Metro Entertainment held its annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, bringing in many eager comic book lovers and newcomers alike to celebrate the world of comic books.
The comics and games shop, located on 6 W Anapamu St. in downtown Santa Barbara, had a line reaching down the block consistently through the day.
Fans were able to enjoy a selection of free comic books from major titles like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and more, as well as sales on comic books, board games and trading cards. Metro Entertainment participates every year to spread the love of comic books to returning and new fans.
“The goal is to really introduce ourselves to new customers, to people who aren’t necessarily into comics so they realize that there’s nothing scary about it,” store manager Jim Tourville said. “There are a lot of people that are already our customers, but just as many new faces that I’m excited to meet for the first time.”
Members from the local chapters of the 501st and Rebel Legions — national groups dedicated to serving and entertaining the community through their homemade Star Wars costumes — attended the event to take photos with and talk to fans.
Metro Entertainment’s staff were also in the spirit and dressed as their favorite characters from big pop culture franchises like Marvel.
Tourville stressed the importance of fostering a community in which there is something available for everyone.
“There’s tons of great comic books for everybody in the same way that there’s movies and TV shows for everybody,” he said.
Metro Entertainment’s patrons certainly embodied this diverse community as everyone had their eyes on different comic books, genres, games and trading cards.
Patrick Dillon, a Santa Barbara resident and avid comic book collector, was pleased with the selection of free comic books available this year.
“I’ve been doing this event every year for the past 10 years. I love this event,” he said. “I think this was one of the better years in a while, there were a lot of good titles this year. There’s a few comic books I really wanted on the free trade deal like ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and the ‘Conan the Barbarian’ comic.”
Alex Melchor, another Santa Barbara resident and collector, left with more than just comic books from this event.
“I checked out the graded slabs, that’s what really brought me in today so I’m hoping I can get a good deal on a few of them,” she said, explaining that those include sealed rare or vintage comic books that have been graded by a third-party company. “I also just made a new friend while we were waiting in line and I think we are going to become great friends.”
Free Comic Book Day is a national annual event that takes place on the first Saturday of May where comic book shops across the country give away free comics to encourage people to step into the wide world of comic books.
“The publishers offer us very discounted comics that we can choose to buy and offer to our customers for free,” Tourville said. “They’re usually either previews of stuff that hasn’t come out yet or reprints of hot number ones and short stories. It gives people a nice sample of Marvel, DC and independent books that they might have missed or that haven’t come out yet.”
Metro Entertainment — opened in 1991 by Bob Ficarra, who still owns the shop — has participated in Free Comic Book Day every year since it began. It was the only participating shop in Santa Barbara this year, making it a popular destination on Saturday.
“It’s really an opportunity for us to show the public that comics are for everyone,” Tourville said.
Jacob Davis is a Noozhawk contributing writer and UC Santa Barbara student.