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Truro shop looking to attract new readers with Free Comic Book Day celebration

Stomping Grounds in Truro will be hosting a Free Comic Book Day celebration on May 5.

Like many other comic book stores in North America, Stomping Grounds will be handing out free comics and other giveaways.

The industry-wide event was created 16 years ago as a means of attracting new readers to independent comic shops and has since become an industry staple.

Twelve different, free comic books will be available to everyone on Saturday. ese include everything from Captain America to Doctor Who.

“We try to appeal to a lot of different levels, as far as your various interests go,” said promotional manager Andre Myette, as he sat in the shop thumbing through the colourful pages of Archie and Punisher comic books.

e shop will also be giving out free editions of children’s comics, in the hopes of sparking interest in younger generations.

“It’s a good way to promote literacy among young people,” he said. “I’ve actually had somebody who brought their son in here and I set him up with some comics that interested him and they said that meant a lot to him and sparked his interest in reading more which I love to hear.”

Stomping Grounds has seen a steady increase of young new readers thanks to the popularity of live action comic book adaptations in recent years.

“It certainly sparked a lot of interest in the younger generation, which is nice to see and it’s cool to see people and kids being introduced to these characters and really enjoy it the same way I did when I first started,” he said.

Stomping Grounds is located at 339 Willow Street, Truro. It also sells an array of trading cards and strategy games and hosts community game nights every week.

Free Comic Book Day will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 5.

“Hopefully it brings people in and exposes them to stu they might not normally be into and maybe might puts a comic in their hand they’re interested in reading more of,” said Myette.