This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Free Comic Book Day Offers A Chance to Arm Wrestle Superman

Several St. Louis comic book shops offer special activities and merchandise on Free Comic Book Day.

Geeks love their genre-specific holidays, such as May the Fourth be With You (May 4) and Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 17). Their favorite may be Free Comic Book Day, the first Saturday in May.

“It’s unbelievably popular,” said Mike Brodeur, general manager of , in Old Town Saint Charles. “In retail, you develop an eye for names and faces. There are a few Free Comic Book Day customers we only see once a year, but we see them every year.” The free comics lure them in, but he said nearly all of the yearly customers leave with a large stash of purchased comics.

A.J. Trujillo, co-owner of Star Clipper in the Delmar Loop, said that although it’s an industrywide thank you to comic customers, many of the Free Comic Book Day comics are aimed at younger audiences. 

Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It’s a way to remind families that comics are a great way to share the pleasure of reading together,” she said. She said kids who have difficulty reading often discover a real love of the written word when they receive a comic book.

“It’s not just kids' comics,” said Paul Kortjohn, an employee at Newcastle Comics in Maryland Heights. “There’s something for everyone. Marvel puts out a lot of first issues. This year, I think the big hit will be from Image with (Robert) Kirkman’s Super Dinosaur #1.”

Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Brodeur said he really enjoys seeing the Fantasy Shop full of families on Free Comic Book Day.

“I hate to admit it, but it’s painfully known among publishers and retailers in the industry that comics have an aging demographic,” Brodeur said. “I’m 36 and have been reading comics since I was 18. A lot of the guys reading comics are in their 50s or 60s. Younger people aren’t gravitating to comics, and if they are, they’re going online. Free Comic Book Day is about introducing a new generation to that love of the medium.”

Trujillo said she loves seeing how excited kids get when they’re handed a stack of free comics. “Comics aren’t just superheroes anymore. There’s a real renaissance in the genre. Romance, horror, noir. One of the real beauties of the medium is, like TV or movies, it can stay with you for a lifetime, adding depth as you grow older.”

Both Trujillo and Brodeur acknowledged that the overall aging demographics of readers means some parents might be surprised by the adult subject matter in many mainstream comics.

Trujillo pointed out Starclipper’s large all-ages section. “I reassure parents, older people, fans of all ages who may have fallen out of the habit of comic reading, that there really are appropriate comics for readers of every age.”

Sometimes when a father who hasn’t read comics since he was a boy brings a child to a comic store, he’ll pull the father over Brodeur said. Then he'll explain that because these days dad is the target demographic, he might want to be selective about his child’s comic choices.

“A lot of parents come in because their kids aren’t really developing an interest or strong skills in reading,” Brodeur said. “Comics are great for that, but some have mature content. I think they’re trying to make a positive impact on getting kids back into comics with Free Comic Book Day.”

Kortjohn at Newcastle Comics said the event brings out big crowds every year. The most popular free comics are gone in the first hour after opening. “A lot of people come out. It’s fun to talk to them.”

Broedur agreed. “I love to share the hobby with people. For me, it’s a wonderful opportunity to talk to the uninitiated, people who aren’t fans of the medium. They come into the store and you get to geek out and share that love with them. Hopefully, they’ll discover a passion for it, too.”

While Newcastle Comics isn’t holding any special events in conjunction with Free Comic Book Day, The Fantasy Shop will be open extended hours and, in honor of the shop’s 30th anniversary, any back issue priced for less than $10 will be on sale for 30 cents all weekend.

Starclipper is making the entire day a party. Ten artists will be on the sidewalk doodling and discussing the craft and love of comics. The store will host live music indoors all day, from bands like Vanilla Beans, Scripts N Screwz and Ra Ra Robot. In addition, people of all ages can also have their photos taken with Green Lantern and arm-wrestle Superman.

Trujillo said her favorite thing about Free Comic Book Day is that it’s become so well known in such little time. “There’s a delight when people talk about it. It’s a busy day, a big fun, exciting day. I love the fact that people anticipate it. Anyone who walks in the door that day knows it’s Free Comic Book Day, and they can’t wait.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from University City