By Michael Avila
Special to DNAinfo
MIDTOWN — It was a great day to be a comic book geek.
Saturday was national Free Comic Book Day, when specialty shops across Manhattan opened their doors to give away thousands of comic books published especially for the occasion.
The annual event is an opportunity for comic-book publishers, retailers and creators to put their best foot forward to bring new fans into the fold, especially younger readers. Nationwide, more than two million free comic books were given away.
The line to get into Midtown Comics, at 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, stretched all the way down the block. Fans began arriving at 7 a.m.
“I think we have the best turnout we’ve ever had [for Free Comic Book Day]," said Midtown Comics’ Gerry Gladston.
Comic book writer Jim Shooter signed copies of his Dark Horse comic book, “Dr. Solar and Magnus: Robot Fighter, " while at Hanley’s Universe in Midtown on 33rd Street, artist Dennis Calero drew free sketches for fans.
"What better way to get people to try something new than to give away free samples?" said Shooter.
Among the people enjoying the day were Bronx residents Dennis Lebron and his daughter Chloe. A fan for roughly 30 years, Lebron has passed on his love of comic books to his five-year-old daughter, who enjoys reading titles like “Sonic the Hedgehog" and “The Simpsons."
“This is like our father-daughter bonding day," Lebron said. “She reads the books on the train ride home, she really enjoys it."
The lingering irony for the comics industry is that some people still view them as "kid stuff." The truth is, comic book publishers only wish that were true.
Comics have struggled for a long time to attract new readers. Despite Hollywood’s current obsession with super heroes, comic book sales remain a fraction of what they were even 15 years ago. Comics have fallen behind other entertainment options like video games, TV and even young adult fantasy books such as “Twilight."
Shooter, an industry legend who wrote his first “Legion of Superheroes" story for DC Comics at the age of 14 and was also editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and Valiant, says the comic book industry "is working hard to correct its past problems."
“The industry has never really recovered" from a decline in the mid-90s, Shooter said. “We went through a bad time because of that. Now I think a lot of companies have put more emphasis again on what’s between the covers."
Part industry holiday, part recruiting drive, Free Comic Book Day was first proclaimed in 2002. Joe Field, a comics dealer in California, originated the idea. Always held on the first Saturday in May, the event now puts special emphasis on reaching out to the next generation of fans.
“The comic book industry has definitely improved in offering books for younger readers," according to Gladston of Midtown Comics. “Ten years ago, even five or six years ago, some could complain that there weren’t enough age-appropriate titles. Now, there are a ton of them."
Popular age-appropriate comics such as "Archie," "Sonic," "The Simpsons" and DC’s "Tiny Titans" were part of the FCBD giveaways, along with A-list superheroes such as "Iron Man," "Captain America" and "Superman."
It’s a battle for attention on the crowded shelves of comic shops, especially for independent comic book creators. Which is why New Jersey cartoonist Steve Mannion and “Robot 13" co-creator Thomas Hall spent Saturday meeting fans and signing comics at the Union Square comics shop, Forbidden Planet.
“It’s critical, because this is the one day of the year everyone knows about comics. There are a lot of kids, a lot of families that come in," said Hall. “Comic books aren’t just something that’s violent or crazy. There are books for everybody. There is something out there that you can enjoy. You have to be exposed to that."
The demand was so great for the free comics at Forbidden Planet, the store ran out of its allotment by 11 a.m. Manager Jean-Marie Whitley said employees gave away other issues from the store’s inventory so fans wouldn’t leave empty-handed.
That made Melianthe Kines and her eight-year-old son Kyle happy. Both are big super hero fans.
“I’m an Iron Man fan," said young Kyle. His mom meanwhile, professed her allegiance to Marvel’s band of melancholy mutant heroes, the X-Men.
For Lebron, Free Comic Book Day is already a family tradition. His daughter Chloe has accompanied him the past two years. In a few years, another family member will join them.
“My son’s not old enough yet, but in a few years he’ll be coming along too," the proud father said.
