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Arts & Entertainment

It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... It's Comic Book Day!

Fans of the illustrated tales agree that Comic Book Day is like Christmas in May.

To most, this Saturday was a normal weekend day in May. However, to Big Planet Comics’ employees and patrons, it was one of the biggest holidays of the year — Free Comic Book Day.

The first Saturday in May has been a nationally recognized comic book holiday since 2001, and is the biggest business day of the year for Peter Casazza, owner of Big Planet Comics in College Park.

“It’s a great way to promote comics,” Casazza said, saying that more families and young children come into the store on Free Comic Book Day, rather than just the regulars.

Employee John Stanton agrees, saying the festive atmosphere attracts business.

“We just have a lot of free stuff to give out, and sometimes artists will come by and do sketches,” Stanton said.

Harry Crosland of Baltimore dressed up as villain from Star Wars for the event.

Crosland said he is Big Planet regular, and comes in to pick up new comics each week.

A quick light saber battle broke out between Crosland and his friend Wendell Smith, who was also dressed up as a Star Wars character.

Smith, of Upper Marlboro, said he likes dressing up for these events to support Crosland, who has his own comic book podcast. He added he also enjoys the amount of exposure stores like Big Planet Comics get on the holiday.

“I like just seeing everyone actually in a comic book store like you used to in the ‘80s,” Smith said. “Now-a-days it’s only the diehards that come in regularly.”

Drew Cohen, a sophomore at the University of Maryland, considers himself one of these diehards, calling Free Comic Book Day his “national holiday.” Cohen agrees with Smith that it’s nice to share his passion for comic books with others, especially kids.

“It’s nice to spread the love,” Cohen said. “It’s great to get kids indoctrinated early.”

Thomas Fagiolo, a 10-year-old Takoma Park resident, was just one of the many kids to celebrate Free Comic Book Day at Big Planet Comics. He said he has come to the store to celebrate the holiday for the past two years.

He said he likes comic books because they cover such a wide range of topics. His own selections were equally diverse -- he even picked a few about the Civil War.

“Free Comic Book Day is definitely an important holiday for comics,” Fagiolo said. “In a way, it can celebrate the world.”

Ultimately, comic books draw so many fans because of their stories, Casazza said.

“People like them for the same reason they like books,” he explained.

Cohen agrees with Casazza, saying that as an English major with a mythology and folklore concentration, he has always been drawn to great stories.

“They’re big and mythic and exciting,” he said.

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