The buzz generated by the opening of Marvel’s “The Avengers” this weekend, is giving a huge boost to the world of comics. Along with passionate, already established fans, a whole slew of new fans have cropped up. Thus, the timing couldn’t have been better for Free Comic Book Day.

It’s really that simple: go into a participating comic shop, and get a free comic. This year’s list of free comics includes mainstream titles such as: Star Wars, SpongeBob, Donald Duck, Transformers, Buffy, The Smurfs, Spider-Man and, yes, The Avengers.

According to organizers, ” Since its inception, Free Comic Book Day has given out over 23 million free comics to nearly 6.5 million people. This year alone, 3.5 million books will be given away, the most ever in eleven years.”

Here is a list of some of the participating comic bookstores in SF (for the full list, go here):

1. Mission: Comics & Art

3520 20Th St, Ste B

San Francisco, CA, 94110

(415) 695-1545

2. Neon Monster

901 Castro St

San Francisco, CA, 94114

(415) 206-9644

3. Whatever

548 Castro St

San Francisco, CA, 94114

(415) 861-9428

• Tag: comic books, Free, Star Wars, The Avengers