Stores
to participate in comic book promotion
By Jill Thomsen
On-line Forty-Niner
 This
Saturday, comic book stores across the nation
will participate in the second annual Free
Comic Book Day. Designed to introduce as
many people as possible to the world of
comic books, the event will include book
giveaways and in-store artist appearances.
“We are basically trying to promote comics
and expose as many people as possible so
that people might see that they like them
and come back,” said Amazing Comic and Cards
owner, Darin Erickson.
Free Comic Book Day is an industrywide event
that is supported by publishers, creators
and retailers. The event is being held the
day after the highly anticipated X-Men sequel,
“X2: X-Men United,” hits theaters and public
knowledge of the comic book world should
become higher than usual.
“We’re hoping for a few thousand visitors
throughout the day,” said Erickson. The
store has increased their advertising since
last years inaugural event and is also working
with local elementary school fourth and
fifth-graders.
Comic book collector Dominic Gazzulo thinks
that working with schools is a good approach.
“I think you have to get into comics at
an early age,” he said. “I started when
I was in elementary school and that’s the
only way to do it.”
Tanya Hernandez of Gotham Comics in Lakewood
says the day is about “getting the younger
generation into comics — it’s a dying breed.”
Although Gotham is a “small mom and pop
shop,” Hernandez says. The store feels that
participating in Free Comic Book Day is
important. “We’re trying our best to get
the word out and let people know about comics,”
she said.
Various comic book publishers have produced
specific issues for the event, including
books aimed at children, adults and families.
Free titles available will include DC Comics’
“Batman Adventures #1,” the debut of a new
all-ages series about the Caped Crusader
and Marvel’s “Ultimate X-Men #1,” which
features many of the characters from the
film. Each comic book given away will be
a special “FCBD” edition.
Amazing Comics and Cards, located off Bellflower
in the Target shopping center, is making
packets for customers that will include
at least three comic books.
Erickson feels that “it’s a great event.
It exposes a lot of people to comic books
that maybe have not looked at them before.”
Gazzulo, an undeclared sophomore who has
over 400 comic books, feels that the event
will be good for “little kids” but not for
collectors or most adults. “Usually with
these things they give out a book that doesn’t
really fit with a series, so it wouldn’t
really be for collectors,” he said.
In addition to handing out free comic books,
stores around the country will also be hosting
comic book artists to sign autographs, display
art and talk with fans. Amazing Comics and
Cards will have over nine guests throughout
the day, including “Tomb Raider” artist
Andy Park and “Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra”
artist Danny Miki.
“We contacted some people, and they called
their friends,” said Erickson. “Most of
the guys that are coming are really well
known.”
Erickson offered these words for those who
think they would never read a comic book:
“It’s free — it’s not going to cost you
anything, and you might be pleasantly surprised
by what you see,” he said.
To find a store location near you and for
more information, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.
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