Two Granby Businesses Team Up for Free Comic Book Day

Granby’s and Free Lunch Studios have big plans for Free Comic Book Day, set for tomorrow, May 5.

Free Comic Book Day, which takes place on the first Saturday in May every year, is akin to a national holiday for fans of comic books. It’s a day when participating shops across the U.S. and around the world hand out comic books for free to everyone who comes into the stores.

Bill Arnone, who co-owns Simsbury Cards & Comics with his wife Jane, said in a recent interview would offer SpongeBob Squarepants, Peanuts, The Avengers and The New 52 (a relaunch of all of DC Comics superheroes) for the promotion in his store tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Comics are not advertised in any other way,” Arnone said. “This is a great event.”

Matt Ryan, owner of Free Lunch Studios, which produces independent comics and graphic novels and holds drawing workshops, said that days like Free Comic Book Day are important for the medium.

“I tell all my students that they don’t necessarily have to be comic book readers, but they should go out and get the free comics,” he said. “It brings in new readers, and it possibly gets people through the door to come in and buy other products.”

Comics, according to Ryan, are unlike any other media.

“It’s almost a movie with no budget,” Ryan said. “You can take on any story. In that sense, it’s exciting for me.”

Toward that end, Simsbury Cards & Comics is partnering with Free Lunch Studios for the big day.

Specifically, Free Lunch’s Steve Kanaras will be on hand at Simsbury Cards & Comics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. giving out digital copies of his and Matt Ryan’s comic Pork ‘n Beans, which is about three kids who are looked after by, naturally, a pig who dropped out of medical school. Kanaras will also be handing out tangible copies (called floppies) of “Only in Whispers,” a dramatic comic he and Ryan created that is like “Tales from the Crypt.”

Those who stop in at Simsbury Cards & Comics or at the Granby Artists Association’s Family Fun Day at Holcomb Farm can receive an invitation to the Free Comic Book Day afterparty at Free Lunch Studios.

Those who attend the party will have the opportunity to draw, play games and watch a movie.

The big day ties in with the release of The Avengers, the first big summer movie of 2012. The Avengers brings together all of Marvel Studios' big superheroes - including Captain America, the Hulk and Iron Man, into one blockbuster.

“I’m excited for this one,” Arnone said of the movie. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Ryan agreed.

“It’s the ultimate dream for superhero movies,” he said. “From what I hear, it’s ridiculously awesome.”

For more information on Simsbury Cards & Comics, visit its website here. Free Lunch Studio’s website can be found here.