Yakima Celebrates Free Comic Book Day Success

My favorite holiday in the Yakima Valley took place this past Saturday, and there were a lot of smiles from everyone who participated, making Free Comic Book Day another fun-filled day with comics, collecting, and people discovering (or building) on their hobbies! We have some pictures below.

A Short History of Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day (also known as Comic Giveaway Day) takes place on the first Saturday of May and has been going strong for the past 24 years.

It got started in 2002 to help get people excited for the Tobey Maguire/Sam Raimi Spider-Man film by a California comic book store owner. He noticed the uptick in comic sales around the releases of comic movies, like Batman, Blade, X-Men, etc. You can read more about that nerdy knowledge at NationalToday.com.

My Experience With Comics

Growing up in Naches, I had a difficult time learning to read. My parents noticed I’d really focus on the mini comics that came with He-Man & The Masters of The Universe action figures, and eventually bought me my first comic book, a “read along” Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book complete with audio cassette tape so I could follow along and read.

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It helped me visualize the characters and follow along with what was happening in the story. Not only did it help me learn to read, but it also built an appreciation of art and storytelling.

READ MORE: Yakima Valley Nerd Scene Grows With New Shops In Toppenish!

That’s why I feel Free Comic Book Day is such a great thing, getting kids off the screens and into a fun book, that can lead them into a new world and a new sense of love and imagination. A great day for a new hobby (or for those like me who have been collecting for years, a great day to build on your hobby).

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR'S FREE COMIC BOOK DAY IN YAKIMA!