Free Comic Book Day lures new readers into stores

IOWA CITY — May 7 marks Free Comic Book Day for comic book retailers across the country.

The event, launched in 2002, sees retailers give away special editions of comic books. This year's titles include comics featuring DC and Marvel characters, Archie, Doctor Who, Bob's Burgers and SpongeBob SquarePants. A complete listing of this year's free comics is available at www.freecomicbookday.com.

Free Comic Book day also comes in the midst of yet another parade of comic-inspired movies that include 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,' 'Captain America: Civil War,' 'X-Men: Apocalypse' and 'Suicide Squad.'

However, as Zach Power — a Daydreams Comics employee since 2004 and owner for more than six years — explained, the popularity of super hero films doesn't necessarily translate to sales.

Why is Free Comic Book Day such a big deal for retailers?

It's really just a way to help get new people in the door if they're not familiar with comics. It's kind of a no-strings-attached chance to see what the industry is about.

It's a lot of fun, it's a good time.

What can customers expect at Daydreams Comics this year?

We're going to have four professional comic creators in throughout the day. Obviously we'll have free comics. We'll be doing some special sales.

We're going to actually have a Daydreams exclusive release that you can only buy at the shop, of a major company product. And the Iowa City Animal Center is also going to be on hand working our donation table.

How has the event changed over the years?

Well, when I started, we didn't participate. The first couple of years nobody showed much interest in the customer side. At the time, it didn't seem like something worth putting effort into.

I think we started doing it again, I want to say in 2008, maybe 2007. It started off small, and it's just gotten bigger and bigger every year.

What's popular in comics these days?

For us, Image Comics does really well. Some of the new Marvel stuff has done really well.

The new 'Star Wars' one Marvel is doing has been well-received. I'd say the new 'Fight Club' book (from Dark Horse Comics) did well.

How has the popularity of the comic-book movie genre affected interest in comics?

For us, very minimally. Really, what it boils down to is most people that are into the movie stuff really don't want to spend the time and/or money and/or effort to get into the comic book side of things.

I think it's more of a cultural thing where people just want to be entertained. ...

It doesn't translate from the big screen to the print for us. It's driven by quality writing and good content as opposed to what's the hot new movie of the month, which I'll take any time.

Appearing at Daydreams Comics this year for Free Comic Book Day are:

• Comic-book artist, children's book illustrator and writer Skottie Young.

• Comic-book artist and illustrator Kat Leyh.

• Comic-book artist, penciler and writer Phil Hester.

• Comic-book artist Eric Gapstur.