Superheroes will rule at Best Comics International in New Hyde Park on Saturday, May 3 as the stores joins comic book shops worldwide to celebrate Free Comic Book Day.
“It reminds people that the comic stores at still here. It brings people into the store and it brings kids into the store,” Best Comics manager Zach Davino said.
Davino said last year’s event, which is always held on the first Monday of May, drew more than 500 customers into the store at 1300 Jericho Turnpike.
Prices on back issues of some comics are reduced to $1 for the day, he said. This year’s free comic is Marvel Comics “Guardians of the Galaxy” which Davino said will have regular release in August.
Best Comics International will also be hosting comics creators signing autographs.
Sean Chen, an artist known for his work on the Marvel Comics “Iron Man”, “Wolverine”, and “X-Men” titles will be signing comics at Best Comics from 11 a.m. until noon.
The creators of “Zombie-Proof”, J.C. Vaughn and Vincent Spencer, will also be signing from 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Vaughn, vice president of Gemstone Publishing, will also be signing copies of “24 Omnibus,” a comic book based on the Fox television series featuring Kiefer Sutherland.
Davino said this year’s Free Comic Book Day precedes the release of “Amazing Spiderman 2” and follows the release of a new series of “Amazing Spiderman” comics on Wednesday.
“We do a big sale the same day. People come in for the free comics and they leave with a little bit more sometimes,” Davino sadi. “There’s something for everyone on free comic day.”
More than 4.6 million comic books will be given away by participating stores in the U.S. and abroad.
Davino said superhero comics, particularly X-Men, Avengers, and Spiderman titles from Marvel and DC Comics, are always popular. The store also offers a range of action figures, primarily superheroes.
Davino said as comic genres have expanded over the years the demographics of its the customers has also expanded.
“It used to be mostly teenage guys and adult men. We have kids who come in now and a growing female readership – teenage girls buy material from all female teams,” Davino said.
Fairly tale comics appeal to the female demographic, he said.
Davino said the store’s geographic base is also broad with customers coming from New Hyde Park, Mineola, the Williston, Great Neck and Queens.
Best Comics International has been operating for the past 10 years under the ownership of Tom Best, whose comic book business was formerly located on Northern Boulevard in Little Neck.
“We at Best Comics want to spread the word that comics are perfect for today’s times,” Best said in a statement.
Free Comic Book Day runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Best Comics International.
More information is available by calling 516-328-1900 or check www.bestcomics.com for more information.
