Comics reaching out for new generation of readers
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Staff Writer
Gad-ZOOKS, Spider-Man! The day after your new movie opens, some free issues of your comic book will be finding their way into the hands of the next generation of readers!
Advertiser library photo
Or, at least, that's the aim of comic-book stores and some libraries taking part in Free Comic Book Day on May 4. The event is part of the "@ your library" campaign, which organizers hope will increase traffic at the libraries.
Free comic books from the "Ultimate Spider-Man" series and other titles await those who visit selected local libraries and comic-book stores on May 4. The giveaway is part of a campaign that organizers hope will increase interest in libraries.
People who show up that day at Collector Maniacs at 3571 Wai'alae, one of the participating stores, will get to choose a free comic from these titles: "Star Wars Tales, a Jedi's Weapon" (Dark Horse), "Justice League Adventures" (DC Comics), "Tomb Raider" (Image Comic) or "Ultimate Spider-Man" (Marvel). Other titles also may be available.
The comic book companies are providing the stores with discounted reprints from 2000 and later for the project, which also aims to introduce the characters to a new generation of readers, said Duane Chang of Collector Maniacs. Some children already regularly fork over $2 or more every month to feed their superhero comic habit, he said.
Other participating stores, according to the www.freecomicbookday.com Web site, include Gecko Books & Comics (3613 Wai'alae Ave. and 1247 G Kailua Road); Jelly's (98-023 Hekaha St.) and Blue Moos (803 Kamehameha Highway, #207).
The free comic books are only available while supplies last, and all stores may not have the same selection.
Libraries taking part: McCully-Mo'ili'ili (2211 S. King St.) and Waikiki (400 Kapahulu Ave.).
