Read a comic in public Sunday

Sunday is International Read Comics in Public Day – where are you going to take your comics?

Last year, I headed up to my local diner for lunch and some light reading, but I never got to read my “Rocketeer” graphic novel because the woman sitting next to me struck up a conversation about comics, Spider-Man and Wonder Woman. I thought that was great — that seems to be the whole point of the holiday.

Despite the strides comics have made in the mainstream world the last several years, there’s still a stigma attached to reading them. Two bloggers at the Daily Cross Hatch are trying to help break the cycle of imposed nerdiness by asking people everywhere to read a comic book or two or three in a public place this Sunday, Aug. 28, which is also legendary artist Jack Kirby’s birthday.

Here’s their plea:

“The concept is fairly simple: we’re asking that everyone take an hour or two out of their day on August 28th (also the birthday of Jack “King” Kirby, incidentally) to read a comic book in a public setting-a park bench, a beach, a bus, the front steps of your local library (we do ask, however, that you be mindful of local loitering laws). Let strangers see you reading a piece of sequential art.

“Take to the streets. Be proud. If someone asks what you’re reading, say, ‘a comic book’ (the phrase ‘graphic novel’ is also acceptable, but let’s face it, it sort of defeats the whole purpose). Heck, lend them a book, if you’ve got an extra — what better way to make a new friend and convert a new reader?”

You can also have a friend snap a photo and send it to them.

For my part, I’ll be pretty busy Sunday holed up inside buildings, but I’ll bring my comics with me and see if I can get a photo to post on the blog next week.