Even X-Men Know: Today's Free Comic Book Day

As Homer Simpson once uttered with such sage insight: "Nothin' a month?! I can swing that!"

Today, as all the good fanboys and -girls know, is officially Free Comic Book Day -- the one time each year when superheroes, sci-fi and even Betty & Veronica can be had for no charge. Dark Horse to D.C. to Dynamite Entertainment, thousands of retailers have backed this promotion for nearly a decade now. This year, 2 million comics will be given away gratis.

To help boost the event, Hugh Jackman -- as his "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" film has opened this weekend -- even urges folks to celebrate the eighth annual National Free Comic Book Day in a special trailer:

[LOCAL PROGRAMMING NOTE: In the Washington area, such shops as Beyond Comics (in Gaithersburg and Frederick, Md.), Fantom Comics (in D.C.'s Tenleytown and Union Station) and Cards, Comics and Collectibles (Reisterstown, Md.) have alerted Comic Riffs as to their participation and in-store events.

So get thee to a comic book store today and score that free work. Enjoy.