5 ways you can celebrate National Comic Book Day

National Comic Book Day is Monday, Philly! | Mike Fenn
Mike Fenn

For decades now, comic books have kept their ever-growing readership thoroughly entertained, page after page. From deep, dark graphic novels to the latest superhero titles, comic books have broken away from a niche industry and are now a permanent fixture of mainstream American society. It’s thus expected that this unique medium be celebrated with its own holiday: National Comic Book Day, on Sept. 25.

Here are five great ways that you can turn an otherwise boring fall Monday into a day full of color, action, and of course great storytelling.

Visit your local comic book store.

 

Patronizing your local comic bookstore is an excellent way to keep abreast of your favorite titles while at the same time supporting a local business in your community! Comic book stores are colorful shops full of all sorts of titles; passionate and knowledgeable staff are always happy to recommend their favorite titles to everyone, whether you are new to comics or have been reading them forever. In center city Philadelphia alone, comic book fans regularly drop in on Fat Jack’s Comicrypt in Rittenhouse Square, Atomic City Comics on South Street and Brave New Worlds in Old City.

 

Check out a comic book movie.

 

These days, it seems like every blockbuster movie was adapted from a comic book. Before audiences are treated to this fall’s comic book movie offerings in the forms of The Justice League and Thor: Ragnarok, head on over to your local theater and catch one of the big summer 2017 titles one more time before they hit DVD and Netflix. On September 25, you can still catch Gal Gadot’s electrifying portrayal of “Wonder Woman” at the AMC Loews 24 Theater in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Additionally, Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” starring Tom Holland and Robert Downey, Jr., is still playing at United Artists Riverview Plaza Stadium 17 in South Philadelphia and at AMC Philadelphia Mills 14 in Northeast Philadelphia. Theaters in Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Media, and Voorhees also continue to show the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

 

Catch up on a comic book TV series.

 

The fall is when all of your favorite TV shows return for the 2017-2018 season, and this includes the number of different comic book offerings. Thanks to Hulu and Netflix, you can catch up on such hits as Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Arrow,” and “The Flash.” Additionally, you can binge-watch several seasons of “Daredevil,” “Jessica Jones,” “Luke Cage,” and “Iron Fist,” which all culminated in the ensemble series “The Defenders” this past summer.

 

Share a comic.

 

Why keep all the fun to yourself? Either online or in person, share your favorite, and even not-so-favorite, titles with those around you. The bond shared over a common superhero, story arc, or even writer or artist is one that is unique and rarely shattered. Another form of sharing your favorite comics is by donating your old titles to your local thrift shop or library, so that those who might not be able to afford full-price books at comic book stores can still have a chance to fall in love with the same characters and stories that we all have.

 

Start your own comic.

 

Why not? Is there a superhero that does not exist that you wish did? Do you have an interesting life yourself? Don’t wait for someone else to make it; do it yourself! Many great “indie” creators, from Harvey Pekar to Chester Brown, are just as revered as the heavy hitters and legends at Marvel and DC. When you’re done, ask your local comic book shop or independent bookstore if they will help distribute it for you.

 

Any way that you choose to celebrate, have a terrific National Comic Book Day!