Superheroes get a chance to show off Saturday, May 3 for the seventh annual Free Comic Book Day. It’s as simple as it sounds: walk into one of the participating stores and pick up a free book. More than 40 publishers are participating by releasing special edition comic books for the event, which is celebrated in the United States and 30 other countries. Joe Field, president of ComicsPRO, the comic specialty retailer trade organization, is the founder of Free Comic Book Day. The kickoff event in May 2002 was designed to reach new readers, call back former ones and thank current fans. For more information, visit www.freecomicbookday.com.
ComicsPRO member stores in the area participating in Free Comic Book Day include:
Vienna: Big Planet Comics, 426 Maple Ave. E., 703-242-9412
Fairfax: Phoenix Comics, University Mall, 10647 Braddock Road, 703-250-6479
Falls Church: Hole in the Wall Books, 905 W. Broad St., 703-536-2511
Lansdowne: Phoenix Comics, Lansdowne Town Centre, 19340 Promenade Drive N-104, 703-437-9530
Springfield: NOVA Comics, 6324 Springfield Plaza, 703-912-6682
Alexandria: Aftertime Comics, 1304 King St., 703-698-5298
Washington, D.C.: Big Planet Comics, 3145 Dumbarton St. NW, 202-342-1961; Fantom Comics, 4500 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 202-362-5051 and Union Station Street Level West Hall, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE, 202-216-9478
Bethesda: Big Planet Comics, 4908 Fairmont Ave., 301-654-6856
Gaithersburg: Beyond Comics, Lakeforest Mall , 701 Russell Ave., 301-216-0007
Woodbridge: Painted Visions Comics, 3065 Golansky Blvd., 703-730-8457
College Park: Big Planet Comics, 7315 Baltimore Ave., 301-699-0498