Free Comic Book Day in S.O. Saturday

Saturday is Free Comic Book Day—a promotional "holiday" started by the comic industry in 2002—and South Orange residents don't have to go far to celebrate.

Commuter Comics is commemorating the day for the sixth year running, and owner Jeff Peters has incorporated eight additional locations into a treasure hunt that goes from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.

"What I tried to do is pick the mom and pop stores, because they're the ones that need help," said Peters, who asked retailers Mia Cose Bella, Kitchen a la Mode, Sparkhouse Kids, Ye Olde Curiositie Shoppe, Cait & Abby's and the South Orange Frame Store to participate, as well as the South Orange and Maplewood libraries.

Participants of any age can collect titles from the total of nine participating locations, and those who get at least seven from other spots on the route can get an additional title from Commuter Comics—choosing from hundreds.

Batman—a Newark detective who's involved with the D.A.R.E. program—will be on site with his Batmobile from noon to 2 p.m., and other superheroes including Spiderman, Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern and the Spirit will also be present.

Peters says about 1,000 people from South Orange and neighboring towns like Maplewood, Millburn, Orange and Newark came to his store last year for the event and 100 to 125 completed the circuit to visit other participating businesses.

Though the date of Free Comic Book Day shifted during its first years of existence, the first Saturday of May is now settled upon.

"There's always a big superhero movie that first weekend in May," Peters said.