For the fifth consecutive year, comic book retailers worldwide will join with publishers to promote the comic medium and their stores everywhere on Saturday, May 6 ? Free Comic Book Day 2006 ? and this year's eagerly awaited roster of participating publishers and titles has been announced.

This year's Gold Sponsor publishers, and their Free Comic Book Day Editions ? available at all participating Free Comic Book Day stores ? include:


GOLD SPONSOR TITLE
Archie Comics - Archie Comics 65th Anniversary Bash

Bongo Comics Bongo's Free for All 2006

Dark Horse Comics Star Wars/Conan Flip Book

DC Comics Justice League Unlimited #1

Devil's Due Publishing G.I. Joe: Sigma 6

Gemstone Publishing Walt Disney's Donald Duck 2006

IDW Transformers: Beast Wars (IDW) 2006

Image Comics Future Shock 2006

Marvel Comics X-Men/Runaways

TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP Sneak GN


Additionally, the following publishers have signed on as Silver Sponsors and will provide the following books for this year's event:

SILVER SPONSOR TITLE

Adhouse Books Preposterous Voyages of Ironhide Tom 2006

Arcana Studios Arcana Studio Presents #3 2006

Aspen MLT Inc. Worlds of Aspen #1

Castle Rain Jack the Lantern 1942 2006

Claypool Comics Deadbeats/Soul Searchers 2006

Comic Genesis Comic Genesis Generations 2006

Drawn & Quarterly Mr. Jean

Fantagraphics Books Funny Book #2

F&W Publishing Impact University Vol. 2

Heroic Publishing Liberty Girl #0

Keenspot Publishing Keenspot Spotlight 2006

Narwain SRL Bluff & Tales from a Forgotten Planet

Oni Press Free Scott Pilgrim 2006

Top Shelf Productions Owly: Breakin' the Ice 2006

Renaissance Press Amelia Rules 2006

Sky-Dog Press Buzzboy: Sidekicks Rule #1 2006

Viper Comics Viper Comics Presents Dead @ 17 & More

Wizard Entertainment Wizard Presents the Top 100 TPs Revised

Please Note: Availability of Silver Sponsor titles and additional items may vary between participating stores, so please check with your retailer for availability.

Images for this year's titles can be found online at the Free Comic Book Day website, http://www.freecomicbookday.com.

Also on tap for Free Comic Book Day: Viz Media will publish Viz Samplers for manga lovers; WizKids LLC will create a Marvel HeroClix Wolverine Figure for players of its popular collectible Miniatures Game; and Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles will give toy collectors an exciting new addition with its Stargate Jack O'Neil Action Figure from the highly anticipated toy line based on the hit Sci Fi Channel series. Please Note: Availability of these items may vary between participating stores. Please check with your retailer.

"Based on the feedback we received from retailers, publishers, and fans, last year's Free Comic Book Day was our most successful to date," said Free Comic Book Day Spokesperson Elissa Lynch. "To make this year's even more of a success, we encourage comic fans to spread the word among their friends and family members ? especially those who don't normally read comics ? and bring them to their favorite participating comic shop on May 6. They'll see that our medium truly offers something for everyone!"

Readers can also show their support for Free Comic Book Day with a bevy of apparel offered in the January 2006 Previews catalog, including Baseball Caps, T-shirts (Regular and ? making its debut ? Baby Doll styles), and Polo Shirts. Plus, for the first time ever, fans can send word of the big day anywhere with Free Comic Book Day Postage Stamps! Fans can order these great promotional items at their local comics shop. Those who are looking for a store in their area can call the Comic Shop Locator Service at 888-COMIC-BOOK, or log on to http://www.comicshoplocator.com/

More information and updates about Free Comic Book Day 2006 can be found online at http://www.freecomicbookday.com. Retailers can order their copies of this year's Free Comic Book Day titles from the February Previews Retailer Order Form. Free Comic Book Day promotional items can be ordered from the January and February Previews.