Talking cars, sci-fi stars, and stalwart super-heroes. What do they all have in common? Why it's the lineup of Gold comic books for Free Comic Book Day 2009!

The Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) Committee is pleased to announce the Gold Sponsors and their comic books for FCBD 2009, which will be held Saturday, May 2, 2009

Selected by retailers who serve on the FCBD Committee, this year's roster of Gold Sponsors and their books include a comic book for everyone's tastes:

Archie Comics- Archie Presents: The Mighty Archie Art Players
BOOM! Studios- Disney/Pixar's Cars
Bongo Comics- 2009 Free For All
Dark Horse Comics- Star Wars: Clone Wars
DC Comics- Blackest Night #0
IDW Publishing- Transformers Animated/G.I. Joe
Image Comics- Savage Dragon #148
Marvel Comics- The Avengers
Oni Press- Resurrection #0
Viz Media- Shonen Jump Presents: Ultimo

Archie Presents- The Mighty Archie Art Players

Publisher: Archie Comics

The "Mighty Archie Art Players" return.

In this special FCBD09 edition, the Mighty Archie Art Players have a rip-roaring good time in the Old West, put a modern-spin on the classic Snow White fairy tale, tell a "big fish" story — literally — with Betty as a mermaid, and cater to the whims of Veronica, transformed into the ancient Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.

Their curtain-raising performances will leave you laughing in the aisles.

32pgs, FC

Bongo Comics 2009 Free For All

Publisher: Bongo Comics

The comic company that brings you The Simpsons and Futurama in the fantastic four-color format joins with retailers to reel in new readers.

This special issue features a comic cornucopia of tantalizing tidbits and a spectacular sampling of the best in humor comics.

(W/A) Matt Groening

32pgs, FC

Disney/Pixar's Cars

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Take a peek under the hood of BOOM! Studios' line of Cars comics, based on the hit Disney/Pixar movie!

This issue includes an exciting exerpt from Cars #1, revealing the plucky origin of Lightning McQueen.

In addition, readers will be treated to never-before-seen sketches, character designs and script pages.

(W) Alan J. Porter
(A) Albert Carreres

24pgs, FC

Star Wars- The Clone Wars

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

A special issue featuring the greatest heroes of The Clone Wars.

Also in the spotlight are Emily the Strange, Usagi Yojimbo, and other all-ages favorites.

Packed with 28 pages of story, the book bears two covers, one with the Star Wars characters, the other celebrating Dark Horse's best all-ages characters.

(W/A) Various

28pgs, FC

Blackest Night #0

Publisher: DC Comics

Across the universe the dead will rise. Prepare for the coming of "The Blackest Night" with this prelude to the biggest comic event of the year.

This special edition recaps the key moments from "Sinestro Corps War" and "Rage of the Red Lanterns" that led to "Blackest Night", and will give readers everything they need to know about the Green Lantern universe, their ongoing War of Light, and their dark days ahead.

(W) Geoff Johns
(A) Ivan Reis, Ethan Van Sciver

32pgs, FC

Transformers Animated /G.I. Joe

Publisher: IDW Publishing

G.I. Joe and the Transformers kick off IDW's FCBD09 promotional comic with three great stories.

First up is an 11-page Transformers Animated tale that features a young Optimus Prime in his days at the Autobot Academy.

Next is not one, but two great G.I. Joe stories — a six-page story written by the maestro behind-the-series today, and the second written by the maestro behind the series originally. Secrets are revealed and action abounds.

(W) Chuck Dixon, Larry Hama, Marty Isenberg
(A) Robert Atkins, Tom Feister, Dario Brizuela

32pgs, FC

Savage Dragon #148

Publisher: Image Comics

All-new story and art from fan-favorite writer/artist Erik Larsen (Spider-Man, Wolverine).

There's a new vigilante in town: The Dynamic Daredevil. This recently resurrected hero from comics' Golden Age has made Chicago his new home and it pits him against Chicago's fin-headed finest.

Plus a mysterious assassin from Dragon's past is introduced as Dragon's battle against the notorious Vicious Circle heats up. It's the ultimate introductory issue and fit for readers young and old.

(W/A) Erik Larsen

32pgs, FC

The Avengers

Publisher: Marvel Comics

The mighty Thor and both the New and Dark Avengers join forces against the frost-giant Ymir in a battle that will have terrifying consequences for the Marvel Universe — and for these heroes — in the days to come.

Top-flight creators Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung combine talents to bring you an absolutely essential all-new touchstone story for what's coming up in the Marvel Universe — and it's yours, absolutely FREE.

(W) Brian Michael Bendis
(A) Jim Cheung

32pgs, FC

Resurrection #0

Publisher: Oni Press

From the writer of Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man comes a science fiction epic that explores the aftermath of Earth's most brutal conflict. For 10 years the alien invaders have laid waste to our planet, but now they've vanished, leaving the survivors with two questions: "Where did the 'bugs' go?" and "Where does humanity go from here?" Its existential questions, alien-fueled intrigue, and some of the biggest action in comics today. PLUS: A preview of Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen.

(W) Marc Guggenheim
(A) Justin Greenwood

32pgs, FC

Shonen Jump Presents - Ultimo

Publisher: Viz Media

The Shonen Jump FCBD09 edition features 32 action-packed pages of manga fresh from Japan, featuring a new chapter of Ultimo.

Ultimo is an exciting manga serial by legendary creators Stan "The Man" Lee and Hiroyuki Takei, creator of Shaman King!

(W) Stan Lee
(W/A) Hiroyuki Takei

32pgs, FC

"This year's roster of Gold Comics looks amazing," said FCBD spokesperson, Elissa Lynch. "We're pleased to showcase the best the comics industry has to offer—and hopeful that this year's comics will drive new customers to see what's great about comics and their local comic book shop."

Gold Sponsor comics include special FCBD editions designed to attract new readers into comic shops with some of the industry's most widely recognized characters.

Additionally, Mad Engine, Quebecor Printing, and Geodis Wilson are also serving as Gold Sponsors for FCBD through their generous support of FCBD's marketing and promotional efforts.

Look for more FCBD news and updates on the FCBD website, www.freecomicbookday.com.

clipped from previewsworld.com
Archie Comics: Archie Presents: The Mighty Archie Art Players
Bongo Comics: 2009 Free For All
BOOM! Studios: Disney/Pixar’s Cars
Dark Horse Comics: Star Wars: Clone Wars
DC Comics: Green Lantern: Blackest Night #0
IDW Publishing: Transformers Animated/G.I. Joe
Image Comics: Savage Dragon #148
Marvel Comics: The Avengers
Oni Press: Resurrection #0
Shonen Jump Free Comic Book Day
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