New Comic Book Day, explained

Ask a comic reader what day it is midweek and you may get "new comic day" as the answer. New Comic Book Day, often shortened to NCBD, is the weekly day new comics go on sale at comic shops. For many readers it's a routine: stop at the shop, grab the week's issues, talk about them with the staff and the regulars.

What it is

Publishers set an on-sale date for each new comic. Comic shops receive their copies ahead of that date but agree not to sell them early, so on release day the new books appear on shelves across the country at once. Because most new comics share the same weekly release day, that day becomes an event: the new-release wall is fully stocked, pull boxes are full, and the shop is at its busiest.

Wednesday, Tuesday, or both

For decades, Wednesday was New Comic Book Day. It still is for many books, and "Wednesday" is shorthand for new comics in a lot of shops.

In recent years, some publishers have moved their weekly releases to Tuesday. That means some shops now put out new books on two days, or have moved their main release day. Schedules can change, and they can differ from publisher to publisher.

The simple answer: ask your shop. Its staff know exactly which books arrive on which day, and many shops post the week's new releases on their website, newsletter or social media.

What comes out each week

• New single issues of ongoing series and mini-series, from the big publishers and from smaller ones.
• Variant covers: alternate covers for the same issue, some printed in smaller numbers.
• New #1s, relaunches and one-shots.
• Collected editions: trade paperbacks, hardcovers and omnibuses that collect earlier issues.
• Graphic novels and manga volumes, depending on the shop.

Not every publisher puts out books every week, and a few weeks a year are light. Ask the shop if a book you're waiting for has been delayed. Release dates do slip.

Behind the counter

Release day starts before the doors open. The shop's staff check the shipment against what was ordered, set aside damaged copies, fill every customer's pull box, and stock the new-release wall. That's a lot of sorting, which is why some shops open a little later or stay open a little longer on release day, and why the person at the counter may be busy for the first hour.

If a copy arrives damaged or short, the shop usually reorders it, and the replacement can take a week or more. That's one more reason a pull list helps: your copy is counted before anything goes on the shelf.

Making the most of it

• Check the release list before you go. Publishers post upcoming releases, and many shops share their weekly list. Knowing what's out keeps you from missing a book.
• Start a pull list for anything you never want to miss. Popular issues and limited variants can sell out on day one.
• Go early for limited covers, if those matter to you. For most readers, any time that day is fine.
• Check your shop's hours. Release-day hours can differ from the rest of the week.
• Set a weekly budget. It's easy to grab a few extra #1s. A budget keeps the habit fun.
• Watch for spoilers. Big story moments hit social media on release day. If you can't pick up until the weekend, ask the shop to hold your books and stay off the comments.
• Talk to the staff. Release day is when they're most excited about the books. Ask what they're reading; it's the easiest way to find your next series.

Can't make it that day?

Release day is a habit, not a deadline. Plenty of readers pick up on the weekend or once a month. A few ways to make that work:

• Use a pull list. Your copies wait in your box until you come in, however busy the week was.
• Ask the shop to hold a book. If you only want one issue, most shops will set it aside if you call or message them on release day.
• Check whether the shop ships or offers pickup. Some shops sell online or let you order ahead and collect later.
• Catch up later with trades. If you fall behind on a series, the collected edition usually follows a few months after the last issue in it.

For new readers, release day is also the easiest day to ask for help. The wall is full, the staff know what came in, and regulars are usually happy to tell you what they're reading. Our getting into comics guide covers where to start.

Questions

What day do new comics come out?

Most new comics arrive in shops midweek. Wednesday is the traditional New Comic Book Day, and some publishers now release on Tuesday. Ask your shop which books arrive on which day.

Why midweek?

It's a long-standing habit of how comics have been shipped to shops. A set weekly day gives shops time to sort their shipment and lets readers everywhere get books at the same time.

Can I buy new comics online on release day?

Often, yes, from shops that sell online and in digital form from many publishers. Your local shop may also hold copies for you if you can't get in that day.

What if my shop sold out?

Ask whether they can reorder it or whether a second printing is planned. A pull list keeps it from happening next time.

Find a shop for release day

• Comic shops by state, with ratings, reviews and posted hours.
• Comic shops with pull lists.
• Shops with back issues, for the issues you missed.
• Shops with manga.

Find a comic shop Shops with pull lists