The first Saturday of May is Free Comic Book Day! In an effort to promote literacy and increase awareness of our amazing comic book store(s), both libraries in C-U have been partnering to participate in the national event: Urbana Free Library with (R.I.P.) Action Jackson Comics, and Champaign Public Library with G-Mart. There will be events and giveaways on both Friday and Saturday in honor of this event. Below is the full schedule:
Friday, May 5th, 6-8 p.m., Urbana Free Library, MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room
Comic book reading room – browse UFL’s full catalog of comics and graphic novels, and take some time to kick back in a dedicated space to read to yourself, share with friends, or read to your children. The first 25 people to stop in will receive a free comic donated by a local collector.
This event is part of Imbibe Urbana’s First Fridays, so the library will be open late.
Saturday, May 6th, 11 a.m. – noon, UFL & CPL
Free comic giveaway – join us a little early to get your hands on official Free Comic Book Day giveaways! UFL will have all-ages comics and activities of interest to the younger crowd (Spongebob, Descendents, DC Superhero Girls, Moomin, etc.). CPL will have some of those, but more titles suitable for families, teens, and adults (Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder Woman, Attack on Titan, Dragonball Z).
Costume contests – both libraries and G-Mart will all be hosting costume contests, so get your cosplay on! UFL will host a costume parade at noon, while CPL will have red-carpet photo-ops and be looking for your cosplay photo on social media with the hashtag #FCBD17CU. G-Mart will be judging in person for costumes worn by teens and adults.
Free comic passport – pick up your free passport at any of the three locations and fill it with punches by going to each. Once it’s filled up, get a small prize!
Saturday, May 6th, 11 a.m. – noon, UFL
Superhero Academy – Save the city, lift weights with ease, and pick out a free comic book. The events and comics at UFL will be geared to serve the younger crowd. The event will end at noon with the costume parade.
Saturday, May 6th, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Champaign Public Library Robeson Room C
Comic lounge – chill out in our relaxed reading room to read and swap your free comics with other fans. Watch anime or other superhero shows (Justice League, the Tick, Doctor Who) and enjoy. G-Mart will be on hand to also hand out comics and will have some fun merch for sale.
Saturday, May 6th, 12-7 p.m., G-Mart Comics, 205 N. Market St., Champaign
G-Mart will open at noon to give away the full gamut of comic books for kids through adults and host a costume contest for teens and older. They are limiting your freebies to only 13 comics per person, and they’ll be having great discounts on everything in-store!
Saturday, May 6th, noon, Champaign Public Library, Robeson Pavilion
Pub-style trivia contest – CPL will be holding a short version of trivia, with three rounds of seven questions about comics and fandom. Win some great prizes – themed sets of comics, LEGO minifigures, and gift certificates to G-Mart.
Saturday, May 6th, 2-4 p.m., Champaign Public Library, Robeson A-B
Meet graphic novelist Damian Duffy – Damian is half of a local real-life dynamic duo: J2D2. Together with John Jennings, he adapted the sci-fi classic, Kindred, and closed out the last week of the New York Times graphic novels bestseller list by hitting #1! Come hear him talk about writing and drawing comics, then get a chance to meet him and have your book signed. G-mart will be selling copies of Kindred on-site, or bring your own.
