Modesto-area shops celebrate 15th Free Comic Book Day

As if Star Wars Day (“May the Fourth be with you!”) wasn’t enough fun for one week, Saturday is Free Comic Book Day. The international event is marking its 15th year.

According to the event website, www.freecomicbookday.com, over 2,300 comic-book shops across North America and around the world will give out more than 6 million books. “This annual event is one of the most anticipated comic-book celebrations of the year as retailers prepare to welcome curious, first-time comic readers and devout comic-book fans into their stores for fun events and free comics,” it says.

Among the dozens of titles this year are Marvel’s “Civil War,” DC’s “Suicide Squad,” “DC Superhero Girls,” “Doctor Who,” “Pokémon,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “Bongo.”

In Modesto, Bonanza Books & Comics once again is celebrating with not just free comics but costumed heroes and visiting comic artists.

Costumed characters, appearing from 10 a.m. to noon, include, from “Star Wars,” Darth Vader, Jedi knights, stormtroopers and their variations, Princess Leia and Boba Fett.

Marvel characters will include Capt. America, Iron Man, Elektra, Hawkeye, Thor, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man and more.

From the DC universe will be Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Joker, Harley Quinn, Catwoman and others.

Comic-book artists will do drawings, sign autographs and sell their works between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. They include Ethen Beavers (Batman, Superman, “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” titles), Patrick Barr (“Carla Calavaris”), Jeremiah Perkins (graphic artist), Adam Harris ( “The Block”) and David Davidson (“Armadilla das Invincible”).

The overall event at Bonanza runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is at 2308 McHenry Ave. To learn more, go to www.bonanzabooks.net or call 209-529-0415.

Participating stores in the region include:

▪ Banzai Cards and Comics, 1100 Carver Road, Suite 4, Modesto, 209-846-9131

▪ Red Sky Comics, 617 W. Main St., Merced, 209-726-0667

▪ Comics Plus, 1305 Center Ave., Suite B, Los Banos, 209-827-8847

▪ Fantastic Collectibles, 162 W. Center St., Manteca, 209-647-4651

This story was originally published May 4, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Modesto-area shops celebrate 15th Free Comic Book Day."