Reading Comics In Public: Fun—damental

It may have started as a bit of a joke, but today, Aug. 28, is indeed "Read Comics in Public Day" as declared by the editors of the comic book news site TheDailyCrossHatch.com.

Readcomicsinpublic.com editor Bryan Heater said that the idea "has its roots in a joke. I don't remember the exact wording, but it was something off-handed about reading novels on the train, because I was too embarrassed to read comics in public." 

However upon discussion with other writers the joke became a "concept (that) is fairly simple: we're asking that everyone take an hour or two out of their day on Aug. 28 (also the birthday of Jack 'King' Kirby, incidentally) to read a comic book in a public setting—a park bench, a beach, a bus, the front steps of your local library (we do ask, however, that you be mindful of local loitering laws). Let strangers see you reading a piece of sequential art." 

Barbara Weber, the young adult librarian at the Wyckoff Public Library, said she is thrilled about an event that encourages a kid to pick up any book. 

"Comic books and graphic novels are fast becoming an accepted medium," said Weber. "And it is so cool that kids are reading them."  

Darren Davis, publisher of Washington-state based Bluewater Comics, which has been making a name for itself producing bio-comics about politicians and pop-culture stars, said comic books are what got him reading.  

"As a kid, what got me excited about literature and reading was comic books," he said. "They are the re-telling of Greek myths."  

He added that Bluewater Comics's "Fame" series spotlights stars who appeal to youths, such as Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and the stars of the "Twilight" movies.  

"We had a great deal of success with our 'Political Power' and 'Female Force' series, and our audience has been pre-teens and teenagers, and it is cool to see them excited to read," said Davis.  

Ed Catto, a Ridgewood resident and co-owner of Captain Action Enterprises, which publishes Captain Action comics through Moonstone Comics, said he once knew "a guy who went to an Ivy League school and said the only reason he got in is because comics turned him into a strong reader."

Catto said, "Comics helped turn me into a voracious reader, and I still always read before bed—and lots of times it's a comic." 

He further added that "comics have that ability to help readers start reading.

"They are a great bridge between the visual easiness of TV and the written word," said Catto. "And as they are shorter than most books, they offer young readers real successes as they finish each comic."

Jay Katz, the editor of the Florida-based InvestComics.com, said that days like today are great for the industry.  

"Like Ms. Weber said, comic books and graphic novels are becoming accepted literature," Katz said. "And InvestComics.com is constantly writing about the field."  

Katz noted that some of the highest grossing movie properties have been comic book-related.  

"Take a look at "Batman," "Spider-Man" and the excitement that is building around the recent "Iron Man" movies and the upcoming "Avengers" movies," said Katz.  

He added, "It is just nice to see the rest of the public catching up to something we have known is amazing literature for decades now."  

Weber said such a celebration can help excite young readers.

"My attitude is to do whatever it takes to get a kid to read," said Weber. 

Editor's note: Don E. Smith Jr. is a freelance reporter and comic book writer who has published "Political Power: Ronald Reagan;" "Political Power: Rush Limbaugh;" Jesus Christ: Faith Series;" and adapted S.E. Hinton's "The Puppy Sister" as a comic for Bluewater Comics. He also writes a comic highlighting independent comic book creators for InvestComics.com.