Transcript Staff

Saturday is national Free Comic Book Day.

The hometown public libraries of the Pioneer Library System are celebrating by giving a free comic book to every customer who checks out a book from the teen collection that day.

The event is a single day when participating comic book shops and libraries around the world give away books to promote interest in the comic and graphic novel formats. The libraries join thousands of comic book shops around the world celebrating the comic book art form.?

On Free Comic Book Day, more than 2 million comic books will be given away by participating stores, introducing as many people as possible to the wonders of comic books. From super-heroes to slice-of-life to action/adventure and beyond, Free Comic Book Day has a comic book for everyone.

The free comics distributed through the libraries have been donated by Atomik Pop and Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, by Movies, Music and Heros in Moore, and by Bibliotech Books and Comics in Shawnee. All the stores will also be giving away comics Saturday.?

Regular updates, information about comic books, and a list of participating publishers and their free comics are all online at www.FreeComicBookDay.com .?

Comic books began as a unique American art form that has spread around the globe. These days, there are comic books for every taste, from slam-bang super-hero adventures to quiet slice-of-life to thrilling science fiction to intense drama.

"Comic books and graphic novels are considered hip, hot, and smart," said Pioneer Library System Teen Librarian Kate Lyon.

"If it's been a while since you've read a comic book, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the breadth of variety available. Comic Books are at the front ranks of pop culture, many being adapted into movies. Ironman hits the big screen Friday, the day before Free Comic Book Day. The first weekend of May is going to be a big day in the comic book world."

The Pioneer Library System introduced a graphic novel collection for teenagers in October 2002. For more information about the graphic novel collection or any of the programs and services available at the library, visit any Pioneer Library or log on to www.justsoyouknow.us .