| 05.02.2019 – Free Comic Book Day in the Philippines has become part of the local event culture, where everyone lines up to their participating bookstores and comic shops. Every year since it became a regular thing in 2007 there have been a growing community among those who became a comicbook reader and its evident why many Filipino still adore reading a physical copy than digital.
Of course FCBD in Manila had become a community on its own having different interesting diverse personalities among those who have been consistently lined up at this event. |
One of them has basically changed the way they come in EARLIER than the expected time with the Mysterious FCBD Guy! For those who frequently participate for this annual Free Comic Book Day hosted by Fully Booked with Comic Odyssey in Bonifacio High Street you’ll be familiar with the guy with the FCBD logo on his face whenever there was someone standing there as early as Thursday afternoon, which was TWO DAYS EARLY than the event day itself.
By now many may have forgotten this nice looking chap, who has stopped standing in line to participate at the Bonifacio High Street starting in 2018. There have been rumors that he completely just stopped going or have a changed of interest that has no relation to comicbooks. But for those who would remember there was this guy who keeps standing in line that changed the way people go to FCBD and for those haven’t heard of the FCBD Guy this was his story…
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| Joonee (From Left) was already there by 2 AM in the Morning for FCBD 2013 at Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street. |
The Story Behind the FCBD Guy
In the Philippine Summer of 2013 this was the first time Fully Booked and Comic Odyssey had team-up in hosting that year’s Free Comic Book Day. Most people who have gone to Fully Booked in BGC or at Comic Odyssey in Robinsos Galleria usually is there by 9 AM or the earliest by 7 AM in the morning. In those days that is considered a dedication to be the first to get to choose THREE comics as per customer is only allowed to do so.
But that would change in 2013 where the FCBD Guy was born. Meet Joonee Odal, a local comicbook fan and currently Dungeon Master. He changed the way you lined up at FCBD in the Philippines in comparison to a new pair of sneakers dropping at an exclusive store or a new iPhone set to be sold in the store. Although you might think this was a story of a legend, but the true story was that it happened by accident on the eve of Free Comic Book Day 2013.
During that time Joonee was at his former office nearby for his clearance and plans to head home as it was almost 2 AM in the morning. But his decision to line up WAY TOO EARLY was a sign of things that would define his personal legacy as just a casual comicbook reader and fan for anything pop culture.
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| Joonee, again earlier than a normal bird gets the worm past 1 AM Saturday in 2015 for FCBD. |
Five Time First-in-Line
Lining up as early as 2 AM was just a happy accident for Joonee that unknowingly would change the way people line up at Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street. After the first time that happened he stayed humble for being a fun loving dude to anyone he met during the five years he was first in line. His personal challenge was to be a five time “first-in-line” at FCBD, which he did managed to do so from 2013 to 2017 by 2018 he just drop off and decided not to attend that year moving forward.
These days Joonee is somewhere chilling with his friends and playing Dungeons & Dragons and occasional visits at Comic Odyssey at the Robinsons Galleria branch. But most people who knew him think that he dropped off the face of the planet. Who knows where he is right now the guy still wants to be a mystery at the height of his appreciation on FCBD, which defined his legacy as a regular FCBD attendee and you might be surprise how dedicated he was lining up as early as Thursday afternoon is no laughing matter that’s passion right there alright.
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| The Man, Myth, & Legendary FCBD Guy holding a copy of Darren Zen Close's Killeroo Scars #1 at Summer Komikon 2017! |
So if you think you’re the first to be in line you’re five years too late you are just continuing the tradition what Joonee has contributed to the community what truly a fan is and not because the comicbooks are free it’s about meeting new faces and just literally having a good conversation about their interest in the pop culture at the same time having fun while they wait for Fully Booked to open its doors by 10 AM.
Free Comic Book Day happens every First Saturday in May and Fully Booked with Comic Odyssey is hosting the event featuring local artists and some surprises. For more announcements and inquiries about which bookstores and comic shops participating in this year’s FCBD follow the updates through social media via Facebook!
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