This Halloween, go on spook-filled adventures with Archie, Scooby-Doo, the Dynamic Duo and the Cutie Mark Crusaders by picking up free comic books during Halloween ComicFest on Oct. 25.
Visitors to participating comic book stores can choose from 19 free Halloween- or horror-themed comics. (Selection at stores vary.)
Four local retailers are participating in this year’s event: Other Realms LTD at Ward Warehouse, Collector Maniacs and Gecko Books & Comics in Kaimuki, and Dragon’s Lair in Mililani. In addition to the comic book giveaway, Other Realms will have a special event from 2 to 6 p.m. featuring cosplay and a prize drawing for the hardcover book "Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years" ($40 value). Dragon’s Lair will have four local artists doing in-store drawing from 10 a.m. to noon.
The 12 full-size comic books and seven mini comics vary from a kid-friendly "My Little Pony" adventure to mature titles, like the zombie apocalyptic "Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire."
Fans of the Caped Crusader could choose two full-sized comic books featuring the DC superhero. In "Scooby Doo Team-Up" No. 1, everyone’s favorite cowardly, crime-solving canine and the rest of the Mystery Machine gang cross paths with Batman and Robin, who are on the trail of the monsterous Man-Bat.
The other comic, "Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special," is an excerpt from the first chapter of the critically acclaimed graphic novel "Batman: Haunted Knight," which features the Gotham crime-fighter trying to stop the Scarecrow, the Mad Hatter, the Penguin, Poison Ivy and the Joker.
Marvel fans get a little something, too. The Human Torch is featured in a reprinting of the 1939 "Marvel Comics" No. 1, and Spider-Man, Captain America and Wolverine are among the heroes who must battle evildoers like Ultron, Galactus and Doctor Doom in the reprint of the 1984 classic "Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars" No. 1.
Last year, more than 1,400 comic shops around the world took part in Halloween ComicFest, which is now in its third year. For more information on the event, visit halloweencomicfest. com.
