Creatures abound in numerous locations.
After a year's absence, Free Comic Book Day is back again on Saturday. The 13th edition of this event, with a focus on children's comics, promises to be filled with excitement and adventure. This year, participating bookshops and magazine stores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will be offering free comic book samples from ten different publishers.
Free Comic Book Day has become an annual event, much like Halloween or Christmas, but it's not just for grown-ups. In recent years, the popularity of comics among children has surged, with an increasing number of new publishers and even established houses creating child-friendly comic series. To celebrate this growth in the children's comics market, this year's event is dedicated to showcasing a diverse range of comics suitable for kids of all ages - from fantasy and horror to action and adventure, drama, and humor. Here are four of the 21 comics you can expect to find:
Ophelia and the sea monster
In "Ophelia and the sea monster," young Ophelia finds herself in a new foster family when she encounters a mysterious underwater creature. Her curiosity leads her on an exciting journey with the help of an old fisherman, as they search for the animal and a missing boy who vanished while diving. Loewe Graphix's "Krypto - Mysterious Sea Creatures" by Norwegian Hans Jorgen Sandnes, winner of the Leipzig Reading Compass 2024, is praised for its engaging storyline and stunning illustrations. The story focuses not only on fantasy elements but also tackles the real-life struggles of a foster child, making it a moving comic for kids and adults alike.
A young space explorer
"Little Perry" is a spin-off of the long-running Perry Rhodan series, a space adventure story that's been captivating readers since 1961. In this kid-friendly version, Perry Rhodan himself stars as a young boy dreaming of exploring the vastness of the universe. When he finds himself aboard the spaceship "Stardust" with his best friend, the mouse beaver Gucky, their journey takes them to the moon, where they meet a girl from a distant planet named Arkon. This series will appeal to all young space fans, even though some of the drawings may feel a bit too alien and sterile at times.
Time-traveling Viking invades suburbia
"Gorm Grimm" is a new children's comic created by Kibitz-Verlag, a German publishers who made a splash in the kids' comics market just two years ago. This series, by Patrick Wirbeleit and Kim, follows the adventures of a timeless Viking named Gorm Grimm, who finds himself transported to the present day after a shaman's spell goes wrong. As Gorm attempts to adjust to a modern world full of cars, computers, and smartphones, he also faces the challenges of making friends and conquering his hunger, much to the amusement of his new-found friend, Julius.
Elle's identity crisis
"Elle(s)" is a story of a girl who experiences a complex identity crisis. With six distinct personalities, Elle's journey to understand who she really is proves to be difficult. As she adjusts to a new school and forms friendships with her classmates, they discover that Elle has been replaced on several occasions. Filled with humor and emotion, this award-winning comic by Kid Toussaint and Aveline Stokart serves as a powerful exploration of dissociative identity disorder, a mental health condition not often covered in children's comics. The color coding of the different personalities enhances the comic's readability and visual appeal.
These are just a few of the many comics that will be available for free this Saturday. Also included in the mix are old favorites like Idefix and the Indomitable, a reunion with the Asterix universe; a Donald Duck magazine to celebrate 90 years of the beloved character; and superhero comics featuring Batman and Spider-Man. For manga fans, there's a special day dedicated to them on September 21st. Dive into the world of comics and discover these amazing stories for kids and adults alike!
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After exploring various comics at the event, one might decide to write a review of their favorite, such as the comic "Elle(s)" by Kid Toussaint and Aveline Stokart, which provides a unique perspective on dissociative identity disorder. The bookstore is a great destination for entertainment, offering a wide range of comic books for both children and adults on Free Comic Book Day.
Source: www.ntv.de
