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OREM — Fans flock to comic book stores across the country on the first Saturday of May every year for Free Comic Book Day, an event that aims to keep the love of comic books alive and celebrate the art and literature of the genre.
Seth Dodge, general manager of comic book and game store Dragon's Keep in Orem, said Free Comic Book Day has been happening for decades and is a way the industry helps get more people into reading.
"We have comics for kids, teenagers, adults, all ages, all different types of comics. Even if someone has never read a comic, there's a comic here for them," Dodge said.
Customers can go to any comic book store that is participating in the event and get two free books from the store's selection for the day. At least for the Orem Dragon's Keep store, people who arrive in costume can get three free comics.
Free Comic Book Day marks one of the busiest days for comic book stores each year, paralleled only by the Christmas rush.
In past years, hundreds of people have lined up at comic stores before the store has even opened to get the first pick of books. But at recent Free Comic Book Days, the store traffic has been more spread evenly throughout the day, Dodge said.
Thirteen-year-old Evelyn Hood visited the Dragon's Keep on Saturday because her parents thought it would be a good idea. She found that the comic books at the store had some of the same stories as the graphic novels and manga she likes to read.
Evelyn said she thought it was cool there are comic books for young kids because it helps get them interested in reading.
Comic books are often some of the first books people read when they are young, Dodge said. As kids, starting to read books can be scary because they're big and don't have pictures.
"Comic books bridge that gap," Dodge said. "The art brings imagination and brings it to life where a book sometimes can't."
Dodge bought his first comic book in the 1980s when he was on a roadtrip with his grandpa. He has loved the genre ever since and can't choose a favorite series because it's like trying to choose a favorite child.
While the comic book industry has changed tremendously over the years, he said, it is still thriving.
Superheroes are everywhere in pop culture, dominating the movie and television industry, which has led fans back to the origin: comic books.
Digital comic books have opened up a whole new realm of possibilities, Dodge said. Up-and-coming artists and writers are finding traction in the comic book world through digital publication of their work whereas before they faced more obstacles in getting their work physically printed.
Orem resident Alex Klepzig got into comics a few years ago through watching the YouTube channel Comics Explained. He participated in Free Comic Book Day for the first time Saturday.
"Comics are something for everybody," Klepzig said. "From little kids to fully grown adults who have been reading comics for decades, there's always something for everybody which I think is something that's very important for society — having something for everybody to enjoy."
