Costumes, capes and community highlight Free Comic Book Day in the Triangle

The event is held in comic shops across the nation ever year on the first Saturday in May. Free Comic Book Day is meant to celebrate comics and highlight local stores like Ultimate Comics, which has four locations in the Triangle.

Ultimate Comics COO Siena Fallon said Free Comic Book Day is everyone at Ultimate Comics’ favorite day of the year because they are able to help share comics with people who may have never read one before.

"There really isn’t anything better than throwing a big party and celebrating something that you love and that’s what Free Comic Book Day is for us," said Fallon. "There are so many special moments throughout the day. Helping a kid pick out their first comic book. Watching them get their photo taken with Supergirl or Spider-Man. Helping someone who hasn’t been in a comic shop in years remember how much they love the medium."

Comic publishers typically publish specific books for Free Comic Book Day, often previews for big crossover events or storylines for the year. There are kid-friendly comics to give away too, and Fallon said they make sure to have plenty on hand for these events since so many kids get their first comics on Free Comic Book Day.

But to Ultimate Comics and many local shops across the country, Free Comic Book Day isn't just about being handed a fresh book, it's about community.

Ultimate's Cary, Durham and Raleigh locations on Saturday hosted local comic creators and artists who were able to showcase their art to everyone who stopped by.

And you can't have comics without some cosplay. Fallon said a group of local cosplayers from The Variant were at all four Ultimate Comics locations Saturday to take photos.

"These cosplayers take time out of their busy days to show up at our stores with incredible costumes and take free photos with our guests," said Fallon. "It’s always a blast seeing kids get excited to meet their favorite superheroes in person."

At their largest event in Cary, a giant tent went up over the parking lot and tables highlighted local businesses and nonprofits. Blood Connection was also onsite in Cary accepting blood donations from those who wanted to give back.

Fallon said Ultimate Comics has participated in Free Comic Book Day every year since it was founded nearly 19 years ago. Like many events in 2022, this is the event’s first year going all out again since the pandemic. This is also Ultimate Comics’ first event since opening their new location at the Crabtree Valley Mall.

In years past, Fallon said they might see anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 people across all their stores, but this year Fallon said they believe over 3,000 people came out to enjoy Free Comic Book Day

"Our newest location in Crabtree Mall was a huge hit, and we definitely saw a lot of newcomers there who otherwise might not have found the event," said Fallon.

Something else to explain the high turnout? Fallon said comics are having a huge impact right now.

There's no argument that comic books are in style. Four out of the top 10 highest grossing movies of all time are based on a comic book property.

"We get new customers in the shop all the time who are excited to check out comics because they just saw a Marvel movie or saw something like Heartstopper on Netflix and want to check out the source material," said Fallon. "It’s great for us, because it gives us the chance to introduce them to the wider world of comics from there."

But what is it about comics that made thousands brave the rain to head out? Ultimate Comics answers it with their mission statement: "Comics are for everyone!"

"There are comics of every genre imaginable for every reading level and it’s our goal to put great stories in the hands of people who will love them," said Fallon. "We’ve designed our entire business to be friendly and welcoming to anyone who pops in the door, whether it be a die-hard collector coming to comb through our giant selection of back issues or someone who may have never read a comic before, but loves superhero movies."

At the end of the day, Fallon said it's the magic of comics that make days like Free Comic Book Day possible.