Comic-book-based blockbusters have wowed moviegoers for the past 40 years.
From 1978’s “Superman” film to this week’s release of Marvel Studio’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” stories of Earth-saving caped crusaders have tallied an estimated $36 billion in worldwide box office sales.
Comic book fans are quick to remind anyone who’ll listen that these legends of the silver screen sprang from the pages of comics. Other fans might be even quicker to remind listeners that not all comic book movies involve superheroes. The films “300,” “Road to Perdition,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” were all comic books first.
That’s why Free Comic Book Day, an annual event held this year on May 5, aims to bring new readers to the art and stories that have inspired movie producers for years.
Mike Sterling, owner of Sterling Silver Comics on Pickwick Drive, said he wants to share his love of comic books and create new fans of the medium.
Sterling, who sold comics for almost three decades at Ralph’s Comic Corner in Ventura and opened his own store three years ago, said he’s participated in every Free Comic Book Day since it started in 2002.
He said the event “gets a lot of people in to look at comics who normally wouldn’t go to comic shops. It reminds people that comics exist, that they’re more than just research and development for movies, that they’re their own thing.”
Sterling, a 49-year-old Oxnard native, said he will offer all 50 of the special free publications that comics shops worldwide will give away on May 5.
He said some stores limit how many free comics each customer can take, but he plans to let attendees take one copy of each as long as the content is ageappropriate.
Sterling said he hasn’t had a chance to read the new issues yet, but from what he’s seen, this batch should do a great job of attracting new fans. The comics will feature stories about James Bond, the Tick and Star Wars, among others.
“It’s a rare year when there’s not something really good in the stacks,” he said.
Sterling said his store tries to appeal to everyone, including kids, older people and women, who aren’t often thought of as the typical fans of the medium.
“I’ve always tried to have an open environment for all people. . . . I know the stereotype is just guys, but I’ve always had a very large female clientele for this shop and the shop I used to be at. If you try to keep (the store) nice and neat and open and bright, you’ll get lots of children in here, lots of women in here, everybody,” he said.
His strategy appears to be working.
Taylor Brown and Lilyan Curtis, both 22-year-old students at Cal State Channel Islands and customers of Sterling Silver Comics, said they love comics with female leads.
At Sterling’s store, the women picked up titles including “Lumberjanes” and “Shade, the Changing Girl.”
“There’s a whole other world to it that kind of takes you away,” Brown said. “It’s kind of a book, but a visual book.”
Curtis agreed and said comic books come in so many genres that everyone can find a fit for them.
“It’s about identifying your favorite type of story,” Curtis said. “ Do you like science fiction? Do you like fantasy? Because there’s a comic book for everything. If you have a favorite show, there’s probably a comic book for that.”
Sterling said he hopes to create more fans like Brown and Curtis on May 5. His store will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“I just want people to come in and find comics that they’ll enjoy,” he said. “It’s not like what you see on TV shows and movies and stuff. It’s a thriving business by a person who’s just trying to make his living, and I want people to enjoy the medium.”