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| Thursday, May 04, 2006 | (No comments posted.)
PORTAGE | The superheroes come cheap Saturday
Michael Hansen plans to give away 500 to 1,000 comic books featuring Superman, Batman, the X-Men and other tights-clad hero types. He owns Lightspeed Comics, Games and Toys in Portage, one of hundreds of specialty shops participating in Saturday's comic book giveaway. Free titles and quantities are limited, though, so don't think you can just waltz in and help yourself to whatever you find on the rack.
The comics giveaway has become an annual springtime rite at comic book shops across the country. Each year, the major comic book publishers -- DC Comics, Marvel and the like -- contribute scads of magazines to retailers to hand out.
"They give them away for free because they want to create awareness," Hansen said. "Comic books are out there. They're available, and they're not just for kids anymore."
They also tie in beautifully with upcoming movie releases, such as "X-Men: The Last Stand," due May 26 in theaters and "Superman Returns," set to open June 30, Hansen said.
Among the free titles for this year's giveaway is a Justice League Ultimate comic book, said Dan Scheffel, owner of Tenth Planet in Schererville.
"I think that will do well because the television show has done really well," Scheffel said.
Previous years have seen slim pickings among the free titles, Scheffel said, but this year's selection is pretty good. He said he expects to hand out hundreds of comic books during Saturday's event.
Comic books readers are overwhelmingly male, but the demographic skews a little higher than many people may think, Scheffel said. There are plenty of comic titles suitable for youngsters, but many are for the older reader, he said.
Your biggest buyers are the 18- to 25-year-olds because they have the most disposable income," he said. "It's more of an adult market."
Hansen said his average customer is in his mid-20s, although collectors often start in their teens or earlier.
"They remember the comics from their childhood, and many of them have been collecting for a long time," he said.
Specialty book shops across the nation will give away comic books on Saturday as part of Free Comic Book Day. Some area shops are among the participating stores:
Lightspeed Comics, Games and Toys, 5884 U.S. 6, Portage; (219) 764-7314.
Galactic Greg's, 1407 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso; (219) 464-0119.
Creative Comics, 216 E. Main St., Griffith; (219) 924-1600.
Tenth Planet, 200 W. Lincoln Highway, Schererville; (219) 322-2902.
Highland Card and Comic Shop, 2813 Jewett Ave., Highland; (219) 838--5330.
Stand Up Comics, 3427 Ridge Road, Lansing; (708) 474-6880.
Amazing Fantasy, 582 Torrence Ave., Calumet City; (708) 891-2260.
Source: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/
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