Local Store Will Join International Celebration Of An American Art Form

On Saturday, July 3, Cave Comics in Newtown will join with thousands of comic book shops around the world to celebrate the unique American art form that is comic books. The day has been dubbed “Free Comic Book Day,” and its goal is to introduce as many people to the wonders of comic books as possible.

“This is the third year for Free Comic Book Day,” said Pat Callanan, the owner of Cave Comics, “and every time it rolls around, it’s a tremendous success all over the world. We’re proud to be a part of this magnificent annual event.”

This year’s sequel, appropriately enough, falls the Saturday after the theatrical release of another sequel: Spider-Man 2, the hotly anticipated follow-up to the blockbuster Spider-Man movie.

In the course of Free Comic Book Day, stores will give away millions of comic books, ranging in subject matter from high-flying superhero adventure and intense slice-of-life to crime noir to kid-friendly humor and more.

“When you visit Cave Comics on July 3, you’ll find a great variety of free comics,” continued Mr Callanan. “There are comics for children, for families to enjoy together, for adults, and especially for people who think they would never read a comic book. Come by on July 3 and let us show you what’s available – for free!”

Unlike video stores, bookstores and movie theaters, comic book stores are usually independently owned and operated, with no national chains dominating the market. As a result, each store is as individual as its owner, a celebration of the incredible diversity in the comic book field.

Those who think comic books are “just for kids” or “old-fashioned” will be pleasantly surprised by the broad range of reading material available at their local comic bookstore.

“Along with our fellow comic shop owners around the world, those of us at Cave Comics want to spread the word that comics are alive and well in 2004,” Mr Callanan continued. “We invite everyone to come to Cave Comics on July 3 and see for themselves how vital, relevant, powerful, and just plain cool comic books are. Better yet, you get to do it for free!”

Regular updates, information about comic books, and lists of participating publishers (and their comics) are online at www.FreeComicBookDay.com.

Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 11 am and runs until 7 pm at Cave Comics, 57 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Call 426-4346 for more information.