At 11 a.m., the line was getting long, and the store was just about ready to let customers in. When you first walk around the CollectorsInk, you’re immediately met with comics, manga and tall glass containers displaying figures from all sorts of series, such as the “Batman: Arkham Knight” series and “Star Wars: The Mandalorian.”
CollectorsInk, located along the Nord highway in Chico, hosted Free Comic Book Day on May 2, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and May 3, noon to 5 p.m. They gave out a selection of free comics to choose from while holding in-store sales. They also hosted local and veteran comic book artists who signed prints and conversed with customers.
At the entrance, Michelle Reifert, the wife of the owner, Jason Reifert, who has been running this event since 2002, greets customers and handles the register. Michelle had help; her own mother, Rose Sanchez, was lending a hand while also attending her very first Free Comic Book Day.
Sanchez has been helping out with the store for about 15 years, despite not necessarily being into comics. She is just trying to support her daughter with something she loves. Sanchez lives in Weed, Calif., all the way in Siskiyou County, making the journey to come and enjoy Free Comic Book Day with her family.
“I love the people, especially all the different things that they (CollectorsInk) have up and out. It’s always exciting to see people and their excitement,” Sanchez said.
Bill Lear, a customer, said he came with his wife and two kids to collect Cable comics (Marvel), but also for his children to check out the manga section.
“The younger ones are into anime and manga more than the comic book side of things. I’m a comic book collector,” Lear said.
The event was a way for long-time collectors and hobbyists to geek out, but it also acted as a gateway for the younger generation to read and enjoy comics just as much.
Free Comic Book Day gave new comic artists a chance to shine, such as Omak Vera and Josh Dujordan, both of whom are local artists getting their foot in the door of the comic world.
This event gave famous comic artist Terry Shoemaker a chance to return to the world of comics. Shoemaker came to this event with his wife, Deniese Shoemaker, to sell and sign various pieces of artwork he created while working for DC, Marvel, and Jim Lee. Shoemaker has worked on many iconic comics, such as Cloak & Dagger, Akira, various Deadpool and X-Men comics.
“In the ‘80s and ‘90s, I was lucky enough to work for Marvel and DC, and Jim Lee and all the big, big guys. Now that my wife’s retired, we’re getting back into it,” Terry said.
Free Comic Book Day was the perfect time, especially since CollectorsInk and the Shoemakers already knew each other.
“We’ve known Jason (current owner) since he was a teenager, and his mom, Beverly (original owner), they would run the store,” Deniese said.
While a lot of people come to Free Comic Book Day for free comics, for CollectorsInk, it’s more than just the comic; it’s the community that makes this event worth it. Artists not only have the chance to get their name out there but also give back to the community in which they grew up. CollectorsInk had comics, but they also had a sense of community, letting long-time customer Dustin Murgia, who has been going for 10 years, help them with social media for four years.
“If you really want a comic shop that’s going to make you feel like family, you just walk in the door and the second you do, that’s what CollectorsInk does and that’s always why I come back,” Murgia said.
From Marvel and DC to the mighty pen, Free Comic Book Day was a celebration of creativity and community.
Emilio Ceja can be reached at [email protected]
