May 3, 2008 was Free Comic Book Day. I spent the day working at The Laughing Ogre, a comic book store in Columbus where I work one Saturday a month. Free Comic Book Day has been getting bigger every year, and even though the weather was pretty lousy and rainy, we still had a ton of people walking through the door. I decided to take a bunch of pictures, mostly because this web site is sort of turning into my own digital diary, but also to share with you all some of the strangeness, lunacy, and surrealism of Free Comic Book Day. Here in chronological order are my photos, complete with "witty" commentary, of Free Comic Book Day 2008...
Matt K.
The image that greeted me when I walked in the door ready to work. Shannon K. is obviously ready for the masses.
Store manager and co-owner Jason recently became a proud father. This is his baby boy Milo looking uncannily like a reincarnated Barry Allen. The Fastest Baby Alive!
Yes, folks, it's Captain Ohio. Ah, the great Midwest.
Captain Ohio poses with his posse.
Another of the store's managers (we've got three of them), Lloyd, also ready for the masses.
Here's Lloyd shamelessly flirting with a female customer. I kid, I kid! I am sure Lloyd was being entirely professional and engaging in a high level of customer service here. Besides, he is very happily involved in a serious relationship with a sweet librarian named Molly.
Typical Stang behavior.
I really don't even know what to say about this one. Possibly "He reeks of blood and thunder." Possibly.
Tom Williams stops in to check out the free comics.
Stang is just picking up steam (apparently his hangover is wearing off) while Shannon is beginning to peter out.
We had some face painters there and they were making everyone look like comic book characters. This is part-timer Jen R. as Poison Ivy.
Here's a whole bunch of people snagging free comics.
Lloyd works the crowd. This guy has seriously missed his calling as a snake-oil salesman.
The dream team behind the Free Comics table for most of the day. Don't fuck with these guys.
The dream team in a lighter moment.
One half of the face painting set.
The other half of the face painting set.
Poison Ivy Jen R. and her even more evil twin.
Batman decides he wants a sub sandwich.
Batman, in a pensive moment of wistful solitude.
Always helpful, Batman gives directions to the nearest Wal-Mart.
One of our guests getting her face painted.
This other part-timer Jamie is seriously like 13 feet tall. I think he's actually on his knees in the picture.
Superhero secret identity scandals revealed.
Lloyd is ALWAYS on his A-game.
Iron Man thinking about Pepper Potts.
Iron Man thinking about Obadiah Stane.
I have no idea who this dude is. He is a regular customer and I see him every month but he never says much of anything to me. He was in the store all day videotaping everything for posterity. Even me changing my shirt. Look for that footage soon. Yum!
The truth revealed...Shannon K. is a muppet.
Dad Jason and son Milo.
Son Milo and dad Jason.
Hey, I thought he was dead! Maybe this is Bucky.
The Avengers...and Joker?
Yeah, I guess it really does, doesn't it?
The Phantom eating a tossed salad.
Hanna getting her face painted.
Jesus Christ, run for your life!!!
