There will be a special Free Comic Book Day celebration May 2 at Comics and Gaming in Gainesville; they will host Marvel Comics icon artist Sal Buscema, who will appear as a tribute to comic artist Herb Trimpe.
Trimpe, who was the first to draw the character X-Men character Wolverine for publication, died April 15 at the age of 75.
"Herb's long career speaks for itself. He has touched almost every Marvel and pop icon that I grew up with: Hulk, Wolverine, Gi Joe, the Defenders, Star Wars, Transformers, Avengers, Thor and my all-time favorite movie monster, Godzilla," Comics and Gaming owner Thomas Chillemi said.
According to Chillemi, Buscema, a friend and Gainesville resident, contacted him after Trimpe passed and offered to appear at the event in his place.
"Sal is one of the most humble artists I have ever met; Sal's work helped make Marvel what it is today," Chillemi said. "I can't speak enough of him as an artist and a person."
Chillemi said his store will have 10,000 copies of 50 titles to give away, including "Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles - Prelude to Vengeance," a relaunched "Avengers #1," "Secret Wars #0," "Spongebob Freestyle Funnies," "Transformers Robots in Disguise #0," DC Comics "Divergence", "Bob's Burgers" and "Dark Circle Comics #1."
He said the Hero Initiative will also be represented at Free Comic Book Day. The Hero Initiative is a not-for-profit consortium of comic publishers who help provide a financial security for comic creators.
"Hero Initiative is a much needed organization for the pioneers that have made this industry so special," he said. "The work Hero Initiative is doing is both impactful and incredible. I'm glad to be able to support them and hope this coming weekend is the first of many events with the organization."
Free Comic Book Day, which traditionally takes place on the first Saturday in May, was launched in 2001.
"The Gainesville store has been doing Free Comic Book since 2007; each year we have been able to reach a larger audience than the previous year," Chillemi said. "I've been supporting FCBD since 2001, the year it began!"
Chillemi said Cafe Bonjour, Lafayette Bakery and Tony's NY Pizza from Haymarket will be providing food throughout the event.
This year, the event is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The store is l located 7556 Gardner Park Drive.
Comics and Gaming also has locations in Fairfax, Fair Oaks Mall and Bethany Beach.
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