Fans to celebrate Free Comic Book Day
Suisun, Benicia businesses participating
While the first thoughts that may pop into many people's heads when they hear the term “comic book” are that of the larger-thanlife characters that populate so many modern summer blockbuster movies, superheroes aren't the only subject matter contained in the pages of the beloved print format.
For those that read and love comic books, they know that a virtually infinite number of stories can be told using the graphic medium, with more creators and fans sharing their art every year — a fact celebrated annually during “Free Comic Book Day,” which has taken place the first Saturday in May since 2002.
It will be observed at two local Solano County businesses — Waterfront Comics in Suisun City and Zeppelin Comics in Benicia.
Comics have come a long way since they were first sold on spinning racks in the corner of local five and dime stores; thousands of specialty comic book shops have opened over the years and provide not only a place to purchase books and assorted memorabilia, but they also create and foster shared communities for people to come together in their
love for their favorite publications and characters.
A collaboration between comic book publishers, independent retailers and Diamond Comic Distributors, “Free Comic Book Day” has become a fan favorite event the past 20 years.
It starts with publishers printing an ever-growing number of special editions sent out to participating shops to give away for free — encouraging people of all ages to learn more about the wide variety of comic books out there, ranging from beginning readers to seasoned veterans, and also to bring in business to locally owned, independent shops and stores all around North America.
“Growing up as a kid, my favorite comic was always Captain America — the first comic I read was where he fought a Nazi vampire and cut his head off with his shield. I was 6 years old, I was like, `Wow, that's like the coolest thing I've ever seen!'” said John Harter, who opened Waterfront Comics in Suisun City in 2003.
The shop has taken part in “Free Comic Book Day” every year since and tries to make it a fun event for all.
“We generally have a little street fair with it, where local artists will come out and do free sketches for the kids,” said Harter. “In years past we've had Star Wars cosplayers, we've had the Ghostbusters show up, GI Joe, Spider-Man, lots of pop culture stuff going on.
“And of course, we'll be giving away thousands of comics — we also partner with the local library branches in Solano County, we've supplied them with free comics, so each branch will have those as well.”
Natasha and Dan Curtis opened Zeppelin Comics in Benicia about seven years ago after developing a love for comics and attending events such as Wondercon with their children when it was at Moscone Center in San Francisco.
“Each year what we do is we commission a different comic book artist to design a T-shirt for us, which then we unveil on Free Comic Book Day. This year our artist is Betsy Cola. She's an up-and-coming artist that's done mostly Marvel
covers. She's based in the Philippines,” said Dan Curtis.
“We attend a lot of conventions and make contacts and try to have artists out for signings and do different events and whatnot.”
In addition to picking up special merchandise and of course, free comics, visitors can expect a large turnout of fans dressed up as their favorite characters as well.
“We have a really strong cosplay community around it, so it's fun to see who comes out and who dresses up,” said Natasha Curtis.
“Our neighbors are going to be having artists and vendors as well, so it will be like a little block party.”