April 29--As if this weekend wasn't big enough for geeks, many of whom are expected to pack into movie theaters for the release of "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
Some Chicago comic book stores will be hosting events and giving away free comic books Saturday as part of Free Comic Book Day, an annual nationwide event on the first Saturday in May intended lure customers into comics stores with giveaways. This year's event comes just days after the release of the "Avengers" sequel, a Marvel Comics property predicted to be a box-office smash.
"It's almost like a comic book holiday," said Matt Streets, manager of Graham Crackers Comics, 77 E. Madison St. in the Loop. "The movie just drives more publicity and more attraction" to comic books.
At Streets' store, customers can get their favorite superhero or character drawn for free by Chicago artists Josep Blas and Alex Rosado from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.; and customers can also snag up to three free comics, including a Comic Book Day special issue, "DC Comics: Divergence," a sneak peak at the publisher's upcoming storylines.
Comic Book Day is "without a doubt, our single busiest day of the year. We're hoping this year is our biggest yet," Streets said.
At First Aid Comics, at 1142 W. Taylor St. on the Near West Side, there will be free face painting and discounted comic books, owner Tom Seymour said. Comic book fans can typically get four or five comic books or more for free. "As it gets later in the day, I'll be a lot more liberal" with the giveaway, Seymour said. Stores typically get the comic books free from publishers to distribute.
Customers can also bring in a recept from the Near West Side store to the First Aid Comics store at 1617 E. 55th St. in Hyde Park to be entered into a drawing for prizes, Seymour said.
At Brainstorm Comics, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park, customers can get three to four free comic books and play Xbox One games, owner Sean Akins said. Young "Avengers" fans can also snag a free movie poster to color. Akins said the "Avengers" movie release may get customers more excited for Comic Book Day.
"I think it's a good chance of people getting a little more amped up for it. You never know for sure. It doesn't hurt there is such a big event," Akins said.
Go to freecomicbookday.com for more information about Free Comic Book Day and to find participating stores.
