What do you get when you combine Free Comic Book Day with Star Wars Day? Lots of fun and activities for keiki at the Kailua-Kona Public Library on Saturday.
In its second year, the event drew scores of kids of all ages to celebrate “May the Fourth Be With You” and receive a free comic book.
Free Comic Book Day is a national event held the first Saturday of May. According to Presenting Sponsor CGC Comics, Free Comic Book Day emerged from the collaborative efforts of comic book retailers, publishers and distributors. Conceived by Joe Field, the event was first proposed during a meeting of retailers in 2001 as a way to attract new readers to the medium.
With the support of Diamond Comic Distributors and major publishers like Marvel and DC Comics, the inaugural Free Comic Book Day took place on May 4, 2002, with over 2,000 comic book stores participating.
CGC’s website explains the impact of Free Comic Book Day.
“It extends beyond its role as a marketing tool for the comic book industry. It serves as a celebration of the art form, encouraging literacy and creativity among readers of all ages. FCBD provides an opportunity for fans to engage with their favorite characters and discover new stories, while also supporting local businesses. Moreover, the event promotes inclusivity by featuring a range of genres and creators, reflecting the growing diversity within the comic book industry,” it reads.
On Saturday, eager keiki received an “Event Passport” upon check-in, where they could receive stamps for completing activities to earn raffle tickets for fun prizes including books and action figures.
There was a wide variety of comic titles and genres, separated by age levels, for participants to choose for their free book. In addition costumes were welcome, free pizza and drinks from Kona Crust were handed out and a short film festival was presented by UH Manoa film students.
This year, with the date of the Free Comic Book Day coinciding with Star Wars Day, the library also held lightsaber making class.
James Randall Caibry was one of the first in line waiting for the library to open. He found out about it because he is a frequent patron of the library.
“I used to do Comic Book Days in Oklahoma, but it’s something I haven’t done in years,” said the teenager. “Last year I dressed up in costume and was the first one here and won an action figure. I ran over to Wonderberry’s Comics in Lanihau Center and got a bag of comics.”
This year he dressed up as Spider Man crossed with Star Wars and called himself Spider Jedi or Darth Symbiotes.
Dominic Lougee tried to narrow down his choice for the free comic book. “I can’t decide,” he said, narrowing it down to two. With an eeny meeny miney moe, he made his choice.
“I always enjoy the library. It’s a good place to go,” said Caibry.