I read a comic book?. Many of the letters say that the books make a huge difference in their lives, and all of them end with ?it is my honor and privilege to serve the people of the United States?.

After sending the letters to Diamond Comic Distributors, they were forwarded to the various publishers. And DC Comics stepped up, sending Books for Troops over 800 comics for Afghanistan soldiers (pictred above and below)

UPDATE: Dynamite Entertainment got in touch to let us know they have donated 20,000 comics.

From April 1st to May 5th, New York comic readers can drop unwanted comics at Earthworld and, in return, will get a ticket entitling them to additional Free Comic Book Day titles than they would normally receive. At the end of Free Comic Book Day, all donated books will be collected by Ms. Keegan and sent to Afghanistan for distribution to all soldiers. There will be photos...

[Kris Shaw]

This is a great idea. My brother-in-law was in Iraq, and these guys need an escape from reality. Comic books can help them out.

[atrocitus]

Great job DC. Being a soldier is the toughest experience I've had in my life.
I'm glad DC is reaching out to soldiers in Iraq, anything to help them go through the worst part of their lives.

[Lemurion]

I really want to see Rich report that other companies are stepping up to the plate with this, too.

[Blackfist]

This is nice to see

[Lemurion]

Good to see that Dynamite stepped up, too - and in such a big way. I hope this will inspire DC to increase their donation, and other companies to step up as well.

[fredmanson]

I will see if I can support this project from France because it is an excellent initiative. I have contacted them.

[Kuma]

Everyone involved with this should be welling up with pride. Thats a really nice gesture on their parts.

[Appasawz]

Hey! That's my LCS. Cool. Last year I think was a food drive but I like this idea even more.

Now I have some extra incentive to thinning out the collection before my floor collapses.