Pasadena Public Library will join with other libraries and comic book stores all over the United
States in celebrating Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. While supplies
last, kids and teens can each get a free comic book at any of the following Pasadena Public Library
locations; Allendale Branch Library - 1130 S. Marengo Ave., Hastings Branch Library - 3325 E. Orange
Grove Blvd., Hill Avenue Branch Library – 55 S. Hill Ave., Lamanda Park Branch Library – 140 S.
Altadena Dr., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Linda Vista Branch Library – 1281
Bryant St., Santa Catalina Branch Library – 999 E. Washington Blvd. and Central Library in the
Children’s Room, 285 E. Walnut St.
This year is the 10th annual celebration of this event, which is timed to coincide with the May
release of superhero-themed movies. Central Library will also have video programs, a visit by popular
artist Kazu Kibuishi, and more, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.in the Children’s Story Room. Hastings Branch
Library will be showing superhero videos including the very early Superman cartoons at 1 p.m.
Why Free Comic Book Day? Aren’t things always free at the library? Yes, but this is a comic
book that is free to keep, with no due date.
Why comics in the library? The traditional form of the comic book is a thin, monthly magazine,
not very durable. Then, in the 1970s, the idea of book-length comics became more popular, reprinting
older works or printing new works for the first time as books filled with comic book content. These books
were called “graphic novels,” but in essence they were long comic books in better bindings, a better fit for
libraries. La Pintoresca Branch Library was an early experimenter with circulating comics and graphic
novels in a library setting. Local writers and artists have made appearances at the library and this has
helped the collection and the readership to grow.
Comics, in the form of bound volumes, anthologies and graphic novels, are now among the most
popular items in the library, for kids, teens and adults. Superman, Batman and other icons of the
superhero side of comics have now been around for over seventy years, but newer comics creations from
all over the world have become part of our culture. Major authors, including Steven King, Dean Koontz,
Janet Evanovich, Charlaine Harris, George R. R. Martin, Ray Bradbury, and others have seen their works
adapted into graphic novels. Maus won the Pulitzer Prize for its creator. Steven Spielberg is currently
adapting the Belgian comic Tintin for the big screen.
Comic books are not a genre, like westerns or mysteries. Instead, they are a way of telling a story
with a combination of text and images, a form that appeals to readers who enjoy this blend. The library
has graphic novels and comics about superheroes, reporters, cowboys, aliens, elves, zombies, and almost
anything else you can imagine. Everything from the Civil War to the space program to the history of
instant noodles is contained within the non-fiction graphic works in our collection. Stop by and discover
what comics and graphic novels you can find at the library!
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