A Greensboro comic book store and its supporters would like to see Greensboro become known as “Comic Book City USA” on Free Comic Book Day. That’s held annually on the first Saturday of May, when participating retailers give away comic books produced especially for the event. PR Consultant Brian Ewing says Greensboro’s Acme Comics is behind the Comic Book City designation as a means to encourage tourism and promote literacy.
"Acme is probably one of the largest shops on the east coast... certainly one of the largest in the southeast," Ewing says.
Comic book stores have been saddled with images like the character “Comic Book Guy” from The Simpsons, "But I think there's been a change in recent years, from the idea of people that live in their mom's basement... that's the joke you always hear. But if you were to come in on a Wednesday, you would see that there are elected officials, there are attorneys, there are a dozen or more teachers who are regulars at the comic book shop," he says.
According to Ewing, there are a lot of comic book fans in Greensboro. "The idea of Greensboro as Comic Book City USA is not some flight of fancy. There is a tremendous amount of support and interest and passion for this American art form in our community, in Greensboro."
And, Ewing says, there's been a very positive response from the city officials with whom he's spoken. "We've met with Mayor Perkins and Councilman Zack Matheny, whose district includes Acme Comics. Both the Mayor and the councilman were very very positive and very supportive for the idea."
Greensboro city council is tentatively scheduled to consider the Comic Book City resolution during its regular meeting on April 16.
