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May 6--HURST -- Karl Ancell has been waiting all week for Free Comic Book Day. He's not after the freebies. The comic book store manager is hoping the promotion will help hook new readers -- and customers.
Comics will be distributed today at nearly 2,000 shops nationwide as part of a five-year-old campaign to promote literacy, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, which organizes the event.
Some area educators said they hope that youngsters will be inspired to make the leap from Superman to more advanced reading.
Ancell, who manages Lone Star Comic in Hurst, said he expects at least 300 people to come to his store to take advantage of the promotion, which corresponds with the release of summer superhero movies such as Superman Returns; X-Men: The Last Stand; and Ghost Rider.
"There's really a lot of good buzz surrounding the day this year," he said.
Though comic books don't have a very literary reputation, educators say they can provide the same function as other children's books -- acting as a gateway to more advanced reading and thought.
"We want to get these kids reading. Whatever promotes reading will do," said Claudia Seabaugh, a sixth-grade teacher at Bedford's Stonegate Elementary.
Introducing children to stories and characters that pique their interest -- whether it's in a comic book, novel or audio book -- is what will keep them going, said Delia Kelly, a mother and a librarian assistant at the Euless library.
"Once you get hooked on a series, you take off."
IN THE KNOW
Free Comic Book Day
Here are some area stores that plan to give away comic books. To find others, type in your ZIP code at
www.freecomicbookday.com
Three D's Comics, 2410 E. Arkansas Lane No. 342, Arlington
Lone Star Comics, 931 Melbourne Road, Hurst
Y2Komics, 5276 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth
IN THE KNOW
Free Comic Book Day
Here are some area stores that plan to give away comic books. To find others, type in your ZIP code at
www.freecomicbookday.com
Three D's Comics, 2410 E. Arkansas Lane No. 342, Arlington
Lone Star Comics, 931 Melbourne Road, Hurst
Y2Komics, 5276 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth
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Copyright (c) 2006, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas
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