Free Comic Book Day to usher in mini
Mori Kessler on May 1, 2014 in Local News, News -No commentsST. GEORGE - Many look forward to the first weekend in May with anticipation and excitement. Some will be participants, while others will be spectators or perhaps even volunteers. For each it is a memorable event they hope to revisit next year. What is this event they anxiously wait for? It's Free Comic Book Day, a day when comic book stores across the nation and the globe celebrate and promote the reading of comics by giving away free comic books to fans young and old.
Well, there is the Ironman 70.3 St. George this weekend too, if you're into that sort of thing, but that's not what this article is about, it's about Free Comic Day and something else called St. George Comic Con.
Yes, you read that right: St. George Comic Con.
Now in its 13 th year, 2014 marks the biggest Free Comic Book Day that David Roland, owner of Comics Plus, has prepared for. Not only will there be free comic books, but also seven guests that include comic books artists and authors. A costume contest is also planned. There will be free comics too - lots of free comics.
'I have so many guests coming,' Roland said. 'It's past Free Comic Book Day, it's mini-convention...We're just emulating that on a smaller scale.'
In all, 60 free comic book titles will be offered Saturday, making it one of the largest Free Comic Book Days ever, according to a press release from Diamond Comic Distributors. Over 2,000 stores will be participating and over 4.6 million free comic books will be given away.
Free titles include 'Teen Titans Go,' 'The Simpsons,' 'Hello Kitty,' 'Grimm Fairy Tales,' 'Transformers vs. G.I. Joe,' and 'Guardians of the Galaxy.' The latter is the inspiration for the upcoming Hollywood movie.
'Obviously there's something to (comic books), or else Hollywood wouldn't be so gungho' about making comic book movies, Roland said.
Popular comic book movies of recent years have included adaptations of Marvel Comics' 'The Avengers,' 'Thor,' Captain America,' and 'Iron Man.'
Many people tell Roland they are comic book fans because they love the movies, however, he often corrects them, he said. They are comic book movie fans, not necessarily comic book fans - yet. 'If the movies are good, imagine how good the stories are - read the comic book,' he said.
There will be a bit of something for everyone at Comics Plus this Saturday. Like any entertainment medium, the stories and art found in comic books cover nearly any genre imaginable, from the staple superhero titles, to science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance and even adaptations of classic works like Moby Dick and Pride and Prejudice. On Free Comic Book Day, its free for the taking.
'It's a fun family day-event, and it's free,' Roland said.
Along with free comics, this year's Free Comic Book Day/St. George Comic Con will feature the following guests:
Chad Hardin: Currently residing in Cedar City, Hardin is a comic book artist who has done work for Marvel and DC Comics, as well as independent publishers. He has also done work for video games. He currently is the artist behind the DC series 'Harley Quinn.'
Derek Hunter: An award-winning background designer for Cartoon Network's 'Adventure Time.' His work has also been featured in Image Comics and on The Disney Channel, Fox, and MTV Studios.
Events
Ol Raz: Independent comic publisher and artist behind Crazy Monkey Inc. He created his own comic imprint after building a name for himself on the independent comic book circuit.
Amanda Gerry and Christy Hall: Local authors of the 'Shardwell' series. Both are teachers at an area charter school and love the fantasy genre. Gerry loves video games and shooting zombies, while Hall also enjoys science fiction and going on field trips with the school's Star Wars club.
George Harmon: Author of the 'Wearing the Cape' series and associated works based on a world filled with superheroes and villains. He published through KDP and Createspace in mid-2011 with some success. 'Wearing the Cape' earned a 4.5 star Amazon rating and spent most of 2012 ranked no. 1 in its Amazon category.
Event recap Related
David Farland: A New York Times best-selling science fiction and fantasy author, Farland has written over 50 novels. Among those are the 'Runelord' series, 'Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leia,' and titles related to 'The Mummy' movie franchise. He has also trained other authors, such as Brandon Mull, Stephanie Meyer, and Brandon Sanderson.
Free Comic Book Day/St. George Comic Con will be held as Comics Plus at 348 West St. George Blvd in St. George from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday.
Along with featured guests, day events will include live table-top game demonstrations, a cosplay (costume) contest, and a 'Magic the Gathering: Journey into Nyx' launch party.
Check the St. George Comic Con website for more details and times of specific events.
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