National Comic Book Day – Celebrated on September 25th Every Year
For those who love comic books, there is at least one day when you can celebrate with friends who share your passion. National Comic Book Day is celebrated on 25th of September.
This is an annual day where comic book lovers gather in their respective communities to share their love of comic publications. From its humble origins to spawning huge blockbuster movies, comic books have been a part of popular culture for over a century.
While COVID-19 may limit the personal gatherings, virtual sessions may provide the connection that many comic book lovers will enjoy on this remarkable day.
History – #NationalComicBookDay
In the USA, comic books have been around since well before the American Civil War. The first known comic sold in the US was The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck, a Swiss comic that was printing in English which appeared in 1842. Over the next half-century, comics appeared in newspapers and other publications much like they do today.
It was not until the turn of the 20th century that the comics we know today in terms of their book-like form began to appear. The first comic book was published in 1933, but the key event occurred in 1938 when Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the Superman comic. This brought in what is today known as the Golden Age of Comics. This lasted until the mid-1950s when it began to lose interest with the general public.
However, in the early 1960s, Marvel helped revive interest which led to the Silver Age of Comics that lasted until the early 1970s. Realistic superheroes combined with imaginative storylines not only defined the era but also serve as the basis for the current run of comic-based blockbuster movies.
The Bronze Age of Comics followed afterward running from the mid-1970s and over the next decade as darker plot elements along with socially relevant issues were highlighted.
It is the expansion of interest in comics today which is fueled in large part by the cinematic blockbusters based in comic lore that led to the inception of National Comic Book Day. For those who love comics, this is a day of celebration.
How to Celebrate National Comic Book Day?
With events happening in different cities as well as being online, the best way to celebrate this remarkable day is by sharing your love of comics with fellow comic book lovers. It all begins when you read the comics you have collected over the years, but you can also head to your local comic book store, gather at the official celebration points across the country, or stay home and celebrate online with virtual activities that spread your joy of comic books around the world.
It’s also a day to explore the many new comics that are being produced today, both in traditional print and digital form. This means discovering new comics to add to your collection which joins old favorites.
Activities
From cities across the USA which include Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, LA, and so many more, you can visit your local comic book shop, attend a gathering, or stay safe during COVID-19 and enjoy being part of the comic book community at home on September 25th, 2023.
Most of the activities center on discovering new comic books, reading old favorites, sharing your love of comics with other enthusiasts, and watching television shows and movies based on comic book heroes. The activities themselves will also depend on the venue and what events are planned for your community. Plus, there are online celebrations as well which will offer plenty of activities to enjoy.
Facts
There are some interesting stats about comic books which makes celebrating this event even more special.
10-Year-Olds: Did you know that over 60% of comic book readers started before they became 10 years old?
Reading early, whether comic books, newspapers, fiction or non-fiction books can develop good reading habits. For those who love comic books, that passion seems to begin before the age of 10. However, the statistic also means that nearly 40% pick up the passion to read comics after the age of 10.
Digital: Physical comics books have declined in sales in recent years. In 2017, the drop was 6.5% for comics and graphic novels in 2017 alone. However, digital sales of comics have been on the rise. It does seem that as with many traditional print products such as comics, newspapers, and the like, more people are turning to the digital form.
FAQ’s
Is National Comic Book Day and Free Comic Book Day the Same?
No, they are two separate days. National Comic Book Day is generally held around the 25th of September each year, though the exact day may vary.
Free Comic Book Day is held annually on the first Saturday in May. This means that you have at least two nationally recognized days to celebrate comic books.
What happens on Comic Book Day?
Comic Book Day is a splendid festivity for comic book enthusiasts across the country. Every year on 25th day of every September, fans of all ages come together to show their appreciation for the imaginative worlds and characters featured in their favorite comic books.
From DC to Marvel, from Batman to Superman and Spider-Man, this day is all about applauding the artistry, storytelling, and creativity that goes into producing these iconic pieces of literature. Fans can attend comic magazine conventions, distribute comicbooks, look out for latest editions, and simply spend the day reading their favorite publications.
What was the First Comic Book?
The first comic in book form was Famous Funnies, which was published in 1936. Before that, comics were limited to newspapers or publications that included other material. As mentioned earlier, Obadiah Oldbuck is considered the first comic that was published.
Is there a Superhero Day?
Superheroes have captured our imaginations for decades, from the early days of comic books to the billion-dollar blockbusters of today. With their extraordinary abilities and unwavering determination, superheroes inspire us to dream big and fight for what’s right.
But is there really a designated day to celebrate these iconic characters?
The answer is yes! In fact, Superhero Day is celebrated annually on April 28th. It’s a chance for fans to don their capes and masks, pay homage to their favorite heroes, and perhaps even do a little good in their communities. So mark your calendars and get ready to unleash your inner superhero!
Hashtags
Some of the more popular hashtags include the following.
- #comicbook
- #comics
- #marvel
- #marvelcomics
- #dccomics