Like comics? Then you'll enjoy Free Comic Book Day at Manatee County Public Libraries
SPEAKING VOLUMeS
For the fourth year in a row, Manatee County public libraries will celebrate Free Comic Book Day on May 7 at all of our locations. Kids and teens can go to any location beginning at 11 a.m. to pick up a couple of comics, candy, and even enjoy some fun programs.
Free Comic Book Day, a nationwide event, celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, just as the popularity of comics and movies based on superheroes has soared.
In the mid-'80s, the publication of "Watchmen," "Maus" and "Batman: the Dark Knight Returns" ushered in a new age of sophisticated comic book storytelling. Previously, the "Superman" movies starring Christopher Reeve were the only comic superhero page-to-film adaptations that were successful blockbusters. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Batman, Spiderman, Avengers, X-Men, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, in all their many movie versions, joined the fray, creating what is now a $100 billion a year industry.
The popularity of comics and superhero movies is in evidence at the box office and at San Diego Comic-Con, held every year in July. More than 100,000 artists, writers, computer geeks, toy collectors, and caped crusaders flood the San Diego Convention Center for three days of one of the coolest annual conventions in the country. Every major comic book and graphic novel publisher has a booth at Comic-Con as well as technology companies vying to show off their newest gadgets. Discussion panels consisting of actors and directors, and movie previews, are a very popular fan favorite.
As the 21st century has progressed, more unusual superhero movies have become more prevalent, like "Big Hero 6," about a young boy who re-designs an inflatable robot in a futuristic San Francisco and joins a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes; and "Guardians of the Galaxy," a heartwarming, action-packed and somewhat goofy take on superhero misfits who reluctantly band together to fight off evil space privateers.
"Ant-Man," starring comedic actor Paul Rudd, follows an ex-convict who is selected for an experimental super-suit which turns him into the size of an ant and enables him to pull off a heist that will actually save the world.
If you prefer more conventional heroes in a science fiction setting, then Star Wars is for you! Did you miss "Episode VIII: The Force Awakens" in theaters? You're in luck; the Manatee County Public Library has the DVD in our system now, as well as all of the other movies mentioned.
Check out our catalog at manatee.polarislibrary.com, and put some on reserve today. Or check out our online movie and digital comics selection from Hoopla! Find out more at www.mymanatee.org/library.
Ericka Dow, is the information services department supervisor at the Central Library.
This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Like comics? Then you'll enjoy Free Comic Book Day at Manatee County Public Libraries ."