Downtown Rochester is set to be overrun with heroes, villains, and characters of all stripes when the Free Comic Book Day Festival takes over the city on Saturday, May 2. Sponsored by Jetpack Comics and Rochester Main Street, the festival starts at 10 a.m. and includes visits from comic creators David Peterson, the artist and writer behind the “Mouse Guard” series; “Indestructible” creator and writer Jeff Kline, and dozens of other local, regional, and national creators. Seacoast artist Matt Talbot will be selling “31 Days of Monsters,” a limited-edition book featuring 31 drawings inspired by famous movie monsters.
“I believe that David’s return to the festival is a testament to how well attended and fun our event is,” says Jetpack owner Ralph DiBernardo. “We have thousands of his books to give away, and he even made a special mini art print that we’re giving away as well.”
Festival attendees are encouraged to start the day at Jetpack at 31 North Main St., where they can pick up a map leading them to 20 businesses around the city giving out free comics. Vendors and artists will be on hand at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Columbus Avenue.
“It’s just like a mini comic-con,” DiBernardo says.
This year, DiBernardo, Jetpack staff, and volunteers are encouraging attendees to dress up as characters from writer Mark Millar’s comic books. Millar, the creator behind “Kick-Ass” and “Kingsmen: The Secret Service,” which recently received a big-screen adaptation, has challenged comic stores around the country to get as many people as possible to dress up as his characters. The winning store gets a visit from Millar; DiBernardo says he’s combining the costume contest with a charity toy and food drive.
While Free Comic Book Day is a national event (often tied to the release of a blockbuster comic book movie — this year, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” opens on May 1), he says Rochester’s festival is all about putting a spotlight on the Lilac City. After it wraps up, attendees are invited to an after-party with live music and refreshments at the Governor’s Inn.
“The best part of Free Comic Book Day is walking around town and seeing thousands of people out and about in downtown Rochester. So many people having fun and enjoying this weird pop-culture niche,” he says.
For more information, visit jetpackcomics.com. — Larry Clow