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Free comics to give preview of summer's movie releases

Today 10 area shops will give away tales of Batman and more before some of them leap to the big screen.

By ADRIENNE P. SAMUELS
Published May 7, 2005

Movie critics aren't the only ones getting a sneak peek at this summer's comic book-related movies.

Comic fans - and comic fan wanna-bes - who stop b y comic stores today can get a free copy of books whose release correlates with this summer's anticipated movie blockbusters, including the last of the Star Wars prequels, tales of the Fantastic Four or the beginnings of Batman. For a list of retailers, see www.freecomicbookday.com.)

Free Comic Book Day is in its fourth year.

To date, organizers say it has introduced, or reintroduced, tens of thousands of fans to the genre. Ten comic stores in the Tampa Bay area are participating.

"We're hoping we're packed," said Pat Potter, who owns Comic World, at 2132 E Bay Drive in Largo's Keene Plaza Shopping Center. "We've got a Batman Strikes comic book, which is from the animated series. Marvel put together a comic with the Fantastic Four and Spidey."

Not all the free books are strictly for movie buffs. Archie is reappearing today with an old friend named Katy Keene. And the tale of Robin Hood gets retold - Japanese-style - with Ronin Hood of the 47 Samurai, a story of feudal Japan.

Budding illustrators will take to Impact University, another comic book freebie that shows how to create and ink characters.

It's no coincidence that Free Comic Book Day seems to come a week or two before summer movie madness.

"The superhero-related movies are all coming out," said William Insignares, owner of Demolition Comics at 4049 S Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. "Those comic books usually increase in value and become even more desirable."

Most stores saw a slight jump in sales with the spring release of Sin City, a movie based on a popular graphic novel. Though the Sin City book is not part of the free comic day promotion, it's still available for sale.

"Bad movies don't help us any," said Paul Gambrell, manager of Emerald City Comics and Collectibles, at 2475 McMullen-Booth Road in Clearwater. "Any time there is a successful or well-received comic book movie, that brings in customers. That's absolutely intentional."

Most stores will have a section labeled free comics. But the other stuff, especially those for adults (read: bloody, sexual or violent content) will be stashed elsewhere in the stores at regular price.

But some stores are willing to bargain. Over at Comic World in Largo, Potter plans to dole out deals on older books.

Visitors also can learn about Potter's plans to create a traveling comic book university of sorts to teach people how to draw Batman, just in time for the anticipated June 17 release of the movie Batman Begins.

All the hoopla is happening none too soon. Potter said he suffered a bit after the hurricanes. Comic books aren't exactly a necessity, so the industry does what it must to make sales before and after disaster strikes.

"We had to really work hard to catch things up," Potter said. "Last year at this time, we were packed."

Adrienne Samuels can be reached at 445-4157 or samuels@sptimes.com

For a list of area comic book stores participating in Free Comic Book Day, visit www.freecomicbookday.com

[Last modified May 7, 2005, 01:02:18]