Valley shops will take part in free Comic Book Day

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Free Comic Book Day, the national event in which comic book shops nationwide promote the art form by giving away comic books, will take place Saturday at several Mahoning Valley locations.

The All American Cards and Comics locations at 161 W. Market St. on Courthouse Square in downtown Warren, and at 52 Boardman-Canfield Road in Boardman (near the intersection of Market Street) will mark their 18th year of celebrating the event. The stores, owned by Greg Bartholomew, expect to give away more than 2,000 promotional comic books during event hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Folks can stop by at All-American and several other comic book stores in the area and pick up some free comics.

Other participating stores include Liberty Comics, 5474 Mahoning Ave., Austintown; Bennies, 462 Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, Pa.; and Watchtower Heroes, 6 S. Main St., Columbiana.

For information, go to freecomicbookday.com.

At All American Cards and Comics, Free Comic Book Day serves as the kick-off for the Youngstown Comic Con, which it will stage July 6-7 at Covelli Centre.

The largest comic book, toy and pop culture show in the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown Comic Con will feature guest celebrities Jason Mewes (“Mallrats,” “Clerks”), and also Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic and Ming Chen, and comic artists Jim Steranko, Graham Nolan and Arthur Sydam.

Tickets are $15. Go to youngstowncomiccon.com.