For the fourth year running, the Sarasota County Library System will be participating in the annual Free Comic Book Day. This exciting event started off as a modest collaboration between North Sarasota library and a small local business, and has since expanded to become a popular system-wide happening that introduces kids of all ages to the comic book art form.
Free Comic Book Day started as an independent promotional event in 2002 at a California comic shop. In the years that have followed, the event has spread nationwide. These days, several major and indie comic publishers (including Marvel, DC, Bongo, and Dark Horse) have jumped on board to create dozens of special giveaway issues that are handed out by the armload on the first Saturday in May. The event is often tied to the release of a summer comic-themed movie, such as this year’s Iron Man II.
Educators and libraries sometimes partner with a local business to spread the fun even more. Our partnership started with Pop Comics and Games, which has sadly gone out of business. The collaboration continues, however, with our enthusiastic new partner, The Dark Side Comics.
That was written just before the big day, and the event turned out to be an enormous smash hit. At my library alone, to say nothing of the other libraries in the system that participated, something like 350 people showed up, more than doubling last year's attendance. We got a lot of pre-event coverage, such as my multiple appearances on the local news, so that helped.
We all know how important graphic novels have become in the publishing industry. Lists of the best comics and manga are regularly featured in Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, while superhero-themed movies have become annual blockbuster events. Free Comic Book Day continues the excitement, bringing in kids and parents on the first Saturday in May for a great time and a bag of free books!
All told, big success!
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