Celebrate National Comic Book Day with sales, specials and more

Kathleen Christiansen, Orlando Sentinel
·4 min read

While many comic book enthusiasts may more commonly celebrate Free Comic Book Day (Aug. 14 this year) or the recently passed Batman Day on Sept. 18, there’s another reason to honor the art, the artists and the works. National Comic Book Day takes place annually on Sept. 25.

“If it’s a reason for people to come to a comic book shop, you better believe I’m all for it,” said Josh Dinkins, owner of Acme Superstore in Longwood.

Mark the occasion by reading a comic book, visiting a comic store or checking out these offerings across Central Florida.

Acme Superstore

Enjoy an appearance from artist Sam de la Rosa, who has worked for Marvel and DC Comics, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 25 at Acme Superstore in honor of National Comic Book Day.

If you go: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 25; 905 E. State Road 434 in Longwood; 407-331-0433; acme-superstore.com

BAMF Comics & Coffeehouse

BAMF Comics & Coffeehouse, Central Florida’s first and only comic book store and coffee shop, creates specialty coffee drinks inspired by pop culture, comics and films. So it makes sense that they’ll have free comic books and coffee specials on Sept. 25.

The store will offer the Dark Knight mocha coffee with triple loyalty points, a one-day-only non-caffeinated option called Poison Ivy and on-the-hour barista specials.

“There’s nothing better than reading a comic book and sipping a well-made Latté,” BAMF owner Candice Falkner-Craig, said in an email.

Normally the store hosts classes on the weekend, but in honor of the holiday, those activities will be on pause to keep the tables open for people to enjoy comics communally.

If you go: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 25; 500 E. Horatio Ave. in Maitland; 321-316-4296; facebook.com/bamfcomicstore

Caritas Comics

Caritas Comics will close its doors in October, but before they do, the store will host its final sales event on Sept. 25 in honor of National Comic Book Day.

“We had hoped to be a location where kids could come and learn about comic books, parents could come and reminisce about their childhood toys and share the moment with their kids,” owner Anthony Pierno-Main said in an email. “We wanted to have a store where local artists could share and sell their work. In short, we wanted to be part of the community.”

The Kissimmee shop will “heavily discount” every item, including comic books; Marvel and DC Comics action figures; Funko Pops; sci-fi and action collectibles; and handcrafted goods made by local artists. Customers who arrive in cosplay will receive an additional 10% off their purchase.

“We may even have a few surprises and giveaways in the shop for customers as a final farewell,” Pierno-Main said.

If you go: 1-7 p.m. Sept. 25; 3833 Pleasant Hill Road in Kissimmee; 407-818-8108; caritascomics.com

Gods & Monsters

Gods & Monsters will promote National Comic Book Day on social media, where customers can stay tuned for details regarding sales on the holiday.

If you go: 11 a.m.-11:50 p.m. Sept. 25; 5241 International Drive in Orlando; 407-270-6273; godmonsters.com

The Collective: A Comic & Game Community

With comic books left over from both Free Comic Book Day and Batman Day, The Collective: A Comic & Game Community will distribute these freebies on Sept. 25.

If you go: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 25; 520 W. S.R.-436, suite 1172, in Altamonte Springs; 407-637-2843; thecollectivecomics.com

West Orange Comics and Video Games

The festivities at West Orange Comics and Video Games will include free comic books and interactions with local artists.

If you go: 12-7 p.m. Sept. 25; 1575 Maguire Road, #108, in Ocoee; 407-741-3195; westorangecomicsandvideogames.com

Other places to visit

Not every comic book shop in Central Florida had concrete plans for Sept. 25, but the holiday is still a great opportunity to support these local businesses. Here are a few others to frequent.

  • Coliseum of Comics: 4672 Millenia Plaza Way in Orlando (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 25, 407-363-7676); 4303 East Colonial Drive in Orlando (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 25, 407-228-1210); 2511 Old Vineland Road in Kissimmee (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 25, 407-870-5322); 1730 E. Highway 50 in Clermont (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 25, 352-432-9209); 1517 Bartow Road in Lakeland (10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 25, 863-686-1350); coliseumofcomics.com

  • Comic Central: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 25; 1425 WP Ball Blvd. in Sanford; 407-321-5111; comic-central.com

  • Epic Comics: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 25; 570 N. Alafaya Trail, suite 106, in Orlando; 407-730-3742; epiccomicsonline.com

  • KRUM’s World Comics & Collectibles: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 25; 13750 W. Colonial Drive, suite 290, in Winter Garden; 407-614-1881; krumscomics.com

  • Living Dead Comics: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 25; 3227 Curry Ford Road in Orlando; 407-896-3323; facebook.com/LivingDeadComics

Want to reach out? Email me at kchristiansen@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.