Rupp's Comics has celebrated Free Comic Book Day since 2006

FREMONT − Chris Rupp, the owner of Rupp’s Comics, hosted his 17th Free Comic Book Day on Saturday.

By turning his passion into a career, Chris Rupp and his family hope to spread the joy of reading and the gift of literacy to the community.

“To me, the whole purpose behind Free Comic Book Day is to come and try comics. Not just kids but people of all ages,” Rupp said.

In the store, at 335 N. Ohio Ave. on top of the hill, everything was separated from G, PG, T up to R rated. That way, when a parent comes in, they know what’s appropriate. There was an assortment that anyone could get excited about, with comics featuring the Smurfs, Dog Man and the League of Misfits (a spinoff from Dav Pilkey’s "Captain Underpants Series"), Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends to Fright Night, Red Sonja, Star Trek, Star Wars, and even Conan the Barbarian.

Rupp’s Comics has a long history of Free Comic Book Day, starting in 2006, just four years after Free Comic Book Day began, and it has been a town treasure ever since.

Free Comic Book Day began in California in 2002

Free Comic Book Day originated in California by a man named Joe Field in 2002 after he saw a long line of people at Baskin-Robbins waiting for a free scoop of ice cream. He knew a sound marketing tactic when he saw one, and so, with the help of Diamond Comic Distributors, Free Comic Book Day was founded.

Typically, this single-day event takes place on the first Saturday of May, and it is no wonder that many superhero films release around this time. More than 2.000 comic book retailers across North America participate and give millions of comic books away annually. Free Comic Book Day aims to bring in new readers, pay homage to old readers, and give thanks to current comic book enthusiasts.

“These are books that are created just for today. Not just old books or old stock that we have. They have the Free Comic Book Day logo on them, and they’re specifically created and distributed this year. There’s everything from Avengers to Spiderman Venom, and a new DC book from DC comics,” Rupps said. Free Comic Book Day is a great way to draw people in and give back to the community.

Rupp's Comics now participates in shows in Italy and France

From its own humble beginnings, Rupp’s Comics started in Fremont and has grown into an international brand, participating in shows around Italy and France.

Chris Rupp started his business at age 19. He decided to take his college savings and open a store. His first shop was at the old lawn and garden department store on State Street and Oak Harbor Road, with no bathroom, barely any heat or air conditioning, in a 550-square-foot store. “It was mostly sports cards and a little bit of comics. I at least knew that much, to diversify,” Rupp recalled.

Within two years, he realized he could not compete with the other sports card stores in Fremont, so he shifted his focus to comic books. Thirty-two years later, he is still at it.

“It is still amazing. It’s one of those things that I still go — I’m selling comic books for a living. And it takes me all over the world. I leave for Italy next week; I’m doing a comics art festival over there… it’s something I never imagined.”

While Rupp grew up as an “X-Men kid,” and he still loves the X-Men books, what he loves most about comic books is that there is so much variety. “It’s anything from science fiction to westerns to mob-type; that’s why I tell everyone there’s something for anybody. Free Comic Book Day is primarily about getting people to try reading, to get back to reading. Stop looking at your cell phone and take a break, relax, and enjoy. And this is a day where we can do it; there are no strings attached.”

He has two full warehouses, and underneath the comic book shop is a basement that houses 1.5 million comics. Rupp also finds a use for the leftover free comic books after Free Comic Book Day ends. “We save them and end up giving them away through other charities. I will always offer product donations.”

Rupp’s Comics donates to schools, libraries, and public charities. One charitable organization that’s close to the Rupps’ heart is Camp Fire, a national youth organization. Chris’s wife, Jen Rupp, is a board member of Camp Fire and together they donate comics to help get comic books in the hands of kids and help with fundraising efforts.

For those who could not visit Rupps Comics during the Free Comic Book Day, the shop will continue to have the Free Comic Book Day comics available throughout the week.

Aside from a selection of free comics, posters, and event swag, Rupp’s also sells premium comics, some dating back to the 1960s, action figures, anime, and Pokémon cards. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or stop by their stand at Motor City Comicon in Detroit on May 19 to May 21.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Free Comic Book Day draws fans of all ages to Rupp's in Fremont