 Because this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Peter Laird, co-creator of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” comic-book series, and his turtle crew are scheduled to attend the show, along with more than two dozen other artists. |
As part of the town’s celebration of the international Free Comic Book Day, sponsored locally by Rochester Main Street and Jetpack Comics, characters from the “Star Wars” film series, including the slimy, evil blob known as Jabba the Hutt, will patrol the town and greet galactic-minded guests at The Cafe at the Governor’s Inn, 78 Wakefield St.
But the space-adventure stars won’t be the only heros and villains highlighted during a day dedicated to celebrating the comic-book industry. Green-hued creatures, from the raging, muscle-bound Hulk to the nimble-footed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, will be spotlighted along with X-Men’s razor-clawed Wolverine and the red-haired, freckle-faced, comic book teen icon Archie.
Last year about 1,000 people — mostly residents of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont — gathered in Rochester for Free Comic Book Day, said Al Spader, manager of JetPack Comics at 112 Portland St. The crush of comic book fans, many dressed as their favorite fictional characters, can cause quite a stir.
“Everybody wants to know what is going on,” Spader said of residents who come upon superhuman-looking creatures on the streets of downtown. “Typically, they are excited. The event gets kids free reading material and, as we often hear, there is a great push in the nation to focus on literacy. This is one way we can do it; to get help get kids excited about reading.”
Set to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rochester, Free Comic Book Day takes place the first Saturday in May, when participating comic-book shops in North America give away comic books free of charge to patrons. The first event was organized eight years ago nationally, while Rochester joined in three years ago, Spader said.
Throughout the country thousands of shops around the world collectively will give away more than 2 million comic books, event organizers said.
This year’s Free Comic Book Day also will come to Manchester, where Double Midnight Comics & Collectibles, 245 Maple St., has planned some special events from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“On average, everyone will be leaving with at least five comics, ranging from Marvel’s “Wolverine” to the “Simpsons” to DC Comics’ “Green Lantern,” “Star Wars,” “Pixars Cars” and many others,” said spokesman Chris Proulx. “Our good friend Spider-man will be stopping by to take pictures with fans.”
In addition, several comic book illustrators will offer free sketches beginning at 11:30 a.m. They include Blair Shedd, whose self-published comic “Wayward Son” is slated for release this year; Dan Larson, whose “Stick-man” comic debuts this spring; and Jeremy McHugh, who has created images for collectible card, role-playing and board games, including “World of Warcraft.”
“All three gentlemen will be in the artist’s alley at the upcoming Granite State Comicon at the Radisson Hotel/Center of New Hampshire (in downtown Manchester) on May 31,” Proulx said. “Everyone who attends Free Comic Book Day will also get a Double Midnight Comic Book Stimulus Package, which will include coupons for additional free comic books, discounts and reduced admission to the Comicon.”
Proulx said the Queen City shop also will host a Game Day beginning at 7 p.m. at the nearby Sweeney Post, which will house a sneak peak of the latest “Yu-Gi-Oh” card-game set, a “Magic the Gathering” tournament and board game demonstrations. For more information, log onto dmcomics.com or call 669-XMEN (9636).
“Comic books began in the 1930s as a unique American art form that has grown — like so many American forms of entertainment — to spread around the globe,” said national event organizers at freecomicbookday.com. “From Japanese businessmen reading ‘manga’ on the subways of Tokyo to French artists re-interpreting Proust with words and pictures, comics have changed entertainment and challenged perceptions. These days, there are comic books for every taste, from slam-bang, superhero adventures and thoughtful slice-of-life (stories) to thrilling science fiction and intense drama.”
In Rochester, about two dozen shops and businesses are slated to take part in Free Comic Book Day, including Jetpack Comics, Jenny-Wren Gallery, Tri-City Bicycles, Michael Charles Music, Distinctive Forest Creations, Union Street Antiques, Mel Flanagan’s Irish Café and Pub, Fat Tony’s Italian Restaurant, Victoria Reed’s Wedding Shop, Cocheco Equipment, Ben Franklin Crafts, Draft Pick Pub, and the Rochester Public Library.
Anyone visiting all locations will be entered into a drawing for an original piece of art by Ed McGuinness, illustrator of “The Hulk” comic. Maps can be picked up at Jetpack Comics, 112 Portland St. Visitors also can stop by Union Street Antiques & Collectibles, which will feature New Hampshire Richard Boire’s collection of comic-book memorabilia, including action figures, old comics and statues.
Because this year marks the 25th anniversary of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Peter Laird, co-creator of the comic-book series, and his turtle crew will be on hand, along with more than two dozen other artists, to sign autographs. (While there is no cost for the comics, there will be a fee for artwork.)
In addition, vendors will display their wares, provide refreshments, and create comic-book artwork at the Knights of Columbus, 40 Congress St.
“The wide array of comic books being published today ensures that readers of all ages — children, teens and adults — can find something appropriate that will stir their imaginations,” said Ralph DiBernardo of Jetpack Comics.
“We ... want to spread the word that comics are alive and well in 2009. Comic books and graphic novels are considered hip, hot, and smart,” he said.
Comic books have been propelled to the front ranks of pop culture in recent years, with many graphic novels being translated into blockbuster films, such as last year’s “Ironman,” based on the Marvel Comics graphic novel and starring Robert Downey Jr. as the jet-setting crime fighter. This year brings “Watchmen,” based on a comic written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, and featuring Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
For more information about Free Comic Book Day in Rochester, call Jetpack Comics at 330-9636 or log onto freecomicbookday.com/index.asp or jetpackcomics.com/fcbd2009home.html.
