Bendable Media

If my six-year-old son has a favorite day of the year outside of his birthday, it’s probably Free Comic Book Day.

The excitement is building in our house since Free Comic Book Day is Saturday (May 1) — it’s always the first Saturday in May, as my boy would explain. The day provides just what the name implies: free comic books, available from your local comic book retailer.

I’m a big believer that comic books encourage young readers. I’ve been reading comic books with my son since he was three, most often at night before bed. At first, we read a lot of Spider-Man but now he prefers Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men. (Our most recent reading vice: Jeff Kinney’s brilliant “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. I mostly read these books to the boy but he has started to read to me a bit.)

Some parents may shudder at the thought of their young kids reading comics, and that is accurate for many titles. But there are a lot of titles designed just for kids, with no sexual overtones and minimal violence. Yes, there are battles but in kid-themed comic books, the heroes always prevail over the villains.

We will head to our favorite Chicago comic shop — Brainstorm Comics — and also stop by our second favorite, Vigalante Press. Both stores, as well as countless comic book shops across the country, will have special promotions to go along with the free comic books. The Free Comic Book Day website has a store locator so you can find a shop by you. Just enter your zip code.

Comic book creators flood the local stores on Free Comic Book Day so it’s also a great opportunity to meet an illustrator or writer. Here’s a list of signings across the country.

Finally, here’s a list of the free titles you can pick up on Free Comic Book Day — it includes the three comics pictured on this post. If you’ve never introduced comics to your kids, spend an hour Saturday at a comic book shop and grab some free titles. I guarantee that your kids will be thoroughly entertained — and motivated to read.

Related Posts, Bendable Gadgets:

• A camping tool also shines for reading at night
• Reading with Pictures brings comics to the classroom
• Hugh Jackman explains the importance of Free Comic Book Day