20 years of Free Comic Books you say?!

 

As a child, I used to read the Archie comics and all the Harvey Comics favourites - Casper the Friendly Ghost, Hot Stuff the Little Devil, Little Audrey, Little Dot, Baby Huey, Richie Rich and the list goes on!

That was my introduction into the wonderful world of comic books and as I write this I have flashbacks of beautiful memories of my mum and me reading these treasures. As I got older, Batman movies started appearing, piquing my interest which solidified once Spiderman reached the small screen and became my favourite superhero of all time. Still is despite my growing list of 'other favourites', I will always be a webhead.

Around that time I bought my very first comic book, I can't remember how old I was, around 13 maybe. I used to buy a magazine called Top 40 Music Magazine when I could afford it and there it was. Gen13, a teaser comic book really but mine. I still have it although young me didn't really look after it.

It is only years into my adulthood that I started collecting and became really into the medium, say my late twenties to early thirties. Basically when I gained friends and boyfriends who could afford comic books to gift me as well as figurines etc. I only started properly collecting when I found the comic book store in Cape Town - Readers Den and my whole world changed. 

I never thought I would be silently going through a wrack of comic books, surrounded by figurines in the silence of comic book awesomeness. It was everything I imagined and more from TV shows and movies - nerd bliss.

Readers Den was my gateway drug to a whole new world which led me to Free Comic Book Day. Yes, you heard me free comic books!

Way back in 2001 Joe Field, a retailer in comic books based in California proposed the idea based on how successful the films based on comic books were. The whole point is to promote reading by supporting the medium and encouraging people to buy comic books and support local comic book stores. 

It is held every year around the first weekend of May and often coincides with a movie release or new comic book promotion. My first comic book day was a few years ago and my Gods I was excited and poor. I clearly didn't have enough money to buy everything and I wished I could be there forever. Surrounded by Cosplay, standing in line for autographs, watching panels, supporting local artists, getting free comic books..!

I recall standing in line the one time with a friend who was asking me who the one Cosplayer was only to be scared out of his mind as the creature flared its arms at him. It was a Creeper from Minesweeper and I always think about that and laugh. Also, video games have their own comic books, the genre is immense.

Comic books are an excellent medium for kids to get into reading and should be encouraged. I am a firm supporter of any medium that gets people into reading. It boggles the mind that so many see it as trash compared to books. Comic books are amazing and encourage imagination plus boosts creativity. It's all win for any age.

COVID almost disrupted Free Comic Book Day last year so the decision was made to make it last a month so that local retailers could adhere to precautions and safety protocols. I miss the grand event but am glad that I still get to support Readers Den and the industry each year. 

My collection is vast and with so many titles available these days, the perfect comic book for you is within reach. In fact so many are series now - The Walking Dead, The Umbrella Academy, Sweet Tooth and  Locke and Key comes to mind. In fact, The Sandman is being filmed and that is a new obsession for both me and The Husband. He listens to audiobooks and the timing of his new hobby and the release of The Sandman on audible was perfect. Lucifer is based on one of the characters and recently ended on Netflix so if you're a fan then maybe have a look at the original.

I won't touch on the movies because those are covered by paid writers. I just wish to inform you that every year you can get a free comic book so do it. I bet you didn't know there was a comic book store in your city but when you find this magical place you'll thank me.

Today I will be perusing various shelves and getting my second free comic book for the year. I encourage you to get yours.




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