International Read Comics in Public Day Date in the current year: August 28, 2024

Comics are a medium that expresses ideas with images, which are often combined with textual devices. Comics have developed independently in many parts of the world and became mainstream in the early 20th century. Today, the three major comic book industries in the world are American comic books, Franco-Belgian comics (bandes dessinées), and Japanese comic and graphic novels (manga).

Comics come in different forms, formats and genres, but superhero comics are probably the most popular comics genre, at least in the Western world. They originated in the late 1930s following the debut of Superman in 1938 and Batman in 1939. The late 1930s and early 1940s are known as the Golden Age of Comic Books, and the resurgence of popularity of superhero comics in the late 1950s and 1960s is known as the Silver Age of Comic Books.

International Read Comics in Public Day was created in 2010 by Brian Heater and Sarah Morean, co-creators of an alternative comics website The Daily Cross Hatch featuring comic strips, reviews, news, interviews, and events coverage. They chose the date of August 28 to commemorate the birthday of Jack Kirby, an influential American comic book artist, writer and editor.

Jack Kirby is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and innovative comics creators. He is best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where he created a number of successful superhero characters, including Black Panther, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Iron Men, Thor, and the X-Men. Kirby also worked for Marvel’s main rival, DC Comics, where he created the New Gods.

The idea behind International Read Comics in Public Day is to remind people that comics are for everyone regardless of their age, gender or background, and that your love for comics isn’t something you should be ashamed of. So pick up your favorite comic book and read it on a bench in the park, on the subway, in a coffee shop, or at the library. And don’t forget to take a photo of yourself reading comics and post it on social media with the hashtags #InternationalReadComicsInPublic Day and #ReadComicsInPublic Day to spread the word and encourage others to observe the day.

Some comic book publishers and stores offer various promotions and host special events to celebrate International Read Comics in Public Day. Don’t miss out on their offers and don’t lose your chance to introduce as many of your friends to the wonderful world of comics as you can.

If you somehow miss International Read Comics in Public Day, don’t be upset. There are more comic-book themed holidays that you can celebrate! The closest one is National Comic Book Day in the United States, which is celebrated every September 25. Another one American comics-related observance is Free Comic Book Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of May.