Tomorrow - Read Comics in Public Day

If you didn't catch word, tomorrow, August 28, is the 1st annual Read Comics in Public Day.  Now for many people, this is an everyday or at least a regular occurrence.  I don't need anyone to make a special day for me to pull out a comic during my lunch break at Starbucks.  But apparently some, even those in the comics industry, are a bit ashamed to pull out the latest issue of Artifacts in a similar place. 

The day started as a joke between Brian Heater and Sarah Morean of The Daily Crosshatch (an independent comics blog).
The concept is fairly simple: we’re asking that everyone take an hour or two out of their day on August 28th… to read a comic book in a public setting—a park bench, a beach, a bus, the front steps of your local library (we do ask, however, that you be mindful of local loitering laws). Let strangers see you reading a piece of sequential art.

Take to the streets. Be proud. If someone asks what you’re reading, say, “a comic book” (the phrase “graphic novel is also acceptable, but let’s face it, it sort of defeats the whole purpose). Heck, lend them a book, if you’ve got an extra—what better way to make a new friend and convert a new reader?

I've seen a lot of buzz about it so far, NPR even picked up the story.  I like the purpose - awareness and not hiding.  If you are someone that hides their comic book inside a magazine or takes a novel for the subway ride, embrace this.  Do not care what people think, read with pride.  Just like Free Comic Book Day encourages mundanes to get comics and embrace them, this day will show the world that our numbers are large and that they are large because comics are awesome.  Maybe, just maybe, a kid whose parents don't read comic books will be drawn to you.  Maybe he or she will ask questions, and maybe you'll have an extra comic to share or you can tell the kid and his family about your favorite local comic book shop.

According to the Read Comics in Public site, a few comic book shops are even having special deals or giveaways.  Comic book readers are organizing meet-ups.  I bet this will make a splash this year and only get bigger.  We are Thor.  Feel our mighty hammer.


If you are a lady reading comics in public tomorrow, even better.  Have a friend or a stranger take a photo of you and submit it to Women Read Comics in Public.

Now, repeat this superhero vow that was definitely not influenced by a certain children's author after me:
I will read comics on the train.
I will use an umbrella to protect my comics if it rains.
I will read comics in the coffee shop.
I will read comics at the bus stop.
I will read comics while walking down the street.
I will share my love of comics with everyone I meet.
I will tell all about this day with a Tweet.

Remember, when you Tweet about tomorrow, use the official #readcomicsinpublic hashtag.