Patrick O’Connor, Psy.D. developed Comicspedia (http://www.comicspedia.net), an online tool that assists therapists and educators in finding comic books to bring into therapy and the classroom. Free Comic Book Day lands on the first Saturday of May every year (this year, May 5th). On this day, comic book shops all across the United States offer a special selection of free comic books featuring very popular characters – it’s the perfect time to get into comics! This five-part blog series will cover how comics like these can improve our lives, from fostering creative thinking, to enhancing literacy, and more.
Free Comic Book Day is a great opportunity for people of all ages to find their unique interest. This year, over 30 different titles will be offered for free at most comic book shops. Some of these include The Avengers, Peanuts, Dinosaurs vs. Aliens, Sonic the Hedgehog, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and even a preview of a graphic novel about Elvis, featuring the legendary Stan Lee as one of its authors! This is the perfect time of year for people curious about comic books to check them out – racks and racks of comics, with many of them being completely free, covering nearly every interest!
This can be such a validating experience. Many people don’t know the vast range of subjects covered by comic books – it’s not just superheroes in tights! Comic book shops are a treasure trove of literature. Most of the time, I pick up my subscribed comics, browse a little, and walk out. But, every now and then, I will spend half an afternoon exploring the depths of back issues, new titles, and talk to the shop owners about what’s popular or what’s coming up in a few months. Hit up your local comic book shop on May 5th and discover the wealth of books related to your interests!
