Free Comic Book Day at West Orange Comics Was a Blast!
Free Comic Book Day 2025 brought serious heat to West Orange Comics & Video Games in Ocoee. On May 3rd, the shop was packed wall-to-wall with comic lovers of every kind. The line outside started early, and by the time the doors opened, the vibe was already buzzing. Everyone was there for one thing—free comics—but they stayed for everything else.
Inside, Gary Allen Barker, the artist behind Garfield, held down a busy table. People brought books, sketchpads, and big nostalgia energy. Gary handled it all like a pro—smiling, signing, and showing real love to the fans. His line never let up, and neither did he. Seeing an artist like that in person is a rare treat, especially in such a local setting.
Right next to Gary, was Gregory Neston, rocking the most unforgettable squid hat you’ve ever seen. The thing had tentacles and everything. His table was full of bold, energetic art that drew people in almost as fast as the hat did. Gregory’s a local favorite, and he proved exactly why—great art, big personality, and serious creativity pouring off the page.
On the other side, PitchGrim had his own corner rocking hard. Known for his work with Santa Cruz Skateboards, his gritty, street-style art had people doing double-takes. His prints flew off the table, and the conversations he was having with fans were just as vibrant as the work. There was a real buzz around him all day.
The shop crew kept things moving. Even with the crowd, they managed to stay on top of the lines, answer questions, and help people find what they were looking for.
One of the coolest parts of the day was watching artists sketch live. You’d be in the middle of flipping through books, and suddenly someone’s got a brand-new Garfield, and even an Iron Fist and Phantom coming to life right in front of you. Watching that kind of talent up close never gets old. People were clearly loving every second of it—snapping photos, asking questions, and just soaking it in.
As the afternoon rolled on, the stacks of free comics started to thin, but the energy stayed high. Nobody was rushing out. Fans stuck around, comparing their hauls and showing off sketches. It felt more like a block party than a giveaway. Strangers were swapping reading suggestions and taking group photos like it was nothing.
By the end of it all, the store was still full, and nobody wanted to leave. That’s the power of a good shop doing Free Comic Book Day right—it becomes more than free comics. It becomes a memory. If you missed it this year, put it on your calendar for next time. You won’t regret it.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
