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SALT LAKE CITY — Still dressed in a suit and tie from a family event, Nate Parry ushered his three beaming kids into the comic book store Saturday.
The group hurried to a table in the back of Heebeegeebeez in Layton, where other families were perusing the stacks of comics with the words "Free Comic Book Day" printed across the covers. Together they searched as the kids picked out two comic books each, checking the titles offered specifically for young children, and Parry grabbed two books of his own.
Parry is no stranger to comic book shops, but this is the first year he has brought his children, ages 5 to 9, in for the once-a-year event. The promotion takes place on the first Saturday in May and is a chance to pick up free, exclusive comics intended to introduce new readers to the genre and direct them to stores in their area.
"I've been into comic books since I was their age, and I'm kind of passing it on to the next generation in a way that's fun and free and safe," said Parry, of Salt Lake City. "There are a lot of comic books that obviously aren't for kids, and this is a nice family friendly way to help the kids gain access to something new."
After collecting their comics, the family spent a few minutes looking at the store's regular merchandise. Parry grinned as 9-year-old Hyrum and 5-year-old Mason began chattering about a Star Wars comic, quickly joined by their sister, 7-year-old Maddie, who began humming the movie's theme song.
"That's my little girl," Parry said with a smile.
Heebeegeebeez's four locations — Ogden, Layton, Sandy and Logan — were among comic book shops across Utah and around the country that participated in Free Comic Book Day.
Owner Rachael Pust ran the Layton store while her husband, Johnathan, took care of the shop in Ogden. As parents, the couple is especially supportive of Free Comic Book Day as a way to get kids reading.
"Today, when every single person in the family can get two (comics), some people walk out with like a pile of 10 comics the family can check out," Rachael Pust said.
At Black Cat Comics in Sugar House, owner Greg Gage leaned on a box of comic books Saturday afternoon, which for several hours had been packed to capacity with customers looking for free comics. The first group through the door had gotten in line at 6:30 a.m. for the store's 11 a.m. opening.
Gage calls Free Comic Book Day a holiday for both established comic book nerds and novices just looking to check things out.
"It gets bigger every year," he said. "The great thing about it is there are always new people who come in. There are always a few people who have never even been in a comic book shop before."
By 3 p.m., the stock of free comics at Black Cat was down to just four small stacks. This year's free titles included tales from traditional comic book characters like Marvel's Captain America and The Avengers; new takes on old favorites in the DC Superhero Girls stories; video game spinoffs including Assassin's Creed and Street Fighter; pop culture figures like Strawberry Shortcake and Grumpy Cat; and a 1960s civil rights themed story called "March."
At Night Flight Comics in Murray, 9-year-old Ian Broschinsky picked out a free sampler comic from Boom! Studios, while his mother, Jennifer Broschinsky, purchased a graphic novel illustrated by a French artist she is interested in.
"I follow a lot of artists on social media, and a lot of them are involved in creating comics. This is a good opportunity for them to promote their work, and it's a good opportunity for kids to see what's out there," Broschinsky said. "We've been (to Free Comic Book Day) a couple of times."
The family makes regular trips to the comic book store, where Ian is always on the lookout for new stories. His mother is proud to see her son becoming a dedicated reader.
"I like them to be able to read whatever they're willing to read, and if it's a graphic novel, great," Broschinsky said.
While lines of customers come through the store for the free books, most end up picking up an item or two to purchase as well, Night Flight owner Alan Carroll says.
"It is one of the biggest sales days for us as a business, and it has always been that way," Carrol said. "It really is a day for the whole family to come out on a Saturday and just celebrate family time and reading all together."
