The line outside of Alter Ego Comics wrapped around the block as comic fans of all ages gathered to grab a few free comics for Alter Ego’s 12th annual Free Comic Book Day. Free Comic Book Day is an event that isn’t just a local thing - it’s celebrated all over the place.
"It's a national event held at about 2,300 stores in 60 different countries and we're the one here in Lima doing it," said Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comic.
Every year, Alter Ego supports a charity alongside passing out the free issues, and this year, the charity they decided to support has some personal roots with the store owner.
"The light bulb went off in my head that said we really need to collect donations for the Michael J. Fox Foundation this year in honor of my mom who's been living with Parkinson's for about five years and it's tough," Bowker said. "I now understand what it's like to have a family member with Parkinson's and I know that there are millions of people around the world and with that on the daily basis."
But it wasn’t just Alter Ego Comics that was in on the fun - several other downtown Lima businesses joined in to show people that downtown is the place to be.
Businesses all over downtown offered free comics and other goodies for fans to enjoy. It was also a way for those businesses, like Kelly’s Boutique, to let people see what kinds of merchandise they offer. "Marc and I and the rest of the businesses feel it's very important to increase downtown Lima and until that people know that we are here to bring them many different varieties of things," said Tim Spallinger, Co-Owner of Kelly’s Boutique.
And with sunny skies after all the rain - it was the perfect weather to sit back and enjoy reading some comics.
