Visitors browse the shelves of Zeppelin Comics for Free Comic Book Day. (Photo by George Johnston)

Zeppelin Comics, Benicia’s only comic book store, had people lining out the door Saturday for Free Comic Book Day.

Free Comic Book Day is an annual event celebrated on the first Saturday of May in which the major publishers of the comic book industry release a special free comic that usually previews an upcoming series or storyline. This year, Marvel put out books teasing future stories for Spider-Man, Captain America and the Avengers. DC Comics published two books;, a children’s book and DC Nation No. 3, which previews Batman and Catwoman’s upcoming wedding, the new Justice League and a major status quo change for Superman.

Zeppelin Comics was one of approximately 2,300 comic shops participating throughout the world.

“Free Comic Book Day is not a requisite for having a comic book store, but I think it’s a no-brainer to offer a service to the community by being free comic books without the expectation of buying anything,” Natasha Curtis, owner of Zeppelin Comics, said. “It also gets your name out there, but it puts comic books in people’s hands and we want kids, and new readers introduced to comic books.”

Early in the day, Star Wars cosplayers from the 501st Legion were at the store meeting and greeting with fans. Last year, Zeppelin Comics had food vendors involved with Free Comic Book Day. This year, Zeppelin Comics brought Melissa Pagluica, creator of Above the Clouds, at the store.

Pagluica became a comic book illustrator upon discovering sequential art was a better medium for her story than single images. “Sailor Moon,” a ‘90s anime cartoon, was the gateway for Pagluica to become interested in Manga and later western comics.

Paglucia met Curtis at Sacramento Anime Con, where she was invited to come to the Benicia store.

In commemoration of the event, Paglucia designed the Free Comic Book Day shirt exclusive to Zeppelin Comics. She remained at the shop until it closed at 7 p.m.

“People love comics and they are so excited to come in,” Pagluica said. “A Lots of families are bringing their kids as well, and it’s been really fun talking with everyone too.”

Visitor Marisa Stephan said she was new to comic books. She came out to Free Comic Book Day because her boyfriend, Greg DiGiacinto wanted a Pokemon comic offered. During the event, Stephen purchased trade paperback stories of Marvel characters Black Widow and Scarlet Witch. She likes Black Widow because of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies but feels like the films do not fully flesh out the character and figured the comics could help her learn more about the super spy’s backstory. Stephen and her boyfriend had been to Zeppelin Comics before but never have seen the store be as busy as it was during Free Comic Book Day, which she thought was a good thing.

DiGiacinto attended Free Comic Book Day for the Pokemon comic offered by publishers. He has read comics for the past 10 to 15 years, with his favorite character being Captain America. He saw the new Marvel movie, “Avengers: Infinity War,” on opening night. At first, the movie wasn’t what DiGiacinto was expecting, but once the film began showing, it was what he wanted in a Marvel movie.

“A lot of people are here,” DiGiacinto said. “It (Free Comic Book Day) brings people in ‘cause a lot of people aren’t reading comics nowadays. It’s good for business, and they had a nice variety in the back. I like it.”

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