Free Comic Book Day, a day when, as you may guess, comic book stores around the world pass out comic books for free, is this Saturday.
The event, now in its 16th year, aims to raise awareness and interest in the comic book, an original American art form created in the early twentieth century, according to the Free Comic Book Day website. It also celebrates independent comic book specialty shops. And we have quite a few of them right here in the Triangle.
Other WRAL Top Stories
The events are definitely kid friendly. Some of the shops will have meet and greets with characters and visits with local artists.
Comic books are great options for young readers with colorful pages featuring popular characters like My Little Pony, Scooby Doo and superheroes. My kids have enjoyed the Lumberjanes series and are huge fans of graphic novels. And though some think comics are easy reads, that's not really the case, said Ken Pleasant, owner of Capitol Comics II in Raleigh.
"We’e been in business for 31 to 32 years," he said. "I’ve had numerous parents come in after their kids take their SAT and say, 'My kid did great on the reading part, and I owe it to comic books.'"
"It's good if you just can get your kids reading, period, as far as I'm concerned," he said.
Pleasant said his store will have lots of comics to hand out for free to visitors on Saturday. Here are more details about Capitol Comics II and other Free Comic Book Day events in the Triangle:
Raleigh
Capitol Comics II, 5212 Hollyridge Dr., Raleigh. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday. Lots of free comics to choose from, along with visits from R2-D2 and BB-8 around 10 a.m.
Fight or Flight Comics, 6675 Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday. Free comic books for all ages available.
Ultimate Comics, 6320 Capital Blvd., Raleigh. Starting at 10 a.m., the shop, one of three in the Triangle, will have free and dollar comics, comic creators, signings, cosplay and more.
Enterprise Comics, which is located at the Raleigh Flea Market at the NC State Fairgrounds, also is participating on Saturday and will be handing out free comics. The shop is located along what is known as Restaurant Row during the fair next door to the 1853 Grill.
Durham
Atomic Empire, 3400 Westgate Dr., Durham. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday. Free comic books while supplies last. The shop also will have local artists selling their work and cosplayers on hand for photos.
Ultimate Comics, 6120-A Farrington Rd., Durham. Starting at 10 a.m., the shop, one of three in the Triangle, will have free and dollar comics, comic creators, signings, cosplay and more.
Cary
Ultimate Comics, 1301 Buck Jones Rd., Cary. Starting at 10 a.m., the shop, one of three in the Triangle, will have free and dollar comics, comic creators, signings, cosplay and more.
The Free Comic Book Day website has details about other comic book stores in the region that are celebrating the day by handing out free comic books.