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= B OPINION =COMIC BOOKS ARE A & PLAYGROUND OF THE = IMAGINATION, WRITES MARSHALL MARSHALL WARD Column A friend, knowing I'ma longtime collector of comic books, recently gifted me ome gems featuring Won- der Woman, Spider-Man and Avengers comics. For me, one of the only things better than buyinga great comic is getting one for free! THIS IS A JOB FOR SUPERMAN!: So I'm excited for the re- turn of Free Comic Book Day on May 6. Im usually one of the first People t in Une at Car. ry-On Comi id Bool in uptown Waterloo, note ing for the doors to open. t's promo- tional effort in the | North American comic book in- dustry to help bring new readers to independent comic book stores like Car- ry-On Comics. Comic Book Day aiwayse Als: me with nostal- incredible Falk pata, Flash, xX Men, Aquaman, Fantastic Four, Black Panther, The Mighty . _ahor and, of course, Superman, who de- buted in “Action Comics #1 in June 1938. The Action Comics #1 issue includes the story of Superman's origins and is considered to be the start of the superhero genre, and of the fledgling comic book industry. y favourite Pook about classic comics, Comic Books You Must Read," author Tony Isabel- writes: “There were Giant “Took mnucl tike Ac- tion Comics #1. Yet it re- mains my firm conviction that it was the son of Jor-E] who took what could easily ve been a passing fad and made it a permanent parte on ‘our national scene." erman was andisan amen story, and I've always been fascinated by the origins of its creation. "Superman was a bridg i between comic strips and the true comic books," writes Isabella. "The last son of Krypton was created by Cleveland teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1933. The high school buddies, who FINEST. Yornie ey Marshall Ward photo Marshall Ward's collection of Superman comic books. Superman debuted in Action Comics #1 in June 1938. eames on their school xr and various science- Retion fanzines, tried for years without success to sell Superman as a news- paper comic strip. In Isabella's book, he chronicles how Siegel and Shuster were determined and eventually broke into the new medium of comic books with Superman, that led to "The Man of Steel" appearing on the cover of the landmark Action Com- ics #1 issue. Ayrare edition of Action Comics #1 sold for a record FREE COMIC BOOK DAY RETURNS IN MAY $3.25 million in 2021, mak- ing it the world's most valuable comic book. It is believed that only about 100 copies of the comic still e xist. "The Man of Steel's fame and subsequent for- tune led to the creation of hundreds of other champions with powers and abilities far be- yond those of ordinary men and women," writes Isabella. Comic books are a play- ground of the imagination. ether you're a collector or a complete newcomer, you're likely to find some- thing you'll love at Free Comic Book Day. Look for me there — at the front of e line. Marshall Ward is a Freelance writer and artist. Check out his award-win- ning podcast at bonnpark- -com. SAVE 59% ON HOME DELIVERY 6-Day access to the Waterloo Region Record ePaper! WATERLOO REGION RECORD Friday & Satu *Plus HST. Save 59% off th waterloochronicle.ca \d rate for Friday and Saturday to the Waterloo Region Record ePaper edition and therecord.com. The New Tk Times Internationa Weekly and Book Review 12-month introductory period at the regular home-delivery rate then in effect. Cot our subscriber agreement at therecord.com/agreement and our privacy policy at thestar.com/privacy. Offer expires April 30, 2023. day Home Delivery $ T 9 9g WEEK! Subscribe at: wroffer.ca/deal/CNWRI199 or call 1-800-210-5210 and mention offer code: CNWRI199 is not available to current Waterloo Region Record subscribers. This offer includes complimentary access section and TV Week are not included. ntact customer service at 1-800-210-5210 to get the regular rate for your area. Payment must be made by credit card only. View Home delivery will continue after the