If you’ve ever wondered if Chewbacca could beat the Hulk, now’s your chance to find out as the City of San Diego Public Library hosts its first ever “Star Wars Super Hero Sci-Fi Showdown” during Free Comic Book Day and Star Wars Day on May 4.
All City of San Diego libraries will be giving away one comic book to each library patron while supplies last. San Diego-based IDW Publishing is providing the 5,000 comic books and patrons will have two titles from which to choose. This annual event has expanded from fewer than 20 library locations to all City libraries. This year, library patrons are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Star Wars character or super hero. At noon, a “showdown” between both groups will occur at all 36 library locations. The fanbase with the most members to show up for a photo opportunity will win bragging rights to the contest.
“With the popularity of Star Wars and super heroes we felt this was a unique opportunity for sci-fi fans to express their love of the genre and support literacy at the same time,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “This is one of those rare occasions where Free Comic Book Day and the unofficial Star Wars holiday “May the Fourth” happen to fall on the same day, so we wanted to celebrate both.”
The San Diego Public Library has more than 40,000 graphic novels and comic books in its collection and considers these types of books as effective tools to promote literacy across the community, especially among young readers.
In July, the Library will partner with Comic-Con International to host the Comics Conference for Educators and Librarians. Details about this conference, which will be held at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, will be available in June.