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So after all this Free Comic Book Day hype, who put out the best book?

Let’s start with a few things that didn’t shine quite as bright as I’d hoped.

TwoMorrows Publishing easily claimed the prize for Best Free Comic Book Day Offering of 2007, but 2008’s book isn’t so stellar. Comics Go Hollywood is good but it’s aimed more at the novice reader rather than the burgeoning continuity encyclopedia fan. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – it’s just not as rich with information as it could be.

Marvel Adventures also fell a bit short. Maybe I was hyping it up too much in my imagination, but this issue isn’t as captivating as some of the better Marvel Adventures offerings. It’s still a strong outing, but it’s no Marvel Adventures Hulk by Paul Benjamin and David Nakayama or Marvel Adventures Avengers by Ty Templeton and Ig Guara.

Now for the good stuff!

The Runner-Up for Best Free Comic Book Day Offering of 2008: Maintenance from Oni Press. This one-and-done tale about two janitors at a corporation run by supervillain scientists is an excellent exercise in fun storytelling. This free comic did what any FCBD offering should do – it convinced me to pick up the actual series the next time I’m in my comic shop.

And the Winner for Best Free Comic Book Day Offering of 2008: X-Men by Marvel Comics. This was a shocker, super fans. I did not expect this book to “wow” me like it did. It was on my FCBD wanted list, but towards the bottom. Yet instead of a mediocre read, Mike Carey and Greg Land treated me to an emotional, interesting, and action-packed issue. This bodes well for the future of the post-Messiah CompleX X-Men franchise.

All around, it was a great Free Comic Book Day where even the weakest free comics were still excellent reads. I can’t wait for FCBD 2009!