It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Free Comic Book Day!

What began as a way for retailers to revive interest in comic books has since turned into an annual, worldwide event. Free Comic Book Day is typically held on the first Saturday of May. The East Passyunk Community Center Advisory Council’s 3rd annual Free Comic Book Day will be held this Saturday, May 12th from 11am to 1pm.

Co-sponsored by Alphabet Academy and Brave New Worlds Comics, the Center uses the comic book give-away to focus on reading.  “Our primary intention was to use comic book day to promote literacy. We ask parents to stay and read the comic to their children, or if the parents aren’t fluent in English, that the children read to them,” said Joseph F. Marino, the Advisory Council’s President.

The first 100 children will receive a free comic book of their choice. A variety of free comic books will be distributed including LEGO, Barbie, Archie, Casper, and assorted superheroes.

Children will also have the opportunity to transform into their favorite comic book character at the face painting station and have their photo taken with special guest, Wolverine.

“I really like comic books,” Nathan Dean, an after-school student at East Passyunk Community Center said, “I’m really excited to see everything that will be there.”

East Passyunk Community Center is located at 1025 Mifflin Street.