Garrick Hopkins, of Barboursville, looks through the comics on display at The Inner Geek during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday in downtown Huntington. Comic Book Day returned after a pandemic-related hiatus.
Aaron Gumm, left, and Dan Barker, of Charleston, look at comic books for sale at Purple Earth Comics during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in downtown Huntington.
Zander Roberts, left, Anthony Munisteri and Ella Fry, from Spring Valley, browse the comics at The Inner Geek during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in downtown Huntington.
Bookseller Alana Muncy takes a stack of comics for a customer at The Inner Geek during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in downtown Huntington.
Garrick Hopkins, of Barboursville, looks through the comics on display at The Inner Geek during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday in downtown Huntington. Comic Book Day returned after a pandemic-related hiatus.
Aaron Gumm, left, and Dan Barker, of Charleston, look at comic books for sale at Purple Earth Comics during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in downtown Huntington.
Zander Roberts, left, Anthony Munisteri and Ella Fry, from Spring Valley, browse the comics at The Inner Geek during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in downtown Huntington.
Bookseller Alana Muncy takes a stack of comics for a customer at The Inner Geek during Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in downtown Huntington.
HUNTINGTON òòò½ÊÓƵ” Thousands of comic books were distributed Saturday as Huntington shops celebrated Free Comic Book Day.
Free Comic Book Day is a national event during which comic book stores give away books to attract new readers.
Forty-six comic books were chosen to be distributed this year, according to the event website, with titles from Marvel, DC, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Walking Dead and more.
Huntington shops Purple Earth Comics, The Inner Geek and Comic World participated in the event Saturday.
The total number of books given away between the three stores is unknown, but Inner Geek store manager Amanda Viars said her location sold about 4,000 comic books to customers of all ages.
Viars said she was happy to see so many children participating, especially since they have not been able to host a traditional Free Comic Book Day since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Â
"We had all ages, and a lot of kids have come out for this, which is amazing," she said. "Even if they don't like to read, comic books are a really easy and fun way to get kids interested in reading."Â
Sarah Ingram is a reporter for the Herald-Dispatch, covering public K-12 education. Follow her on Twitter @SIngramHD.Â
