Free Comic Book Day 2007- 13th Anniversary
May 5th was a beautiful day. For once it wasn't too hot or rainy for Free Comic Book Day and the store's 13th Anniversary. Preperations began several days before so that everything would be ready with minimal effort Saturday morning. We had a lot going on and wanted to make sure it all went well. We had our biggest line for opening that we've ever had for Free Comic Book Day. It wasn't huge, but it was a line, and it set the tone for the rest of the day. People were coming and going throughout the morning picking up their free books, and as the morning went on, people started lingering in anticipation of our second Svengoolie appearance. This year we coordination some stuff with Dennis Druktenis, publisher of Scary Monster Magazine, since his 62nd issue was focused on Svengoolie. Dennis came out with his son to help us celebrate and to sign issues of the magazine with Svengoolie. Svengoolie was scheduled to sign from 2:00 until 4:00 but being the great guy he is, he stayed until everyone got an autograph, over an hour past his scheduled time. Rich Koz is a class act. Thanks to everyone who came out to spend the day with us.
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This years selection for Free Comic Book Day. We had two tables full at the start of the day, and by the end, we were pretty much down to half a table's worth of piles. |
This was actually the line to get in towards the end of the day, right around 3:15 or so. It was like this all day, between people there for their free comic books and the signing. |
Al's typical manner for greeting the customers. |
Our own personal Cartman, with some bad photoshopping help from me... |
Cheesecake with just a little extra cheese, you can figure out which is which. |
Our own Supergirl and Batgirl. They were around all day being a great help with the shoplifters and crowd control. |
The man they simply call "JIM", Svengoolie, Dennis Druktenis publisher of Scary Monster Magazine, and Al and their first attempt at a group shot. |
A couple of happy fans |
Svengoolie looks worried for some reason |
Dude, I don't have to tell you that going out in public dressed like that, WITHOUT a doctors order....well that just ain' t right. |
Sven’s bank just called to inform him that the check Al wrote him cleared... |
...and I make this chicken payable to ...? |
Not the most perfect picture, but it's that signing guy and one of our regulars |
Rick's not so convincing attempt to tell folks that it's only one of each free book, no multiple copies |
Al looks at the magazine and says"Hey, you know what, we should have this guy into the store for a signing!!"
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True Superfriends |
The New Stooges |
Sven's first taste of McHenry water.... |
...man this stuff is hard to chew. |
"And they call Svengoolie the talent? He's nothing without me, nothing I tell you" |
Their second and last attempt to reform as a group for their official event photo. Much arguing takes place regarding who gets stuck standing next to Al. After this they all ended up going on their separate ways- this was a collective that women will lament over and children will sing songs about...or sane people will try to entirely strip from their collective memories. Actually 3 out of the 4 went on to bigger and better things, one went back to his desk in the shop's office,but we won't name names (we don't want to single Al out). |
Svengoolie and a group of young fans |
McHenry water, it teaches you to chew your food thoroughly |
How do you spell V-a-m-p-i-r-a? |
Our typical messed up group shot (for those who care, yes the shop was built on a hill) |
Svengoolie finds out that he's getting his appearance fee in POGS |
Mirror Mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest of them all? |
Hen, Jenn, Sven & Gen |
Everyone is having a good time |
Svengoolie and Joel (one of our photographers son) |
A fan brings in a painting of the much maligned "Joe" |
Sven had the girls convince Al that POGS were not an appropriate appearance fee, fortunately for Al, he never carries change in his pockets. |
According to Svengoolie, we have the cleanest bathroom that he has ever seen in a comic book shop, in McHenry...more specifically on Main Street in McHenry. |
Special thanks go out to our photographers for the day, Jim Pierce, Tiara Thayer and Isaac Thayer. Jim is our usual event photographer, but was busy with videotaping things, so I gave my digital camera to the Thayer kids and had them snap away. Those kids took over 200 pictures it was hard to select the few we got to post here. Thanks to all of you for coming, and to everyone who helped out, this Free Comic Book Day and Svengoolie appearance helped make our 13th Anniversary extra special. |
Finally after three tries, we got our act together |
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