Free Comic Book Day TODAY in Santa Cruz

On every first Saturday of May, comic book stores in 40 countries across the globe will give away free graphic novels to everyone who walks through their doors for the 11th annual Free Comic Book Day. Local comic shops, and will be participating in this worldwide comic book giveaway.

“It gives us an opportunity to create magic,” says Joe Ferrara, owner of Atlantis Fantasy World “It’s like going to Disney Land. Everyone is excited be here. There is overwhelming positive energy. We get exhausted, but it is a fun exhausted.”

This nerd holiday is the brainchild of Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, Ca. He thought the idea when walking past a long line in front of a Basken Robbins for their annual free scoop day. He later published an article in Comics and Games Retailers magazine, outlining his concept for an industry wide, comic book give away.  The next year, in conjunction with the release of the 2002 Spider-man movie, the first Free Comic Book day took place.

“The best thing about free comic is the Long hours and lots of people coming through the store.” Said Troy Gedds, owner of Comicoplis, “The worst thing is the long hours and lots of people coming through the store.”

Both Marvel and DC, the “big two” comic publishers, are releasing books. Marvel is printing an Avengers story, written by bestselling comic scribe Brian Michael Bendis, to go along with their upcoming movie, and DC is publishing a comic featuring their newly relaunched super heroes, written and drawn by superstar creators Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. Comicoplis and Atlantis will also carry comics from other publishers featuring many well known characters, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Atomic Robo, Donald Duck and The Simpsons.

Atlantis has become a hot spot for free comic book day. Two years ago, Serigo Argones, the popular Mad Magazine cartoonist—he draws the little doodles in the margins—celebrated free comic day at the store, signing exclusive posters he drew for the event. The next year, Atlantis welcomed Snoopy, or at least a guy dressed up as Snoopy, as well as creators of the just-released Peanuts DVD and graphic novel, Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.

Ferrara loves free comic day, but only wishes that he could make it bigger. Even though the comics are free to guests, stores have to pay for the comics they order. So stores are limited in the selection they can offer.

Free Comic Book Day will be held on Saturday, May 5th at Atlantis Fantasy World on Ceder Street and Comicopolis on Front Street.

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