Time Travelers in Berkley Celebrates Free Comic Book Day

Fanboys and fangirls, take note: Saturday is Free Comic Book Day.

in Berkley will be one of the shops handing out free comics. The shop is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The day, which began in 2002, is held the first Saturday in May each year.

Comic books have a storied history, and comic-based adaptations are must-see events for movie-goers, including this weekend's opening of The Avengers, and July 3’s The Amazing Spider-Man. Also TV shows such as CBS’s Big Bang Theory, with its quartet of die-hard fans, has proven to be a huge hit.

One can’t understate the value of comic books in our culture. “Comic books are an original American art form,” according to www.freecomicbookday.com, “created in the early days of the twentieth century.” And it’s more than reading about the adventures of Superman and Batman, since readers can indulge in horror, fantasy, science fiction, humor, slice-of-life and much more.

Free Comic Book Day is represented by all parts of the comic book industry, including retailers, publishers, suppliers and Diamond Comic Distributors. Publishers provide comics at cost to retailers, who then give them away.