It's that time of year again, when everyone is haunted by ghosts and goblins, witches and zombies, and … free comic books?
Comics to Astonish, a specialty shop in western Columbia, will host a Halloween ComicFest on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, when the store will give away free copies of 11 full-sized and 11 “mini” comics, all containing stories prepared especially for the holiday by 16 different publishers.
“This is not a trick,” store owner Keegan Conrad said about this first-time event, “but it will be a treat for people who visit our shop and take home comics that are appropriate for readers of all ages – children, teens and adults – and will stir their imaginations to help get them into the Halloween 'spirit.'”
The full-size comics will include special editions of DC's Batman: The Long Halloween, Sonic the Hedgehog from Archie Comics and Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man.
One of the spookiest titles that will be distributed during the weekend will be a “super sampler” featuring Cartoon Network characters in which the Powerpuff Girls take on "The Big Green Monster," Samurai Jack finds himself in a game of "Double Dutch Death Valley," and Ben 10 gets into a bullfight in "Olé."
Among the digest-sized issues that have been produced by Diamond Comics are special editions of Adventure Time from Boom Comics, Archie's Pals and Gals, Zombie Kid Diaries from Antarctic Comics, Sesame Street from Ape Entertainment and Super Dinosaur from Image Comics.
Along with giving out free comics, the Columbia store will commemorate the 10th anniversary of The Walking Dead title from IDW Publishing by taking 30 percent off compilations of the popular comic, as well as other horror-themed trade paperbacks.
In addition, special versions of the Magic: The Gathering role-playing card game will take place between 2 p.m and 6 p.m. on both days using Halloween-type cards such as goblins, zombies and demons. The entry fee will be $10, with three booster packs added to the prize pool per player.
Twenty-five percent of the pool will go to the MTG participants wearing the four best costumes as determined by store employees, Conrad said, “so bring your deck and put on your costume” before joining in the fun.
Conrad said that the new event is a result of the tremendous success of Free Comic Book Day, which is held on the first Saturday of May and draws people into comics shops around the world.
With that in mind, this event “is the biggest celebration of Halloween-themed comics taking place at participating stores in North America and elsewhere,” noted Dan Manser, director of marketing for Diamond Comic Distributors.
“Your local comic book specialty shop is a great destination for the latest Halloween and horror pop-culture products and merchandise,” Manser added, “from comics and graphic novels to toys and more!”
Conrad stated that the Halloween ComicFest is only the beginning of what will be a busy holiday season for the store.
“We will have our 20th Annual Fall Sale on November 16,” he stated, which will lead into December, the month when people will be searching for just the right Christmas gift for friends and family members who read comic books.
The comics specialty shop, which is located at 9400 Snowden River Parkway #112 in eastern Columbia, will host the event from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, visit the store's Website at http://www.comicstoastonish.com.
