In Photos: Hundreds Raid Local Comic Shop for Free Comic Book Day

While many were cleaning their barbecues and stocking up on Coronas for Cinco de Mayo festivities, a few hundred people were raiding a local comic book shop in hopes of snagging free comic books.

According to Juan Lecaros, owner of on Smith Street, the store gave away close to 1,500 comic books for Free Comic Book Day. He estimates that more than 700 people stopped by throughout the day as each person was limited to two books per person.

“When I closed at 7 p.m., I had eight comic books left,” Lecaros said.

Free Comic Book Day is a nationwide event that takes place the first Saturday in May each year at many comic book stores. According to Lecaros, the comic book connoisseurs’ holiday began in 2002 at in Concord.

This was the first time Comic and Figure Addicts, which , participated in the event. Throughout the day, the store gave out exclusive editions of comic books published specifically for Free Comic Book Day, including The Avengers, Spider Man and Star Wars, along with youth-friendly titles such as Yo Gabba Gabba and Mouse Guard, whose publishers made a special hardcover anthology.

Lecaros was surprised by Saturday's turnout.

He said by the time he started setting up at 11 a.m., a dozen people were already outside. When the store opened at noon, the line had wrapped around the corner to .

Some children, excited by box office comic book adaptation The Avengers, even dressed up at Captain America and other popular characters. Even the MoGo BBQ food truck stopped by to serve those waiting in line.

Along with the comic book giveaways, Comic and Figure Addicts also held a storewide sale, which boosted business for Lecaros.

“It totally made it worthwhile,” he said.

See photos from Free Comic Book Day in the photo gallery above.

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