Read More Comics Celebrates Free Comic Book Day (May 5)

In his 13 years as owner of Read More Comics in Brandon, Scott Rienbeck has never missed a chance to participate in Free Comic Book Day, held nationally the first Saturday in May.

“It’s a national thing we participate in,” he said. "Every comic book store has the opportunity to do free comic day. It’s a way for the store to give back to the comic book fans, with free comics and local artists sketching for free for the fans. We also have delas and discounts on everything in the store."

In a nutshell, Rienbeck said, “It's just one of those days for saying thank you for being a comic book fan, and also to gain new fans."

The event runs from noon to 8 p.m. at the store, at 115 East Brandon Blvd., next door to the Tadpoles sport bar.

It’s a good time, too, to reflect on my Rienbeck got into the comic book store business. It’s a story that dates back to his childhood.

“I was 20-years-old when I first opened,” Rienbeck said. “The owner was shutting down and he allowed me the opportunity to buy some of his back stock and shelving units. I wanted to continue the legacy of the store I was shopping at ever since I was 10 years old."

Like any other small business owner, Rienbeck opened with the pressure of making ends meet.

“In the beginning it felt like I was going to go out of business on a weekly basis,” he said. “I kept pushing on and trying to do the best I could for the [comic book] fan community in Brandon and it all worked out.”

It’s still working out, even with the pressures of a troubled economy.

“This is a niche market and we do it well,” Rienbeck said. “Where big companies don’t understand, or want to understand comics, this is our only business. Fans are rabid when it comes to comics. We either love a comic or we hate it. It’s that passion that drives us. I love my customers and I want my customers to love shopping here.”

Free Comic Book Day is a chance to celebrate comic books and fans nationwide, as well as to attract new fans to the fold. It is held every year the first Saturday in May, with special comics published for the free- comic-book handout.

“In the 10 years I’ve been doing this there’s only been two years without a huge comic book movie opening that same weekend,” Rienbeck said.

This year it's “The Avengers,” which drew Rienbeck to the May 4 midnight release at the AMC The Regency 20.

“It was fantastic,” he said. “There was a lot of hype behind it, and I try to keep my expectations low when a movie is hyped like that, but I was blown away. It met and exceeded my expectations.”

For comic book fans, and the curious, this weekend is a great mix of print and big-screen entertainment.

As Rienbeck put it: "If you enjoy all the movies that have been coming out that were adapted from comic books, then Comic Book Day is a perfect opportunity to come and get a look at the source material and see what comic books are all about."