Comics shops offer a super day of free books

Comic-book fans, assemble! This weekend brings not only the opening of “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” but the return of Free Comic Book Day.

This is year 14 for Free Comic Book Day, an international celebration of the medium that launched characters from Ant-Man to Zod, as well as movie and TV hits including “The Walking Dead,” “Sin City” and the “Men in Black” series.

The event always is held the first Saturday in May to coincide with the release of a superhero movie. “Age of Ultron” – reuniting Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner/Hulk, Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers/Captain America, Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and Modesto native Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton/Hawkeye characters – opens Friday.

Locally, five stores from Manteca to Merced are participating, with a couple having special attractions beyond the giveaway of special-edition comic books.

Comics offered may vary by store, but the titles include popular series such as Scooby-Doo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Transformers, Sonic the Hedgehog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokémon and, of course, The Avengers.

Modesto’s Bonanza Books & Comics, at 2308 McHenry Ave., has taken part in Free Comic Book Day since the event’s inception. It’s always been a sight to see for passing motorists, with “Star Wars” characters from the 501st Legion Central California Garrison, including Darth Vader, stormtroopers, Jedi Knights and bounty hunters, in front of the shop to greet fans and pose for photos.

Over the years, the lineup of costumed characters has changed and grown, and this year includes Marvel and DC heroes and villains Black Widow, She-Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Hawkeye, Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, the Joker, the Crow, Elektra, Ms. Marvel and Huntress.

Fans also are encouraged to dress in costume for the day, said Bonanza owner Jeff Allen.

Another staple of Bonanza’s Free Comic Book Day celebration has been a welcoming of area artists who work in the field. The artists demonstrating their talent and selling works this year include Ethen Beavers, who has done Batman, Superman, “Star Wars,” Indiana Jones and Samurai Jack books; Patrick Barr; Jeremiah Perkins; Chad Pickrel; and Adam Harris.

At Bonanza, Free Comic Book Day runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The costumed characters will be on hand from about 10 a.m. to noon, and the artists from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call (209) 529-0415. Learn more at www.bonanzabooks.net and www.freecomicbookday.com.

According to the Free Comic Book Day website, other participating comic book stores include:

▪ Krier’s Cards & Comics, 3900 Pelandale Ave., Suite 305, Modesto. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (209) 522-0511.

▪ Red Sky Comics, 617 W. Main St., Merced. Noon to 7 p.m. (209) 726-0667. www.facebook.com/redskycomics. Emma-gination Cosplay will be at Red Sky for Free Comic Book Day.

▪ Fantastic Collectibles & Gifts, 162 W. Center St., Manteca. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (209) 647-4651. www.fantasticcollectiblesmanteca.com. Sacramento comic artist Melissa McCommon will be signing and selling her work throughout the day.

▪ Comics Plus, 1305 Center Ave., Suite B, Los Banos. Noon to 6 p.m. (209) 827-8847. www.facebook.com/pages/Comics-Plus/123443397089.

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Comics shops offer a super day of free books."