Gas prices are still soaring. The economy is reeling. But before you eliminate "having fun" from your budget permanently, there are plenty of things you can do today around the East Valley that are, as unlikely as it may sound, free.

Today is the seventh annual, national Free Comic Book Day, when you can walk into a comic book store and choose from a selection of more than two dozen free comic books. The books are designed to be friendly to lapsed readers who might not have read comics since they were a kid.

Locally, several stores are celebrating Free Comic Book Day with a variety of activities, though try to go early, as they might run out of certain titles. All four Valley Atomic Comics stores will host signings, highlighted by all seven founders of Image Comics (including local entrepreneur and "Spawn" creator Todd McFarlane and comic book superstars Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld) appearing at the Mesa location. Ash Avenue Comics in downtown Tempe promises a "storewide sale," so if you do spendmoney today, it'll at least be less than usual. Pop Culture Paradise, also in downtown Tempe, says they'll have a "couple of different sales."

Once you've secured your free comic book, you can keep the free motif going strong by heading to the Tempe Historical Museumwhere admission is always free. Exhibits include "A Proud Journey Home: Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Communities in Arizona" and "Tempe Police: Their Own Story." 809 E. Southern Ave., (480) 350-5100, tempe.gov/museum, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Getting hungry? Head a mile south to Whole Foods on Rural and Baseline roads. There areplenty of free samples (especially on a Saturday). Sometimes they sample beer (for those 21 and over). Hot tip: Push around a cart to look like less of a freeloader. It'll help you retain some modicum of dignity.

If you're committed to staying in Tempe, grab some gratis culture from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. over at the Tempe Center for the Arts where there will be a free public opening reception for "Masters of Illusion: Unveiling the Mysteries of Trompe L'Oeil." The exhibit celebrates the tradition of illusions. There will be music from the Tempe Symphony Orchestra, art from chalk artist Suzanne Logan and refreshments. 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, (480) 350-2822, tempe.gov/tca.

On your way to the Tempe Center for the Arts, you can check out the last week of the "Robot Mania" window exhibit at the downtown post office. Though the building will be closed, all of the art is visible from outside the building. 500 S. Mill Ave.

There are other free options today, like Scottsdale's Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Scottsdale Civic Center mall at Second Street and Drinkwater Boulevard. Admission is free, but some of the events include a charge. Or you could celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Chandler at the 11th annual Festival & Chihuahua races at Chandler Public Library Plaza, 100 E. Commonwealth Ave., (480) 895-0440. It's free.