By Paul Leach
correspondents@ timesfreepress.com
In addition to his two stores’ participation, Dicehead Games & Comics owner Shane Grubb is supplying the goods for the Bicentennial Library and Harrison Elementary to take part in Free Comic Book Day.
“If I can encourage a kid to read who will not read, then I’ve done something good,” said Grubb. “When I was a kid, I didn’t really like to read. When I started reading, I started reading comic books.
“You find a lot of librarians and teachers that say ‘I can’t get my kids to read anything, but when I give them a comic, they will read it.’ So that’s why we do it.”
* This is the first year that Harrison Elementary School is participating in Free Comic Book Day. Librarian Melody Messer said the school would distribute the free comics to students today and host a costume contest.
“It’s a good way to get older boys to read who sometimes feel that reading is not cool anymore,” she said.
Messer added that she has been trying to increase the size of the school library’s collection of comics and graphic novels. “They are very popular,” she said.
* At the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, 1001 Broad St., graphic artist James Lyle will demonstrate his technique and talk about comic-book art and his career 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Fans can view his and Michael Woodring’s graphic novel/web comic “Dark Candle,” set in 10th-century Bavaria, at darkcandle.net.
Saturday’s activities open with a superhero movie (rated PG-13). Participants will be able to draw comics, check out books, graphic novels and manga, and take part in the swap table (bring one/take one). Comic books will be distributed while supplies last. Costumes are encouraged.
PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS
* B&M Amusement Co. — 5036-D Highway 58.
* Comic Hound — 6743 Ringgold Road, Suite B, East Ridge.
* Dicehead Games & Comics — 6231 Perimeter Drive, Chattanooga, and inside Bradley Square Mall, 200 Paul Huff Parkway, Cleveland, Tenn.
Source: www.freecomicbookday.com