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A SUPER EVENT

Here’s a superpower that not many merchants have: the ability to give something away for free. But more than 2,000 independent comic bookstore owners nationwide will be using that power for good, not evil, when the 14th annual Free Comic Book Day gets under way today.

TELL ME MORE: For 14 years, Free Comic Book Day has given the comic industry a leg up in promoting their product. Selected titles — 50 in all — are being given away at participating stores today. Some vendors will go the extra mile, with costumed characters, guest artists and in-store events. This year’s titles range from superhero capers to quirky humor: “Savage Dragon: Legacy #1,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Transformers Robots in Disguise,” “Doctor Who Special,” and many more. (Not all stores will carry all 50 titles). Two titles, in particular, have fans slavering this year: Marvel’s “Secret Wars” (an all-star jam with Avengers, Spider-Man, Hulk, Thor and others) and DC’s “Divergence” (same idea: Superman, Batman, Justice League). Among the local vendors: A&S Comics One (7512 Bergenline Ave., North Bergen), A&S Comics Two (563 Cedar Lane, Teaneck), Joker’s Child (12-23 River Road, Fair Lawn), and Zapp! Comics (574 Valley Road, Wayne).

QUOTE: “We’re giving away about 10,000 books, no purchase necessary. If you figure that comic books retail at $4, and everyone gets seven [free] comics, the retail value is $28.” — Len Katz, president of Joker’s Child, Fair Lawn.

DETAILS: Visit freecomicbookday.com. — Jim Beckerman

See the full story on NorthJersey.com